Additional casinos could see approval to allow locals to gamble on their gaming floors
Vietnam is weighing plans to broaden its casino pilot program, potentially granting more locals the chance to participate in regulated gaming. At present, Vietnamese citizens can legally gamble only at a single casino on Phu Quoc Island. The Ministry of Finance has proposed extending that access to two additional resorts: the Grand Ho Tram in Ba Ria-Vung Tau and the upcoming Sun Group project in Van Don.
The proposal, reported by local outlet Lao Dong, outlines a five-year trial for both properties. Under the plan, Vietnamese citizens meeting certain financial criteria would be able to play at these resorts once they are operational. This approach mirrors the initial pilot that allowed entry at Phu Quoc, but with stricter financial conditions.
If approved, locals would be required to pay VND2.5 million ( US$100) for 24 hours of casino access, or VND50 million (US$2,000) for a monthly pass. The daily fee represents a significant increase, at 2.5 times the current rate. These requirements are intended to balance access with responsible gambling safeguards.
Other restrictions would remain unchanged. Eligible players must be at least 21 years old and cannot be on any exclusion lists, whether self-imposed or initiated by family members. Operators would also need to maintain around-the-clock camera surveillance, storing recordings for at least 180 days to ensure regulatory compliance.
The Grand Ho Tram is currently open only to foreign guests, located a few hours from Ho Chi Minh City, while Van Don’s integrated resort carries a development cost of US$2 billion and is expected to be completed by 2032. By expanding the pilot, officials hope to evaluate whether controlled access for Vietnamese citizens can generate economic benefits without creating long-term social risks.
