The Grand Ho Tram and Corona Casino have both opposed double entry fees for locals, at the same time, they proposed sharply reduced casino entry fees for Vietnamese citizens, but the government rejected their recommendations as authorities move ahead with a plan to double monthly access charges to VND50 million ($1,900), according to local media outlet VN Express International.
The Ministry of Finance is seeking public feedback on its proposal to raise the monthly entry fee from VND25 million ($950) to VND50 million ($1,900) and increase the one-day ticket price 2.5 times to VND2.5 million ($95). Vietnam currently does not offer an annual entry pass for locals.
The Grand Ho Tram urged the ministry to convert the proposed VND50 million ($1,900) monthly fee into an annual ticket—rather than applying it monthly—while keeping the existing VND25 million ($950) monthly rate unchanged.
The operator noted that an annual pass at VND50 million would lower the effective monthly cost to around VND4.2 million ($160), or roughly 16.8 percent of the current monthly fee, and would align more closely with Singapore, where casino entry costs the equivalent of VND3 million ($115) for 24 hours or VND60 million ($2,300) for a year.
Corona Casino, the first property allowed to admit locals under a pilot programme launched in 2017, proposed a one-day ticket of VND1.5 million ($57) and a monthly pass of VND35 million ($1,330), representing a 30 to 40 percent reduction from the ministry’s plan.
However, the Ministry of Finance rejected both proposals, maintaining that higher entry fees are necessary to discourage individuals who may lack sufficient financial capacity from gambling. This stance contrasts with comments from the Ministry of Justice, which previously said entry prices are not an appropriate way to assess a player’s financial status.
Vietnam currently permits local citizens to enter only three casinos—Corona Casino in Phu Quoc, The Grand Ho Tram, and Van Don Casino in Quang Ninh Province—while six other licensed casinos remain restricted to foreigners.
Corona Casino reported that locals accounted for 52 percent of its customers and 88 percent of its revenue over the past five years, though domestic visitation has declined sharply since the pandemic, with the share of local customers falling to just 12 percent last year.
