Vietnam approved Sun Group's Van Don Sun JSC as developer of the $2 billion Van Don casino-tourism project in the Van Don Economic Zone, with an operating term of no more than 70 years, according to a report on the approval published in August1.
The project sits in Quang Ninh province in northern Vietnam1. The approval covers the developer role and the length of the operating term; the report did not state a construction start date, an opening date or a breakdown of the investment1.
The Van Don project is one of three venues the government has opened to eligible Vietnamese citizens. Under Resolution 8/2025/NQ-CP, Vietnamese nationals who meet the required conditions can enter the Corona Casino Phu Quoc in An Giang province from November 26, 2025, and the government will pilot Vietnamese access for five years at the Grand Casino Ho Tram in Ho Chi Minh City from the same date1. Vietnamese access at the Van Don casino project begins from the date it receives its gambling service license1. After the pilot period, Ho Tram and Van Don must halt Vietnamese access unless further approval is granted1.
Corona Casino Phu Quoc, operated by Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment JSC, was previously the first and the only venue allowed to admit Vietnamese gamblers under a pilot scheme that began in January 2019 and was later extended through 20241. Grand Casino Ho Tram, part of a large resort complex in the area formerly known as Ba Ria-Vung Tau province and now part of Ho Chi Minh City, had previously not been permitted to admit Vietnamese players1.
"In August, Sun Group's Van Don Sun JSC was approved as developer of the $2 billion Van Don casino-tourism project in the Van Don Economic Zone, with an operating term of no more than 70 years."
Casino operations and the management of Vietnamese gamblers continue to follow Decree 03/2017 on casino business1. Under that decree, Vietnamese gamblers must be at least 21 years old, possess full civil capacity and financial capability, and purchase entry tickets1. Players must prove a monthly income of at least VND10 million ($379) or fall under the third personal income tax bracket or higher under the Law on Personal Income Tax1.
| Requirement | Current rule under Decree 03/2017 | Proposed change |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 21 | Not reported |
| Income proof | VND10 million ($379) per month, or third personal income tax bracket or higher | Financial capacity assessed mainly via higher entry fees |
| Entry ticket, 25 consecutive hours | Not reported | VND2.5 million ($95), 2.5 times the current level |
| Entry ticket, monthly | Not reported | VND50 million ($1,896), twice the current amount |
The Finance Ministry said the rules have generally worked, but that financial-capacity verification requirements have caused administrative hurdles, requiring multiple documents and making it difficult for some qualified visitors to prove eligibility1. The ministry has proposed assessing financial capacity mainly through higher entry fees, to align with international norms and reduce foreign currency outflows1. The Politburo, the country's highest decision-making body, has endorsed the proposal and instructed the government to revise the regulations1.
What it means for players
Vietnamese citizens who meet the conditions can now enter Corona Casino Phu Quoc and, under a five-year pilot, Grand Casino Ho Tram1. Access at the Van Don casino project in Quang Ninh depends on the project receiving its gambling service license, which has not been reported as issued1. Vietnamese access at Ho Tram and Van Don ends after the pilot unless further approval is granted1.
Foreign visitors and expatriates are not covered by the eligibility conditions described in the resolution, which address Vietnamese nationals1. The age, civil capacity, financial capability and entry ticket requirements described apply to Vietnamese gamblers under Decree 03/20171. The proposed higher entry fees are not yet in force; they form part of a draft decree that is open for public consultation1.
What happens next
A draft decree replacing Decree 03/2017 is currently open for public consultation1. The Van Don casino project's Vietnamese access begins from the date it receives its gambling service license, which has not been reported1. No opening date for the Van Don project has been reported1.
For more on venues and entry rules in the country, see Can I Gamble in Vietnam? and New and Planned Casinos in Vietnam. For how access rules work across the region, see Casinos and Integrated Resorts in Asia.
