Sun Group Breaks Ground on $2bn Van Don Casino Resort
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Key Takeaways:
- Vietnam's Sun Group initiated construction on a US$2 billion integrated resort in Van Don, including a major casino component.
- The project targets Northeast Asian tourists and domestic players under Vietnam's pilot program allowing local access to casinos.
- Expected to drive economic growth in Quang Ninh province, with projected high GRDP increases tied to tourism and gaming revenue.
Sun Group, one of Vietnam's leading software developers, officially broke ground on the ambitious Van Don International Tourism Complex on December 27, 2025. Valued at approximately US$2 billion, the project marks a significant expansion of integrated resort development in northern Vietnam and includes a dedicated casino gaming and entertainment zone as a core attraction.
The casino will operate within Vietnam's ongoing pilot scheme, which permits Vietnamese online casinos to gamble at select venues—a policy introduced to boost tourism while maintaining strict controls. Sun Group highlighted the gaming facilities as a "key highlight" designed to extend visitor stays and attract high-value international traffic, particularly from China, South Korea, and Japan.
Located in Quang Ninh province—the home of Ha Long Bay—the resort is positioned to become northern Vietnam's first large-scale "resort city." Infrastructure improvements, including enhanced airport connectivity and road links, are already supporting the project's timeline. Provincial authorities reported strong 2025 economic indicators, with GRDP growth estimated at 11.89% and per capita GRDP exceeding US$10,400, partly attributed to anticipation of such developments.
This move underscores Vietnam's strategic push to diversify its gaming market beyond foreigner-only venues like those in Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc. For the international online casino industry, it signals growing competition from land-based integrated resorts in Asia, potentially influencing player migration patterns and prompting online operators to innovate in live dealer and immersive experiences to retain market share.
While land-based, the project's scale reinforces Asia's role as a growth engine for gaming, where regulatory frameworks are gradually opening to capture domestic demand responsibly. Operators and providers monitoring Asian expansion will note Vietnam's balanced approach: economic stimulation alongside controlled local access.
