Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance has rejected proposals from two major casino operators seeking alternative entry fee structures for Vietnamese citizens. The Grand Ho Tram and Corona Casino had both opposed the government’s plan to double monthly access fees and sharply increase daily tickets for locals, but authorities have confirmed they will move ahead with the higher charges.
The issue forms part of a broader regulatory review now underway, which includes an assessment of Vietnam’s current casino decree and a wider look at how local participation should be managed.
According to a local media outlet VN Express International, the Ministry of Finance is seeking public feedback on its proposal to raise the monthly entry fee for Vietnamese citizens from VND25 million ($950) to VND50 million ($1,900). It also plans to increase the one-day ticket price by 2.5 times to VND2.5 million ($95). Vietnam does not offer an annual entry pass for locals.
In its submission, The Grand Ho Tram urged the ministry to convert the proposed VND50 million monthly fee into an annual pass while keeping the existing VND25 million monthly rate unchanged. The operator stated that an annual pass at VND50 million would reduce the effective monthly cost to around VND4.2 million ($160), or about 16.8 percent of the current monthly fee. It added that this would align the Vietnamese system more closely with Singapore, where casino entry costs the equivalent of VND3 million ($115) for 24 hours or VND60 million ($2,300) for a year.
Corona Casino, the first casino authorised to admit locals under a pilot programme launched in 2017, proposed that the one day ticket be priced at VND1.5 million ($57) and the monthly pass at VND35 million ($1,330). This represents a 30 to 40 percent reduction compared with the Ministry of Finance’s proposal. The operator noted that locals accounted for 52 percent of its customers and 88 percent of its revenue over the past five years. However, domestic visitation fell sharply after the pandemic, with the share of local patrons dropping to just 12 percent last year.
Despite the detailed submissions, the Ministry of Finance rejected both recommendations. It argues that higher entry fees are needed to discourage individuals who may not have sufficient financial means from gambling. This position contrasts with earlier comments from the Ministry of Justice, which said that entry prices are not an appropriate way to assess a player’s financial status.
The rejection also aligns with a separate update released on 12 December, confirming that alternative proposals submitted in August by the same operators had been dismissed. The Grand Ho Tram had again suggested converting the VND50 million monthly pass into an annual ticket, while Corona Casino proposed daily and monthly prices at VND1.5 million and VND35 million respectively. Both proposals were turned down.
The debate over pricing comes as Vietnam is preparing to revise its wider casino framework. On 10 December, the Ministry of Finance published an impact assessment for a proposed decree that would replace the country’s 2017 regulations on casino activity. The draft maintains existing requirements for local entry, including the need to be at least 21 years old, possess full civil act capacity, buy an entry ticket, prove financial capability, and not appear on a family requested or self-exclusion list.
However, the ministry acknowledged that proving financial capacity has been difficult in practice. Players often must gather several documents, creating delays and increasing administrative work for operators. Officials are evaluating whether adjusting entry fees could simplify these procedures.
Vietnam currently allows locals to enter only three casinos: Corona Casino in Phu Quoc, The Grand Ho Tram in Ba Ria–Vung Tau Province, and the planned Van Don Casino in Quang Ninh Province, which is part of a new pilot programme. Six other casinos remain restricted to foreign visitors.
From 2017 to 2022, Vietnam’s casinos generated VND22.89 trillion (about US$950 million) in revenue and contributed VND11.81 trillion (around US$490 million) to the national budget. These figures include periods disrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Corona Resort & Casino opened in 2019, followed by Hoiana in 2020.
The Phu Quoc pilot showed that Vietnamese players represented 52 percent of visitors but generated 88 percent of revenue. Most domestic patrons were men aged between 30 and 49.
The latest discussions follow a major policy announcement on 27 November. Under Resolution No. 307/2025/NQ CP, the government confirmed permanent access for Vietnamese nationals at Corona Resort & Casino and approved five year pilot programmes for local entry at The Grand Ho Tram and the planned Van Don integrated resort.
Entry conditions remain strict. Vietnamese citizens must be at least 21 years old, legally competent, and meet income requirements that include a stable monthly salary of VND10 million (€370) or eligibility for higher tier personal income tax. Entry fees remain VND1 million (€40) for a 24 hour pass and VND25 million (€1,010) for a monthly pass.
The Van Don project involves planned investment of VND51.5 trillion ($2.16 billion) and a 70 year concession. The Grand Ho Tram is undergoing a US$1 billion expansion that will increase its total capacity to more than 9,000 hotel rooms.
\The Ministry of Finance has also been reviewing broader gambling regulations, including proposals to increase daily betting limits for international sports wagering from VND1 million to VND10 million (€380). Industry groups argue that limits should be more flexible to prevent players from shifting to illegal offshore platforms.
Officials say the reforms aim to balance investment growth with social protection and responsible gambling. The timeline for finalising the new casino decree has not yet been confirmed.
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