Before online gaming became popular in Vietnam, many Vietnamese engaged in mobile gaming via their Nokia phones. Back then, the famous Snake game was the rave of the moment. Even the gaming cafes had limited or no access to the internet. People could only play pre-installed computer video games like Age of Empire and Counter-Strike.
Today, online gaming is the new trend in the country. Online video games have become more popular, and Vietnamese are now interested in titles like Call of Duty, Arena of Valor, PUBG, FIFA Online, etc. High-speed internet services and the introduction of smartphones, as well as the use of Vietnam eSIM connections by both locals and tourists alike, have made it easier and more convenient to play these games on the go or from the comfort of one’s home.
Growing side by side the online gaming sector is the online casino industry. Many Vietnamese players now enjoy playing games like slots, blackjack, bingo, and roulette for real money at sòng bài trực tuyến (online casinos). They play these games using Vietnamese Dong (VND) via payment portals like Momo, VNPay, and Onepay. However, not all sites accept VND. Therefore, check out reviews from comparison sites to learn about the casinos that accept VND.
These comparison sites go as far as providing all the information you need about online casinos. In addition, on the platform, you’re able to claim a welcome bonus to get started.
Important Trends in Vietnam’s Online and Mobile Games Market
1. Chinese Card Battle, Strategy, and RPG Games
Vietnam’s online games market is primarily dominated by strategy, card battles, and RPG titles by Chinese developers. The popularity of these games is fueled by the Vietnamese players’ preference for the Chinese gaming style over UI and graphics.
The most played game in the country is IGG’s Lords Mobile. It is a strategy game that allows you to create your own empire. The strong promotion and localization of IGG’s Lords Mobile make it more popular than other Chinese games like Clash of Kings and Clash of Clans.
2. MOBA Genre
Though traditional genres like strategy, RPG, and MMO dominate the market, MOBA genres are gradually taking over. The influence of the MOBA Genre can be attributed to the evolution of the Vietnamese gaming market. Smartphone gaming is on the increase. Also, the younger players’ flair for competitive and social gaming is changing the market landscape.
Titles like League of Legends, Arena of Valor, Mobile Legends, Rise of Kings, etc., are now the games of choice. Arena of Valor, produced by Garena and Tencent Games, is the second most-played game in Vietnam, followed by Mobile Legends from Moontoon. War Robots is another popular MOBA shooter game. These three games are the driving force behind the MOBA genre in Vietnam.
3. Battle Royale
Battle royale games are among the top 5 mobile gaming trends globally. In fact, they are taking the Vietnamese mobile gaming market by storm. Within a few months of the release of NetEase’s Rules of Survival game, it became the third most downloaded game in the country.
The gameplay is similar to PUBG but optimized for mobile phones. This underlines the craze for mobile battle royale games among Vietnamese players.
4. Casual Games
Being a country with a low average revenue per user, Vietnamese players prefer games that don’t encourage high spending. Most of the players only play games that do not require funds. That’s why casual games top the game’s download chart in the country. Casual games like Zombie Tsunami, Subway Surfers, My Talking Angela, and My Talking Tom are very popular.
One casual game that is set to knock off other games from the downloads chart is Roblox. This game allows players to build their world in any way they deem fit using bricks.
5. Local Games
Dong Nguyen spotlighted Vietnam’s mobile market in 2013 when he created the Flappy Bird game for mobile phones. This marked the establishment of many other game studios in the country. Studios like Gamota, Funtap, VTC, and VNG quickly became household names among Vietnamese players.
VNG has about three games in the top ten revenue and downloads charts. Local games like Gunny Mobi, Ica – Ban Ca, and 360mobi Ngoi Sao Bo Lac is very popular in Vietnam.
