Viet Nam

Exploring Vietnam's Unique Poker Scene and Gambling Laws

In Vietnam, poker has been growing in popularity, especially over the past decade, despite strict gambling regulations. Traditionally, gambling in Vietnam is highly regulated, with only a few casinos allowing locals to participate. Most poker activities are restricted to licensed casinos, and participation in home games and underground games is illegal. However, with a growing poker community and the rise of live tournaments, Vietnam has become an emerging hub for poker in Asia.

Cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are now home to poker rooms and clubs that host regular tournaments, attracting both local and international players. Major international poker events, such as the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and the World Poker Tour (WPT), have held successful series in Vietnam, further elevating its status in the global poker scene. Clubs like Saigon Poker Club and Win Poker Club are prominent venues that host daily cash games and larger tournament events, offering various formats like No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.

Overall, Vietnam’s poker scene is growing steadily, with the country becoming a major destination for regional poker events. The combination of international exposure and increasing interest from local players has transformed Vietnam into a key location for poker enthusiasts in Southeast Asia.

Online Poker in Viet Nam

Online poker in Vietnam

In Vietnam, online poker operates in a legal gray area due to the country’s strict gambling laws. While locals are prohibited from gambling at brick-and-mortar casinos, many international online poker sites still accept Vietnamese players. Popular platforms like PokerStars and 888poker are accessible to Vietnamese players, allowing them to participate in cash games, tournaments, and sit-and-go’s. However, it’s important for players to understand the risks associated with playing on unregulated platforms, as Vietnam’s government does not issue licenses for online poker sites and could potentially block access to foreign platforms in the future.

Despite these restrictions, the demand for online poker continues to rise in Vietnam, especially with the growth of poker tournaments and a vibrant community of local players. To safely engage in online poker, players are advised to use VPNs and e-wallets to handle deposits and withdrawals, as local banks may restrict transactions with gambling websites. For players interested in taking their skills to a live setting, major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi host frequent live poker events, further solidifying Vietnam’s status as a growing poker hotspot in Southeast Asia.

Best Online Poker Sites in Viet Nam

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Live Poker in Viet Nam

Live Poker Legislation in Vietnam

The laws of Vietnam are based upon the stakes (Article 248 and 249 of the Penal Code), with the first level concerning very small stakes and social gambling, which carries a punishment of a small fine and being essentially put on probation.

Being caught winning or losing between 2 million and 50 million VND (about $90 to about $2200) involves a more serious crime, where the fines go up, the probation is longer, and there is also a risk of jail time. Those sentenced to this must report to the relevant authorities as instructed. They must also remain in their district and report any change of residence and employment.

The third level is for those who have won or lost over 50 million VND (about $2200). There is a minimum of three years in prison for this one which can be extended to up to seven years, in addition to being fined 3 million to 30 million VND. This also applies if you are a professional gambler or have been found to be operating a gambling establishment.

Then again, these laws apply to cash games as well. More and more tournaments are taking place on a daily basis in Vietnam, especially in its major cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Nha Trang, not to mention international competitions such as the Asian Poker Tour, the Asia Poker League, and the World Poker Tour. Locals can participate in all these events now.

Live Poker Venues in Vietnam

You can find live poker in poker rooms & clubs throughout the country, but officially only as tournaments. Cash games remain illegal in the country. Clubs that do not respect this rule face serious consequences; with some having been raided by the police, catching both foreigners and nationals red-handed.

In 2018, the Asia Poker Tour was the first event organizer to host an international event in Vietnam that locals were allowed to join. The venue was the Pro Poker Club in Ho Chi Minh City.

Currently, the biggest live poker events still mainly take place at the same place, in Ho Chi Minh City at the Pro Poker Club. This venue has so far been the central point of this development with international poker festivals running almost every month.

However, other international events also started running in Hanoi, Da Nang, and Nha Trang.

In June 2020, ironically in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the LUK Poker Room Phu Quoc in the Corona Resort Phu Quoc was opened at the first official poker venue where Vietnamese could play cash games.

Google Map

Venues in Viet Nam

Bolton Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHanoi
Phone+84 (94) 856 2394
Email
Corona Casino and Resort
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityPhú Quốc
Phone+84 (297) 222 8888
Email
Crown Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHanoi
Phone+84 (976) 927 696
Dream Dragon Resort
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHai Phong
Phone+84 (225) 352 9999
Furama Resort Danang
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityDa Nang
Phone+84 (236) 384 7777
Global Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityNha Trang
Phone+84 (258) 352 7777
Email
Golden Bay Hotel
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityDa Nang
Phone+84 (236) 3878 999
Email
Grand Loyal Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHanoi
Phone+84 (24) 3835 3388
Email
Hanoi Hotel
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHanoi
Phone+84 (24) 3845 2270
Hoiana Casino
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityDuy Xuyên District
Phone+84 (0) 235 858 8888
Email
National Convention Center
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHanoi
Phone+84 (24) 3771 1111
Email
Website
Platinum Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityDa Nang
Phone+84 (779) 528 588
Email
Pro Poker Club HCMC
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHo Chi Minh City
Phone+84 (93) 185 16 61
Email
Website
Pullman Danang Beach Resort
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityDa Nang
Phone+84 (236) 398 8888
Email
Pullman Grand Hotel Hai Phong
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHai Phong
Phone+84 (225) 3246 888
Website
Royal Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityDa Nang
Phone+84 (32) 632 5686
Saigon Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHo Chi Minh City
Phone+84 (88) 900 64 64
Email
The Grand Ho Tram
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHồ Tràm
Phone+84 (254) 378 8888
Victorious Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHo Chi Minh City
Phone+84 (28) 6653 8588
Email
Viet Tower Hanoi
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHanoi
Phone+84 (24) 3537 4811
Email
Win Poker Club
CountryViet NamViet Nam [VNM]
CityHanoi
Phone+84 (97) 473 868
Email

Events at Viet Nam

Viet Nam related news

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The U Series of Poker is back again in Hai Phong, Vietnam to end the year with a better offering of poker events from its last visit. Already underway, the USOP Grand Finale booked the bigger and more luxurious Grand Ballroom of the Pullman Grand Hotel 
11/30/2024
CapitalHanoi
Population92,700,000
CurrencyVietnamese đồng [VND] ₫
TimezoneUTC+07:00
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