Vietnam’s gaming industry is steadily progressing toward its ambitious goal of reaching $1 billion in revenue, fueled by strong regulatory support and growing interest from global tech giants.

The total gaming market in Southeast Asia is expected to reach $7.14 billion by 2026. Over the past few years, Vietnamese authorities have taken continuous steps to foster the industry’s growth.

In 2024, the Department of Broadcasting, Television, and Electronic Information, under the Ministry of Information and Communications, finalized the Strategy for Management and Development of the Online Gaming Industry in Vietnam (2025-2030) and submitted it for government approval.

Additionally, the Ministry of Information and Communications has organized multiple seminars and forums to connect local and international game developers and publishers. A key highlight was Vietnam GameVerse 2024, held on May 11-12 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Now in its second edition, the event saw a significant expansion in scale and participation compared to the previous year. It featured major global tech companies such as Google, Meta, TikTok, Roblox, Riot, and Apple.

Over the course of two days, Vietnam GameVerse 2024 attracted more than 40,000 attendees, double the number from 2023. More than 60 organizations and enterprises participated, with the number of foreign companies increasing fivefold from the previous year.

The rising international interest is also evident in the relocation of several global esports tournaments to Vietnam in 2024. Meanwhile, various initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent - ranging from startup support to specialized training programs - are gaining traction.

One standout initiative is the Game Hub project, which, in its inaugural edition, recognized six game titles from professional studios and five from student teams at universities and colleges.

These games covered various genres and themes, including education, learning support, and environmental protection, demonstrating Vietnam’s growing creative and technical capabilities in game development.

To further professionalize the industry, the Ministry of Information and Communications has collaborated with educational institutions to introduce formal training programs for gaming.

The Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) launched a game design and development program in 2024, while VTC Game Academy was established in partnership with PTIT, the College of Information and Communications Technology, and leading global tech firms like Google and Microsoft.

Another significant milestone was the Conference on Legal Regulations for Online Gaming Management, Provision, and Use, held in Ho Chi Minh City in November 2024. The event underscored the growing recognition of gaming as a key industry requiring a supportive development environment.

At the conference, Nguyen Thanh Hoa, head of the Electronic Information Division at the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications, proposed creating a new development space for the gaming industry by implementing digital transformation policies and leveraging National Assembly Resolution 98 to facilitate industry expansion.

Hoa also emphasized the potential of integrating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain into game development, particularly for educational and culturally themed content.

To ensure sustainable growth, he highlighted the importance of establishing a structured ecosystem for the gaming industry, starting with formal training programs. Additionally, attracting investment and fostering international partnerships will be key to accelerating Vietnam’s gaming sector.

For Vietnam’s game developers, innovation, strategic vision, and high-quality products will be essential to achieving global competitiveness.

Le My