Korean Gamblers Drive Vietnam Casino Market Growth
Vietnam’s casino sector continues to grow, with Korean visitors remaining a key driver of the country’s gaming revenues. Under Vietnam’s foreigner-only gambling regulations, integrated resorts and urban e-gaming clubs depend heavily on international players and South Korean customers represent the largest share of this market.
According to Scott Choi, external marketing head at Lion Club, spending by Korean gamblers has increased over the past year, reinforcing their importance to Vietnam’s gaming industry. While the return of international travel has also brought more visitors from China, Korean players still provide a stable base for the market, even as their share of total visitors begins to shift slightly.
Changing Travel Patterns Among Korean Gamblers
As travel activity continues to recover, the profile of Korean players visiting Vietnam is gradually evolving. Choi notes that the market is becoming more segmented, with a widening gap between high-value players and budget-focused gamblers.
Premium mass and VIP visitors, often business owners or executives in sectors such as manufacturing and trade, continue to show strong wagering potential at casinos and e-gaming clubs. Meanwhile, a larger segment of travellers is becoming more price-conscious when planning gaming trips.
These players increasingly compare travel costs, accommodation packages and promotional incentives before choosing a destination. According to Choi, this reflects a change in player behaviour, as gaming trips were previously more associated with leisure and lifestyle rather than careful cost considerations.
Different Roles for Resorts and E-Gaming Clubs
Korean visitors frequent both Vietnam’s integrated resorts and its urban e-gaming clubs, although the two types of venues attract different kinds of players.
Large integrated resorts such as The Grand Ho Tram, Hoiana Resort & Golf and Corona Resort & Casino typically host Korean tourists who combine casino play with broader resort activities. These visitors often travel one to three times a year and spend several nights at the properties, dividing their spending across gaming tables, hotel stays, dining, spa services and golf.
Urban e-gaming clubs operate under a different model. These venues mainly attract more frequent visits from Korean expatriates and workers based in nearby industrial areas, particularly around Ho Chi Minh City. Their visits tend to be shorter and focused primarily on gaming, resulting in higher betting activity but less spending on non-gaming amenities.
At the same time, Vietnam’s gaming sector is beginning to attract a younger group of Korean visitors who are familiar with digital platforms and mobile devices. While baccarat remains a dominant game among Korean players, interest in slot machines and online-style table games is gradually increasing.
Digital Engagement and Growing Competition
As customer behaviour evolves, casino operators in Vietnam have been expanding their digital presence. Over the past two years, many gaming venues have introduced websites and mobile applications to strengthen communication with players and maintain engagement.
Digital messaging tools, chat platforms and mobile services are increasingly used to connect with Korean customers, replacing the reliance on traditional phone-based communication.
Competition among operators is also intensifying. Casinos and e-gaming clubs are increasing promotional spending and offering larger commissions or incentives while recruiting experienced hosts and managers with established connections in the Korean market.
Outlook for the Vietnamese Gaming Market
Looking ahead, Choi expects the number of Korean visitors participating in casino gaming in Vietnam to continue growing. He suggests that customer volumes at casinos and e-gaming clubs could rise by around 15 percent.
Part of this expected growth is linked to the opening of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province, which is anticipated to increase the number of direct flights connecting South Korea and Vietnam.
Vietnam also remains an attractive destination for Korean travellers due to its relatively lower cost of living, familiar food culture and improving hospitality sector. These factors, combined with growing tourism infrastructure, have encouraged some players who previously visited other gaming destinations to choose Vietnam instead.
