Vietnamese gamblers can now try their luck at the Grand Ho Tram casino resort in Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu Province. Starting Monday, the integrated resort became part of an expanded five-year trial of locals gaming in the country.
In a 17 December news release, Grand Ho Tram announced that it would permit “eligible Vietnamese citizens” to play “under strict supervision” on the 5,000-square-metre gaming floor. Entrants must be at least 21 years old and demonstrate a monthly income of at least VND10 million (US$380). They may only use Vietnamese currency to gamble and must reconvert remaining chips to dong at the end of a session.
The casino at Grand Ho Tram now offers about 90 table games and 500 electronic gaming machines.
Slow path to gaming liberalisation
Vietnam historically has limited casino gaming to foreigners and Vietnamese nationals holding foreign passports. In 2016, the Politburo made its first move toward liberalisation, approving a three-year pilot allowing locals to gamble at two casinos: Corona in Kien Giang Province, which debuted in early 2019, and Van Don in Quang Ninh Province, then in the planning stages.
Covid-19 interrupted the test run, closing the Corona casino a year after its opening. The Ministry of Finance later requested a two-year extension of the programme, through 2024. And last November, lawmakers passed Resolution No 307/2025/NQ-CP, granting permanent access to locals at Corona.
Van Don, a project of the Sun Group, remains under development, with completion expected in mid-2032. The casino will include 214 casino tables and 2,140 slot machines. Its five-year licence will begin when it opens.
Towards a more ‘modernised tourism sector’
Grand Ho Tram outside Ho Chi Minh City called the pilot “an important step in the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise the tourism sector … while promoting economic growth”.
CEO Walt Power said the resort is “honoured to contribute in a small way to the government of Vietnam’s vision for sustainable economic prosperity through a responsibly managed entertainment and tourism sector”.
Another casino welcomes eligible Vietnamese gamblers as part of the effort to modernise the tourism industry.