Extend scheme allowing Vietnamese to gamble at Phu Quoc casino: ministry
The Finance Ministry has asked for a two-year extension of the pilot scheme that allows Vietnamese citizens to gamble at Phu Quoc Island’s Corona Resort and Casino.
The extension will allow “economically-qualified” locals to gamble at the casino till the end of 2024.
The Politburo, the Party's premier decision-making body, in 2016 approved in principle for the Corona Resort and Casino in Phu Quoc and a casino in Quang Ninh province's Van Don Economic Zone to receive Vietnamese players. But the pilot scheme has been deployed at the Phu Quoc casino only as Van Don casino investments remain an idea.
The ministry argues in its proposal that the scheme has proved to be a sound one that meets the needs of a group of citizens and helps increase state budget revenues, while doing no harm to public security and order.
The ministry started considering extending the time period for the scheme on the basis that pandemic-related disruptions to domestic and international tourism had made it hard to assess its merits.
That Corona Resort and Casino served 240,560 customers between 2019 and 2021, 65% of them Vietnamese, according to a ministry report.
The facility, invested in by Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment JSC, incurred a loss of VND2.76 trillion ($121 million) from its debut early 2019 to September 2021.
Located in the prime location of Phu Quoc, called “Pearl Island”, the complex houses nearly 2,000 five-star hotel rooms, world-class restaurants, an 18-hole golf course, the VinWonders park, and the country’s most modern casino.
The Vietnamese government had licensed eight casino projects before its Decree 03/2017 on casino business came into force in 2017.
These were: the Do Son Resort & Casino in Haiphong; Lilai International Hotel, Royal Casino and Hong Van Casino Hotel in Quang Ninh Province; Aristo International Hotel in Lao Cai Province; Crowne International Casino at the Silver Shores International Resort in Da Nang City; The Grand Ho Tram Resort & Casino in Ba Ria-Vung Tau; and the Nam Hoi An Casino Resort in Quang Nam Province.
The Politburo has also green-lighted four other casino projects in the provinces of Thua Thien-Hue, Khanh Hoa, Quang Ninh (Van Don Island) and Kien Giang (Phu Quoc Island).
- Read More
1.8 km road connecting Lach Huyen Port terminals to be built in northern Vietnam
The Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board has taken a significant step forward in enhancing infrastructure around Lach Huyen Port by establishing a council to appraise the environmental impact assessment for the road connecting terminals No. 3 to No. 6.
Economy - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Hanoi TikToker internationally wanted for involving in multi-billion-dollar investment scam
Hanoi police have issued an international arrest warrant for Le Khac Ngo, known as "Mr. Hunter," a key accomplice in a recently-dismantled massive foreign exchange and securities fraud ring.
Society - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:57 pm GMT+7
Unlocking Phu Quoc’s potential to become the 'Hawaii of the East'
Leading global tourism companies have remarked that Phu Quoc has "yet to receive the recognition it deserves," despite its impressive and unexpected growth rate.
Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 7:20 pm GMT+7
Thai central bank maintains policy interest rate at 2.25%
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has said it backs the decision by the Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank, to maintain the policy interest rate at 2.25%, considering the move as suitable for a reviving economy.
Southeast Asia - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:43 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's military-run tech giant Viettel strikes big deals at international defence expo
Subsidiaries of Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel) signed a string of significant contracts with major global partners during the first two days of the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 in Hanoi.
Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:36 pm GMT+7
Taiwan’s Wistron acquires 37ha land lot in northern Vietnam for expansion
Taiwan-headquartered Wistron, a top electronics provider and an Apple supplier, will further its investment in Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Nam by acquiring another 37.1-hectare land lot.
Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 2:08 pm GMT+7
VAFIE seeks to promote sci-tech development, intellectual property policies
The Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) aims to enhance policies for the development of science, technology, and intellectual property, creating a more conducive investment environment.
Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 1:59 pm GMT+7
Vietnamese dong likely to depreciate 3% in 2025: VinaCapital
The Vietnamese dong is likely to depreciate 3% in 2025 on anticipation that the US Dollar/DXY Index will finish 2025 nearly unchanged, says Michael Kokalari, chief economist at Vietnam's leading fund manager VinaCapital.
Economy - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 11:23 am GMT+7
First luxury railway journey across Vietnam features Indochine architecture
PYS Travel has launched the first luxury railway journey across Vietnam named Sjourney, marking a new milestone in the railway tourism sector.
Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:09 am GMT+7
Vietnam among 40 most beautiful countries: US publication
Vietnam has secured the 36th position in the ranking of the 40 most beautiful countries in 2024 in a testament to its undeniable charm and appeal, according to US News & World Report.
Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:04 am GMT+7
Foxconn to invest $16 mln more in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province
Competition Team Technology (Vietnam) Company Limited, a subsidiary of Foxconn, will invest an extra $16 million in its “S- Vietnam” project in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.
Industries - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 9:53 am GMT+7
Vietnam’s small- and medium-sized businesses embrace digitization to weather global expansion risks: survey
While global expansion remains a key priority for the country's small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), achieving this goal requires overcoming challenges by leveraging the right talent and advanced technologies, including AI, according to Payoneer’s findings.
Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 7:56 am GMT+7
Vietnam tax authorities collect $169 mln from delinquent taxpayers through exit bans
Vietnam's tax authorities have collected about VND4.3 trillion ($169 million) from 6,500 delinquent taxpayers through exit ban measures so far this year, nearly five times the amount reported in the middle of the year.
Finance - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 10:29 pm GMT+7
French, Chinese EV manufacturers to invest in Indonesia
Three global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers - France’s Citroen and China’s BYD and AION - have committed to establishing EV manufacturing plants in Indonesia, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has announced.
Southeast Asia - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 6:42 pm GMT+7
Thailand optimistic about export prospects for 2025
With an upbeat export growth projection of about 5% this year, Thailand's Ministry of Commerce and its private sector are optimistic for a further 2-3% growth in 2025, bringing total export value to about $305 billion.
Southeast Asia - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 6:36 pm GMT+7
Philippines imposes temporary import ban on live cattle from Japan
The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on the importation of live cattle and buffalo as well as their products from Japan due to the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD), its Department of Agriculture said on Thursday.
Southeast Asia - Fri, December 20, 2024 | 5:53 pm GMT+7