The Ministry of Finance has proposed that two high-end tourism complexes - Ba Na Hills and Vinpearl Hon Tre Nha Trang - be allowed to run casinos.
In a report sent to the government, the ministry said it supported the proposals made to this effect by Danang city and Khanh Hoa province, where the two complexes are located.
The complexes are big investments and located in areas with a competitive edge in tourism development and large number of international arrivals, the ministry noted.
Danang does not have a large-scale casino business, while Khanh Hoa will have one in the KN Paradise complex that is being built in Cam Ranh.
The ministry said some other provinces have also proposed casino facilities, but advised that they are not ready to host the business. Binh Thuan, for instance, has seen growth in international tourists but the number is not high enough, while its port and airport infrastructure facilities are limited.
In its proposal, the ministry said the Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc Island, invested in by Phu Quoc Tourism Development and Investment JSC, be allowed to receive Vietnamese gamblers on a trial basis for another two years, or until 2024, to adjust for pandemic impacts.
Corona is the only casino facility that has been allowed to receive Vietnamese gamblers as a pilot project.
If the government wants to approve the finance ministry’s proposal, it will have to get the go ahead from the Politburo, the Party’s decision-making body, because gambling is considered a “sensitive” business area.
The government has licensed nine casino projects to date: the Do Son Resort & Casino in Haiphong city; 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 Silver Shores International Resort in Danang; Grand Ho Tram Resort & Casino in Baria-Vung Tau province; Nam Hoi An Casino Resort in Quang Nam province; and Corona Resort and Casino on Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang province.