Vietnam Greenlights $2B Van Don Casino Development, Still Weighing Local Entry

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has approved the Van Don integrated resort and casino project in Quang Ninh province, marking a significant development in the country’s gaming landscape.

The decision, signed on June 27th, 2025, greenlights an investment of $2 billion for a 70-year license, with the project to be developed in three phases over 9 years. The news was reported by local media outlet VN Express.

The complex will be situated on more than 244 hectares in Van Yen commune within the Van Don Economic Zone, with 182 hectares designated for core functions including a casino, hotels, luxury villas, tourism services, parks, and water features.

It is worth noting that 62 hectares of interspersed forest land—comprising 38 hectares of protected forest and nearly 24 hectares of production forest—must remain untouched, in accordance with forestry regulations.

While the casino license has been granted, entry for local Vietnamese residents is still pending and subject to further legal approvals. The Ministry of Finance previously re-submitted a proposal seeking to include local players under the existing pilot program, though final clearance has yet to be given.

The Van Don integrated resort is projected to generate approximately $326 million in annual revenue, with total contributions to state coffers estimated at over $9.6 billion during the 70-year operation. The project is expected to employ around 6,000 people and contribute significantly to the region’s economy.

Authorities have tasked Quang Ninh’s provincial government with selecting the investor through a bidding process and monitoring the capital contribution and financing stages. The local economic zone management board must also prepare housing plans and social infrastructure for the project’s workforce, alongside reserving land for cultural and sports facilities to serve residents and tourists.

In an interview with an industry expert earlier this month, Tim Nguyen, Director of Fortuna Investments, told AGB that pushing forward the Van Don IR is seen as a positive signal for Vietnam’s maturing gaming policy. The reactivation of the Van Don project, especially with the likely extension of the locals entry pilot, signals a strong move toward a more commercially viable gaming sector.