Golf Transfers: Which Vehicle for Your Group and Bags

For a golf group the first question is not how many people but how many bags, and whether there are suitcases too. Golf bags are long and rigid and do not stack like suitcases, so a vehicle with enough seats can still run out of room. This guide is about choosing the vehicle: the Kia Carnival, 9-seat Limousine, 16-seat van and 29-seater compared by group size, plus common cases such as two courses in a day, courses out of town and airport arrivals heading straight to the tee.

Updated 21 October 2026. Written by the Car Rental Vietnam operations team from day-to-day dispatch experience and checked against current regulations. Traffic rules can change; check again before you travel.

The rule: count bags first, people second

A standard golf bag is about as long as the width of the luggage area in many 7-seat cars, so it often has to go lengthways or the rear seats folded. Fold the last row and you lose seats. So:

• Count golf bags first, then add suitcases, shoe bags and change bags.
• For airport-to-course runs, add the large suitcases.
• Hard travel covers are bigger than ordinary bags; mention them.

The driver helps load and unload; caddies are arranged by the course.

Quick guide by group

These are dispatch rules of thumb; bag sizes vary, so the exact count is confirmed with the quote.

Kia Carnival: small groups who want comfort

The Carnival is a sliding-door MPV with roomy second-row seats and a deeper luggage area than an ordinary 7-seater. For 3–4 golfers with bags only, it feels like a private family car and is easy to climb into after 18 holes. With large airport suitcases as well, four golfers should move up a size.

9-seat Limousine: longer drives

The 9-seat Limousine is a van with deep-reclining seats and space for about 6–8 suitcases at the back. For 4–5 golfers heading to courses 2–3 hours away, such as Phan Thiet or Da Lat, it lets everyone rest on the way back. With a small group, some bags can sit on empty seats.

16 and 29-seaters: bigger groups and tournaments

A 16-seat van is the safe choice for 5–8 golfers: a wide aisle and a row or two can be given over to bags. For a company tournament of 10–16 players, a 29-seater keeps everyone together and the under-floor hold takes the bags neatly.

Since 1 August 2026 central Da Lat restricts coaches with more than 29 seats (Notice 934/TB-SXD of the Lam Dong Department of Construction). A 29-seater is not affected; if your group needs a 45-seater, pick-up points in the centre are agreed in advance.

Two courses in a day and multi-day trips

Two courses in one day

Send both tee times. The driver allows for the drive between courses plus lunch, showers and changing. Keeping one vehicle for the whole day is usually simpler than two separate bookings.

Multi-day golf trips

For example three days on courses around Ho Chi Minh City and then Phan Thiet. The quote states the driver's daily hours and accommodation. Drivers may not drive more than 4 hours continuously, so long legs include a break.

Airport straight to the course

Send the flight number; the driver tracks the landing and there is no airport waiting fee. With suitcases, use the right-hand column of the table above.

Why the wrong vehicle spoils a round

The usual mistake is booking by headcount. Four golfers book a 7-seater, thinking there are three spare seats. At loading they find four bags will not lie in the back without folding the last row, which leaves five seats and someone's suitcase at their feet. Fine for 30 minutes; on a two-hour drive to Long Thanh or Ho Tram everyone is tired before the first tee.

The second is forgetting what comes back: wet shoes, a change of clothes, shopping from the pro shop. A vehicle that was a tight fit going out is cramped coming home. Choose one with about one spare place for bags beyond your calculation.

Courses around Ho Chi Minh City

Groups in the city usually play within one to two hours: courses around Thu Duc, near Tan Son Nhat airport, in former Binh Duong (now part of Ho Chi Minh City) and at Long Thanh in Dong Nai. Further out, Phan Thiet, Ho Tram and Da Lat make weekend trips.

• City courses: short drives, but rush hour matters. Early tee times are quick; afternoon ones can be slow.
• Long Thanh area: easy by expressway; the eastern exits can be busy at weekends.
• Distant courses (Phan Thiet, Da Lat): stay overnight; the vehicle waits or returns on schedule.

Each club has its own drop-off area and driver parking. Drivers who know the route take you to the right clubhouse entrance and carry bags to the bag drop.

Golf for business travellers and visitors

Many visitors fit a round into a business trip. A few things make the day smoother:

1. Send the hotel and course names in Latin letters with the tee time; the driver works out the pick-up.
2. If you are renting clubs at the course, say so, and the vehicle can be smaller.
3. Hard travel cases are large; some 4-seat cars will not take them.
4. Going straight to the airport after the round? Book a vehicle with room for suitcases and bags, and leave time to shower and change.

Drivers speak basic English; for special requests, message in advance so dispatch can pass them on clearly.

Company tournaments: running several vehicles

An internal tournament of 40–60 golfers needs several vehicles at once. What works:

• Vehicles by pick-up point: one for hotel A, one for office B, rather than one vehicle looping everywhere.
• Staggered arrivals: with group tee times, vehicles arrive 15–20 minutes apart so the bag drop does not jam.
• One coordinator: the company names one person to hold the list and talk to drivers.
• Evening prize dinner: book the vehicles to wait or return, and remind guests who have been drinking not to drive themselves.

The contract states vehicles, working hours and waiting charges, with one 8% VAT invoice for the programme.

Bags and safety

Bags inside the cabin must be secured, never left loose on a seat, because under hard braking they can fall onto passengers. The driver lays bags in the rear area or last row and wedges them. Expensive clubs should have head covers; if you are worried about scratches, use a padded travel bag.

While the vehicle waits in the car park, keep wallets, phones and watches with you or in the clubhouse, not in the car.

Weekend golf in Phan Thiet or Da Lat

A two-day golf trip out of the city usually means: early Saturday departure and an afternoon round; a morning round on Sunday and back to the city in the afternoon. Phan Thiet is about three hours by expressway. Da Lat is much further, so consider flying to Lien Khuong and booking a car from the airport.

A vehicle kept for two days is quoted with the driver's accommodation. Within the agreed working hours the driver can take the group to dinner or into town; outside them, ask in advance. VinFast EVs are available, but for long trips with many bags a larger petrol or diesel vehicle usually suits better.

Booking and price

Chauffeur quotes include fuel, tolls and the driver. Every quote gets 10% off and companies can have an 8% VAT invoice. The fleet runs model years 2022–2025, with VinFast EVs for short city runs.

When booking, send: number of golfers, number of bags, any suitcases, tee time, course, pick-up point, and whether the driver waits or returns. For timing, read how to plan golf pick-ups from the city, see the golf course transfer service, or compare the Limousine and the 16-seater.

Frequently asked questions

What should four golfers book?

Bags only: a Kia Carnival or 9-seat Limousine. With airport suitcases too: a 16-seat van.

How many golf bags fit in a 7-seater?

Usually 3–4 with the rear row folded, which reduces the seats.

Does the driver wait during the round?

Either wait or return for a second pick-up; agree it when booking.

Can you handle a company tournament?

Yes. Send headcount, bag count and pick-up list; 8% VAT invoice available.

Are tolls included?

Yes. Chauffeur quotes include fuel, tolls and the driver, with 10% off every quote.

Is a 29-seater restricted in Da Lat?

No. The rule in force since 1 August 2026 covers coaches with more than 29 seats; for a 45-seater, central pick-ups are agreed in advance.