Part V: Regional & Cultural · Asia-Pacific Regional Terms

5.6 Vietnam Casino Pilot Program

Vietnam — Regulatory/Legal

Vietnam’s casino pilot program, established under Decree 03/2017, allows qualified Vietnamese citizens to gamble at select licensed casino properties under strict conditions. To be eligible, Vietnamese nationals must: be at least 21 years old; demonstrate a stable monthly income of at least VND 10 million (approximately US$400); have full civil act capacity; not be subject to written objection from parents, spouse, or siblings; and purchase an entry ticket (VND 1 million for 24 hours or VND 25 million per month). In November 2025, the government granted permanent local access to Corona Resort & Casino (Phu Quoc) and approved five-year pilot programs for The Grand Ho Tram and the upcoming Van Don resort.

In practice

Vietnam’s cautious approach to local gambling reflects deep cultural and political reservations about gambling. The pilot program represents a significant policy shift for a country where gambling has historically been heavily restricted. Vietnamese players at the Phu Quoc pilot represented 52% of visitors but generated 88% of revenue.

One entry from the Casino Industry Glossary — 1,157 terms written for surveillance, compliance and operations professionals rather than for players. Definitions describe industry usage; where a term carries a regulatory meaning, verify against the instrument that governs your jurisdiction.