Government allows eligible Vietnamese citizens to enter Phu Quoc, Ho Tram, Van Don casinos

Vietnam has allowed eligible Vietnamese citizens to gamble at the Phu Quoc, Ho Tram and Van Don casinos starting November 26, per a government resolution issued on Tuesday.

Under Resolution 8/2025/NQ-CP, Vietnamese nationals meeting the required conditions can enter the Corona Casino Phu Quoc in An Giang province, starting November 26, 2025.

The government will also pilot Vietnamese access for five years at the Grand Casino Ho Tram in Ho Chi Minh City, starting November 26, 2025, and at the Van Don casino project in Quang Ninh province, starting from the date the latter receives its gambling service license.

Management of Vietnamese gamblers and casino operations will continue to follow the government's Decree 03/2017 on casino business. After the pilot period, Ho Tram and Van Don must halt Vietnamese access unless further approval is granted.

Casino operators must strictly manage eligible Vietnamese gamblers and comply with all regulations, the resolution said.

Per Decree 03/2017, Corona Casino Phu Quoc, operated by Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment JSC, was 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 2024.

Grand Casino Ho Tram is part of a large resort complex in formerly Ba Ria-Vung Tau province (now part of Ho Chi Minh City). The facility had previously not been permitted to admit Vietnamese players.

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.

Eligibility requirements for Vietnamese gamblers

Under Decree 03/2017, Vietnamese gamblers must be at least 21 years old, possess full civil capacity and financial capability, and purchase entry tickets. 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 Tax.

The Finance Ministry said the rules have generally worked, but financial-capacity verification requirements have caused administrative hurdles, requiring multiple documents and making it difficult for some qualified visitors to prove eligibility.

To align with international norms and reduce foreign currency outflows, the ministry has proposed assessing financial capacity mainly via higher entry fees - VND2.5 million ($95) for 25 consecutive hours, 2.5 times the current level, or VND50 million ($1,896) per month, twice the current amount.

The Politburo, the country's highest decision-making body, has endorsed the proposal and instructed the government to revise the regulations. A draft decree replacing Decree 03/2017 is currently open for public consultation.