Sun Group Wins Approval for $2 Billion Casino Resort in Quang Ninh

Vietnam is preparing for a major shift in its tourism and gaming landscape. Sun Group has secured approval to build a US$2 billion integrated resort in Quang Ninh Province, complete with a casino that will welcome local players under a revised regulatory model.

Good to know

• The Van Don project will be developed over 244.5 hectares in three construction phases.
• Locals can enter with a daily levy of about US$100 or a monthly pass of US$2,000.
• The resort will include hotels, convention centers, sports facilities, and wellness services.

The Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee confirmed that Don Sun Joint Stock Company, a Sun Group subsidiary, will oversee the development inside the Van Don Economic Zone. Of the total site, 182.4 hectares are set aside for construction while 62.1 hectares will remain preserved as natural forest.

The project revives Vietnam’s experiment with allowing citizens to gamble, which had previously been tested only at the Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc Island. That trial was disrupted by the pandemic, but the government has now replaced strict financial checks with a straightforward entry levy—VND2.5 million (about US$100) for 24 hours or VND50 million (about US$2,000) for a month.

Construction is expected to run for nine years once land allocation is finalized, split into three investment phases: VND25.1 trillion (US$964 million) for phase one, VND22.1 trillion (US$849 million) for phase two, and VND4.3 trillion (US$165 million) for phase three.

The “Van Don Integrated Casino & Tourism Complex” will deliver far more than gaming. Plans include luxury resorts, condotels, retail hubs, convention and exhibition centers, international-standard sports and leisure facilities, and premium wellness services. Cultural shows, live entertainment, and 24-hour activities will make it a year-round attraction.

Nguyen Quang Huy, chairman of Sun Group Northern Region, said:

“We believe this project will create unprecedented experiences for guests, while making a significant contribution to Quang Ninh’s economy and driving the Van Don Economic Zone forward to become a new benchmark of tourism and entertainment in Vietnam.”

Sun Group expects the development to elevate Van Don into the same conversation as global destinations like Macau and Las Vegas. By combining world-class infrastructure with a local-friendly casino model, the project aims to strengthen Vietnam’s position in international tourism.

The approval builds on Sun Group’s long-standing role in transforming Quang Ninh’s economy. Previous projects include Van Don International Airport, Ha Long International Cruise Port, the Ha Long–Van Don and Van Don–Mong Cai expressways, and popular attractions such as Sun World Ha Long and Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh.