Vietnam’s gaming industry is experiencing significant growth, and the government wants to capitalize on its huge potential, especially in esports. The industry attracted 54.6 million players and generated $507 million (€472.5 million) in revenue last year, according to the latest figures from Newzoo, with esports playing a key role in this surge.
In the "Vietnam Plus" report, Intel Vietnam Sales, Marketing and Communications Manager Feng Yuesheng pointed out that this Southeast Asian country has made impressive achievements in gaming and e-sports over the past decade. Vietnam’s esports teams not only dominate Southeast Asia but also compete on the global stage. The Vietnam Esports White Paper 2021 further emphasizes its potential, with more than 18 million active esports players laying a solid foundation for future development.
Government Support and Industry Growth
The region’s commitment to promoting esports has become more evident since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines included it in the competition. Professional gaming is also growing in popularity, creating new jobs and contributing to the economy.
Vietnam Plus also quoted Le Quang Tu, director of the Broadcasting and Electronic Information Administration (ABEI) of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), who said that the gaming industry is seen as an important driving force for Vietnam's development in the Industry 4.0 era. ABEI statistics show that about 50% of popular mobile games are outsourced or fully developed in Vietnam.
Challenges and strategic initiatives
Despite the industry’s growth, there are still some challenges. Thu acknowledged that while the industry is expanding in both quality and quantity, most games released in Vietnam come from other countries, highlighting the need for local production and distribution.
The Vietnam Game Developers Association also cited a lack of professional training as a significant obstacle. It was only last year that the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) launched its first formal game design course.
Vietnam’s mobile game revenue remains relatively limited compared to Southeast Asia’s total revenue, partly due to differences in policies across regions. To achieve its goal of revenue of $1 billion (€931.4 million) by 2030, MIC is drafting a comprehensive strategy. This includes establishing a game developer alliance, addressing social bias against gaming, attracting foreign investment, and more. Collaboration with other ministries and departments is also underway to support game development, with a focus on training and developing skilled personnel.
