The first casino in Vietnam that allows locals to gamble has opened in Phu Quoc Island off the country’s southern coast. The Corona Resort and Casino is part of an ecotourism and amusement complex built by Phu Quoc Tourism Investment and Development JSC at a cost of VND50 trillion ($2.15 billion). The casino will remain open 24 hours a day during a three-year pilot, and Vietnamese who want to gamble must be over 21, earn a minimum of VND10 million ($430) a month and have no criminal record or objections from family.
The entry fee is VND1 million ($43) for 24 hours or VND25 million ($1,000) a month (with a maximum play time of 720 hours). Three months ago the government approved the three-year trial period allowing Vietnamese to enter the casino.
Vietnam, which treats gambling as a “social evil”, has hitherto prohibited locals from gambling in the seven casinos around the country. Only foreign passport holders can enter them.
Vietnam’s per capita income was around $2,500 last year.
One of Vietnam’s biggest real estate developers Sungroup is currently building another casino in Van Don in northern Quang Ninh Province, home of popular Ha Long Bay.
Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s largest island, is one of the top holiday destinations in the country.