Local play pilot at Vietnam’s Ho Tram makes waves regionally
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Article Date: 2026-02-03T14:07:13+00:00
Article URL: https://igamingbusiness.com/casino/integrated-resorts/local-play-pilot-at-vietnams-ho-tram-makes-waves-regionally/
Article Image: grand-ho-tram-casino.jpg
Summary
Vietnam’s government has approved a five-year pilot allowing qualified Vietnamese nationals to gamble at selected integrated resorts, notably The Grand Ho Tram near Ho Chi Minh City and Van Don in the north. The scheme requires proof of monthly income of at least 10 million VND and payment of an entry fee (VND1 million for 24 hours or VND25 million per month). Ho Tram’s proximity to HCMC, existing hotel inventory, planned mega-expansion and improved connectivity (Long Thanh airport) position it to capture substantial local mass and premium-mass play.
Industry insiders argue local play will stabilise revenues, increase non-gaming spend, and transform Ho Tram from a niche beach resort into a genuine regional integrated resort competitor. Operators note the need to expand gaming capacity, tailor slot and loyalty offerings to domestic preferences, and boost transport and entertainment to capture frequent local visitation. While expatriate slot clubs in HCMC and certain border casinos will hold segments of demand, Ho Tram can take meaningful share from mid- to premium-mass players and lift Vietnam’s overall gaming profile.
Key Points
- Vietnam approved a five-year local-play pilot at Ho Tram and Van Don; Corona Resort on Phu Quoc received permanent local play status.
- Eligibility: Vietnamese nationals must show ≥10m VND/month income and pay an entry fee (VND1m/24hr or VND25m/month).
- Ho Tram is strategically advantaged being ~1 hour from Ho Chi Minh City, offering a large natural feeder market of over 10 million people.
- Local play is expected to deepen mass and premium-mass segments, stabilise revenue and boost non-gaming spend.
- Current casino footprint (90 tables, ~500 slots) may need expansion to meet expected demand.
- Ho Tram’s US$1bn expansion (part of a larger US$4bn project) aims to grow rooms, entertainment, MICE and family offerings, underpinning a “Ho Tram Strip” vision.
- Competition: HCMC slot clubs will likely retain convenience-driven expat customers; cross-border venues (Cambodia) may lose some mid-tier Vietnamese traffic.
- Improved access via Long Thanh International Airport and stronger domestic tourism support long-term GGR upside for Vietnam.
Context and Relevance
This pilot matters because it changes the addressable market for Vietnam’s integrated resorts. Ho Tram’s conversion to a local-play-capable destination could accelerate investment, drive higher-frequency domestic visitation and shift regional gaming dynamics — bringing Vietnam into a clearer peer group with the Philippines and Singapore over the medium term if tax and product remain competitive. For operators, investors and suppliers, the move signals new demand patterns (loyalty programmes, tailored slot mixes, expanded entertainment and transport services) and a need to scale capacity quickly.
Why should I read this?
Short and blunt: this is a real market pivot. If you care about Asian integrated resorts, gaming revenues or travel-led development, Ho Tram’s local-play pilot is the kind of tectonic shift that changes business plans. It means more local footfall, new product demands, and big expansion opportunities — or headaches if you’re a border-casino operator. We’ve skimmed the detail so you can see what to act on fast.