The change would allow locals to gamble at the casino, expanding a pilot program running for several years
Vietnam may be taking a major step toward liberalizing its gambling laws by potentially allowing locals to gamble permanently at Phu Quoc’s Corona Resort & Casino. This move would mark a significant policy shift, as current regulations mostly restrict casino access to foreign nationals, with limited exceptions under a pilot program.
Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has instructed the Ministry of Finance to evaluate “special development policies” for the island, according to a report from VietnamNet. These policies include reviewing the feasibility of making local access to Corona Casino a permanent fixture, rather than a temporary trial.
Corona Resort, backed by Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has been the only operational casino included in a pilot program allowing local residents to gamble. That program, which ended in late 2024, was initially intended to test the impact of domestic access but suffered disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During a recent working session focused on regional growth, government officials emphasized the need to support economic development in the Mekong Delta, including boosting Phu Quoc’s appeal as a tourism and investment hub. One of the ideas floated was the formation of a special administrative zone on the island, paired with customized policies to support infrastructure and tourism.
Allowing locals to return to the gaming floor at Corona is part of that broader vision. While the Ministry of Finance continues to study the proposal, industry observers suggest it could pave the way for wider reform across Vietnam’s casino landscape.
Separately, the Ministry has also asked the Prime Minister to approve a $2 billion luxury casino-resort development in Quang Ninh province. That project, known as Van Don, was also listed in the original locals gambling trial but has yet to begin construction.
If approved, these policy changes could alter the future of casino gaming in Vietnam significantly.
