Hanoi (VNA) – Sun Group officially broke ground on the high-end integrated casino tourism services complex in Van Don Economic Zone, Quang Ninh province, on December 19.
The event is part of a nationwide series of large-scale projects simultaneously launched and inaugurated to commemorate the 79th anniversary of the National Resistance Day and in celebration of the 14th National Party Congress.
The integrated casino tourism complex in Van Don Economic Zone carries a total investment of up to 2 billion USD and is developed on an area exceeding 244 hectares. The project is planned under a modern “resort city” model, aiming to create a regional-scale entertainment and tourism destination meeting international standards, integrating a wide range of tourism, accommodation, commercial, and entertainment functions, and operating on a 24/7 basis.
The overall master planning concept is built upon the philosophy of “Art in Landscape,” in which landscape is not merely a background element but is treated as an open artistic space, creating a strong and cohesive visual identity across the entire complex.
With an open urban structure, seamlessly connected landscape axes, plazas, and pedestrian boulevards, the project is designed to form a green, beautiful, and highly convenient destination capable of retaining visitors for extended stays and fostering a vibrant tourism lifestyle throughout all four seasons.
In the first phase, the development will feature a large-scale hotel complex under the Marriott brand with thousands of international-standard rooms, combined with beachfront resort villas, commercial shophouse zones, and a comprehensive system of large-scale service and entertainment amenities. Commercial streets, culinary spaces, shopping areas, and cultural and artistic activities are expected to generate a continuous flow of visitors, unlocking significant potential for future service and commercial operations.
The project will develop a system of indoor and outdoor recreational facilities, landscaped parks, performance venues, and community experience spaces. A key highlight is the pilot casino gaming and entertainment area allowing Vietnamese citizens to participate in accordance with Government policy, enhancing Van Don’s attractiveness and aiming to establish a model capable of competing with major global entertainment destinations such as Macau (China), Singapore, and Las Vegas (the US).
Upon completion, the complex is expected to become the first large-scale resort city in Northern Vietnam, welcoming a substantial number of visitors from Northeast Asia and the domestic market, generating strong momentum for commercial activities, services, and resort real estate. This is a breakthrough opportunity that Van Don has awaited for many years. The casino component is scheduled to be inaugurated in 2028, with full project completion targeted for the fourth quarter of 2034.
The groundbreaking takes place against the backdrop of Quang Ninh continuing to lead the nation in economic growth. In 2025, the province’s GRDP is estimated to grow by 11.89%, GRDP per capita is projected to exceed 10,400 USD, and state budget revenue is expected to reach 82,235 billion VND.
The simultaneous commencement of 26 projects with a total investment of 383,000 billion VND, alongside the inauguration of five projects on December 19, demonstrates the province’s strong determination to complete infrastructure development, advance smokeless industries, and create breakthroughs for the local economy. Among these major initiatives, the integrated tourism and entertainment complex in Van Don is regarded as a centrepiece with particularly strategic importance.
Nguyen Thai Hoai Anh, Deputy General Director of Sun Group shared: “Sun Group is honoured to be entrusted by the Government and Quang Ninh province to implement this strategically significant project. With the orientation toward developing a world-class resort city, together with the pilot policy allowing Vietnamese citizens to participate in gaming entertainment, we expect the project to contribute to the formation of a new, well-regulated, and sustainable service sector. More importantly, it will serve as a driving force helping Van Don move closer to its goal of becoming a modern marine economic zone and a regional-scale tourism and entertainment hub, delivering long-term value to the community and the local economy.”
Located within the Bai Tu Long Bay complex and adjacent to the Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage site, Van Don possesses a pristine island and marine ecosystem, majestic landscapes, a clean climate, and outstanding potential for resort tourism, marine economy development, and high-end entertainment services.
In recent years, Van Don has undergone a strong transformation in infrastructure, particularly with contributions from Sun Group. Van Don International Airport, Vietnam’s first privately developed international airport, has opened strategic connectivity between Van Don and major domestic and international economic centres. Alongside this, the Ha Long – Van Don and Van Don – Mong Cai expressways have made the economic zone the most accessible destination in the Northeast region, significantly shortening travel times and laying a foundation for attracting high-quality visitor flows.
The project is also positioned along a connectivity axis linking unique wellness and onsen-style resort destinations in Quang Hanh, Quang Ninh, the largest entertainment complex in Northern Vietnam at Sun World Ha Long, and the Ha Long International Passenger Port, which serves visitors exploring Ha Long Bay, along with a wide array of distinctive amenities. Together, these elements transform the journey of exploring the heritage region into a seamless and compelling experience that few destinations worldwide can offer.
With a total investment exceeding 2 billion USD, the project is expected to create a new growth pole, contributing to the transformation of Van Don into a next-generation special economic zone on par with regional and global standards, serving as a centre for the entertainment industry, cultural industries with casino operations, high-end island and marine tourism, and integrated services of international caliber./.
