Vietnam is looking to enter a new era of casino development with multiple applications underway. An application for Vietnam’s newest casino is underway in the city of Da Lat Vietnam, now awaiting federal approval. In an effort to spur regional economy and encourage greater economic development, the regional government of Da Lat, also locally known as the Valley of Love has applied for federal approval. According to local media (Vietnam Plus), the hope is to attract local visitors with a new casino and entertainment district that will house shopping, entertainment and tourist attractions. The casino is predominately targeting locals and not foreigners because the city itself is not that easy to travel to for foreign tourists.
Currently the only current casino allowing local gamblers in Vietnam is Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc. In their bid the local government believes it will be a positive impact in changing the nighttime appearance of the city of Da Lat and will encourage regional growth with benefit to local workers.
Their bid plans to roll out development in stages over a period of 7-years. Da Lat would construct a water music park in the city’s flower garden. Following that would be a new food street, new art centers and night markets to all be constructed around the central entertainment and casino district.
Also of note is that Ho Chi Minh has forwarded plans to the National Assembly to allow for casinos to be permitted in all 5-star hotels. In Ho Chi Minh’s proposal, all citizens of 18-years and above, with full capacity for civil acts and with enough financial capacity, should be allowed to enter and play in the new casinos. Up until 2017 only foreigners were allowed to play at casinos in Vietnam, at that time citizens 21-years old and above were permitted to play as part of a trial measure. Ho Chi Minh city is also proposing to expand the the list of visa exemption countries to be allowed to enter Vietnam and extend temporary stay length from 15 days to 30 days. In another application Ho Chi Minh city is also proposing for the allowance of karaoke bars, dance clubs and a raft of new tourism related polices all in order to boost tourism in Vietnam.
