The project is positioned as a centrepiece for economic development in the northern region and is backed by a proposed investment of VND51.5tn (around $2.16bn).
The resort is expected to span approximately 244 hectares and will be developed over three phases. Upon completion, it would operate under a 70-year licence.
Facilities would include a luxury hotel complex, a casino, entertainment venues, and tourism infrastructure aimed at attracting international visitors.
The project would be executed in three key phases, with some VND25.1tn to be invested in phase one, lasting until 2027, followed by a further VND22.08tn in investment in phase two, lasting from 2027-2031, and a final VND4.3tn to be invested in phase three, between 2031 and 2032.
Construction is expected to take up to nine years from the date of land allocation. Over its operational lifespan, the government estimates the project could generate up to VND229tn contributions to the state budget through taxes and fees, while creating thousands of jobs in the region.
Resort could see return to local gambling
The project signals renewed interest in large-scale gaming development, despite the recent suspension of Vietnam’s only local gambling pilot programme.
The Van Don proposal comes just months after the Vietnamese government ended its three-year pilot programme that allowed Vietnamese citizens to gamble at the Corona Resort & Casino in Phu Quoc.That programme, launched in 2019, was seen as a litmus test for broader liberalisation of Vietnam’s gaming market. However, it officially concluded on 31 December 2024, and no replacement policy has yet been announced.
Corona was the only casino in Vietnam permitted to it local citizens, subject to income verification and other regulatory checks. However, the property reportedly sustained substantial losses — estimated at $150m — during the pilot period. A combination of limited domestic interest, economic headwinds, and the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to these challenges.
Given this context, it remains unclear whether the Van Don resort would be permitted to it Vietnamese nationals. While some early reporting referenced the potential inclusion in a similar pilot scheme, government authorities have yet to confirm whether any such programme will be reinstated.
Developer selection underway
The Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee has indicated that the project will be awarded through a competitive bidding process, including a land-use rights auction.
No operator or development consortium has been named, although the scale and visibility of the project is likely to attract both domestic and international interest.
Quang Ninh has long been considered a promising destination for high-end tourism, with its proximity to Ha Long Bay and relatively developed infrastructure.
Van Don itself was previously explored by several international casino developers, including Las Vegas Sands and Genting Group, but policy uncertainty and infrastructure gaps have slowed progress in the past.
