Want to experience international-level casino entertainment right at your doorstep? For some Vietnamese people, this is no longer a dream. This week, the Grand Ho Tram Resort located on the southern coast of Vietnam officially opened its casino area to its qualified domestic citizens, ending its history of being open only to foreign tourists for over a decade. This change marks a key step in Vietnam's cautious path to liberalizing its domestic gambling market.
Policy Breakthrough: The Second Casino Open to Domestic Citizens
According to the government-approved pilot program, the new policy at Grand Ho Tram took effect this Monday. This makes it the second casino in Vietnam, following the Corona Resort and Casino on Phu Quoc Island, to be permitted to serve domestic players. It is worth noting that the pilot on Phu Quoc Island expired in January 2025, so the opening of Grand Ho Tram timely restores a legal domestic gambling option for the southern region of Vietnam. Industry insiders revealed that the main gaming floor, including about 90 gaming tables and over 500 electronic gaming machines, was fully available to local customers on the opening day.
This access update is part of an updated pilot plan released by the Vietnamese government on November 26 last year, which expanded domestic casino access rights to three integrated resort projects nationwide. The government aims to continuously assess the overall impact of local player participation on the industry and socio-economic through such pilots.
Operational Innovation: Full "Vietnamese Dong-ization" of Currency Settlement
In addition to opening up to local customers, Grand Ho Tram has also implemented a significant operational adjustment: switching the betting currency from US dollars to Vietnamese Dong. This move undoubtedly greatly enhances the convenience for local players, eliminating the hassle of currency exchange. The casino's official website shows that its casino area covers about 5000 square meters and provides 24-hour service.
The resort is about a two-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, and its advantageous geographical location allows it to reach a large urban population. It is owned by the American private equity firm Warburg Pincus LLC, which acquired a majority stake in its parent company Asian Coast Development Ltd. in 2019.
Ambitious Blueprint: Aiming for a Regional Integrated Resort Destination
Grand Ho Tram initially opened in 2013, with an initial investment of $500 million. The developer has more grand long-term plans, aiming to turn it into a super integrated resort with a total investment of up to $4.2 billion, potentially including up to 9000 hotel rooms, villas, retail areas, and an 18-hole golf course.
Earlier this year, a $1 billion expansion project covering 35 hectares broke ground. This project will add a five-star hotel complex, luxury villas, entertainment facilities, and a convention center. The resort management is very confident in this, and its head has stated that their goal is not only to become Vietnam's leading integrated resort destination but also to compete with top regional destinations such as Singapore, Manila, and Macau. For more insights into the latest trends and compliance strategies in the global gambling market, continue to follow the PASA official website.
The discussion on domestic casino access by the Vietnamese government partly stems from the mixed effects of the Phu Quoc Island pilot project. Currently, the Ministry of Finance has proposed allowing qualified Vietnamese citizens to participate in gambling activities at Grand Ho Tram and the planned Yundun Integrated Tourist Casino project for a period of five years. The Yundun project, developed by Sun Group, is located in Quang Ninh Province and has received principle approval, but is expected to open only in 2032. The immediate participation of Grand Ho Tram and the long-term planning of Yundun provide two different case studies for Vietnamese regulators to assess the role of local players in its gambling industry.
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