Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province is about to get a major tourism shakeup. Sun Group has broken ground on a $2 billion integrated casino and resort city in Van Don, promising to turn the area into a high-profile playground for both domestic and international visitors.
A Bold Bet on the North
Spanning more than 244 hectares in the Van Don Economic Zone, the project is being marketed as a full-scale “resort city.” Think all-day, all-night leisure: hotels, resorts, shops, dining, and entertainment—wrapped in a sleek, internationally-styled package. The first phase includes a massive Marriott-branded hotel with thousands of rooms, beachfront villas, and a range of attractions aimed at keeping tourists in town longer.
The design leans heavily on nature, with the “Art in Landscape” concept shaping open, pedestrian-friendly public spaces and scenic boulevards. The goal? Keep foot traffic flowing year-round, not just during peak seasons.
Casino to Welcome Local Players
At the heart of the project is a casino—more specifically, a pilot-licensed venue where Vietnamese citizens will be allowed to gamble, a rare setup under current law. The gaming component is positioned as a marquee draw and a potential rival to Asia’s biggest casino destinations like Macau and Singapore. According to Sun Group, the casino is slated to open in 2028, with full completion of the resort city planned by late 2034.
This approach follows a 2017 government policy that allows locals to gamble at select casinos, aiming to keep some of the money currently flowing to foreign venues within Vietnam’s borders.
Backed by Big Policy and Bigger Numbers
The project is one of several launched as part of a coordinated national initiative marking key anniversaries and policy milestones. Government officials see the resort as a stepping stone toward transforming Van Don into a marine-based economic and tourism hub. It also comes with high hopes for local economic returns—from job creation to rising property values and increased tourist spending.
Sun Group Deputy General Director Nguyen Thai Hoai Anh said the development would help create “a well-regulated and sustainable service sector,” while boosting Van Don’s push toward becoming a next-gen economic zone.
Prime Location, Prime Timing
Situated near Bai Tu Long Bay and close to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, the resort benefits from a prized natural backdrop. The area’s accessibility has improved dramatically with the launch of Van Don International Airport and new expressways linking it to other key cities like Ha Long and Mong Cai.
The December 19 groundbreaking aligned with a broader investment surge in the province. Alongside Sun Group’s resort, construction kicked off on 26 new projects worth a combined VND383 trillion. Local officials expect Quang Ninh’s 2025 GRDP to jump by nearly 12%, with per capita income projected to top $10,400.
What It Means for Casino Players
For Vietnamese players, this development could mark a shift in how and where they gamble. Instead of flying to Cambodia or Macau, they might soon have a world-class casino experience closer to home—one where the government sets the rules, collects the taxes, and keeps the winnings in the country. For international tourists, it adds a new casino destination to the Asia-Pacific map, this time with a strong focus on natural beauty and high-end hospitality.
Whether it lives up to the “resort city” hype remains to be seen—but with $2 billion on the table, Sun Group is clearly going all in.
