Vietnam mulls allowing its citizens to gamble in casinos again

Under a new government plan, Vietnamese nationals could be permitted to gamble at two casinos in the country: Grand Ho Tram near Ho Chi Minh City and Van Don, under construction in Quang Ninh Province.

The Vietnam Ministry of Finance is considering more widespread domestic gambling options for Vietnamese citizens, with restrictions.

Local media outlet Laodong.vn cited a draft resolution from the Vietnam Ministry of Finance. It states that citizens who meet unspecified financial requirements can “play in casinos in Van Don and Ho Tram on a pilot basis for a period of five years from the date of operation”. The ministry did not confirm a timetable for implementation.

Vietnam now has nine casinos, all open only to foreigners. Grand Ho Tram, near Ho Chi Minh City, opened in 2013.

Van Don, a project of the Sun Group, is under development in Quang Ninh Province. Phase 1 of the VND51.6 billion (US$2 billion) resort is to open in 2027, with completion expected in mid-2032. XeToday reports that the casino will include 214 casino tables and 2,140 slot machines.

Second time around for locals gaming

In 2016, the Politburo approved a three-year pilot allowing locals to gamble at two casinos: the Corona in Kien Giang Province, and Van Don, which was still in the planning stages.

To enter, locals had to show proof of monthly income exceeding VND10 million. They also had to pay a VND1 million entry fee to enter over a 24-hour period. The programme was soon derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. And although the government later extended the trial through 2024, it produced lacklustre results and was suspended in January.

Tim Nguyen, director of Fortuna Investments, told SCCG Management, “The reactivation of the Van Don project [and the] extension of the locals entry pilot signal a strong move toward a more commercially viable gaming sector.”

Reports suggest Vietnam may remove proof-of-income requirements and increase casino entry fees to VND2.5 million per day or VND50 million per month.