Vietnam aims to generate $2.4 billion in revenue from the gaming industry by 2029
Gaming Galore: Vietnam's Digital Goldmine
Get ready to roll those dice, Vietnam's gaming industry is on a roll and set to reel in a whopping $2.42 billion by 2029! The numbers don't lie, the sector is expected to grow at a blistering 9.77% CAGR before reaching that mega milestone. Let's take a gander at what's making this Asian tiger's gaming industry so darn purr-fect.
Hanoi, here we go! By 2025, the gaming industry in good ol' Vietnam is projected to rake in a cool $1.66 billion. But there's more to this story than just dollar signs, our digital economy seems to be on the rise with online entertainment playing a key part in the economic and technological development of the country. What's got the locals and developers so psyched?
Industry experts say it's all about demographics, baby! Vietnam's got a youthful, digitally-savvy population who are quick to catch on to new technology trends, making them a prime market for both homegrown and international game developers. The number of online games getting licensed and released each year is growing faster than a well-fed squid, illustrating the increasing demand for interactive digital content.
In recent times, Vietnam has transformed into not just a hardcore consumer of online games, but also a significant development and outsourcing hub. Home-grown games like Free Fire, Caravan War, Metal Squad, and Arena of Survivors, developed by 100% local teams, have earned global recognition. It's clear the expertise of Vietnamese developers in content creation and game production is growing by leaps and bounds.
These days, online gaming is officially recognized as a sub-sector of the digital content industry in Vietnam. With high intellectual property value, this industry contributes significantly to the economy in various ways like generating revenue, creating employment for IT professionals, and boosting exports of digital products.
A report by the Ministry of Information and Communications puts the spotlight on Vietnam's strong position in the global mobile gaming sector. From 2022 to 2025, Vietnam and Southeast Asia are projected to record the highest mobile game growth rate in the world at a staggering 7.4% annually.
A separate report from Statista in 2024 predicts mobile game revenue in Vietnam will reach a mind-blowing $712 million by 2029. In the global competitiveness race, Vietnam ranks among the top five mobile game-producing countries in the world according to Bloomberg in 2023, with a whopping 4.2 billion global downloads - double the global average!
So what's been the secret sauce for this digital gold rush? Enter TikTok! This social media platform has played a game-changing role in how online games are marketed and discovered.
TikTok data from 2024 reveals that 59% of users discovered new games through creative content on the platform and 64% engaged with game content integrated with music, lifestyle, and entertainment themes. TikTok's tools and algorithms have helped game publishers in Vietnam achieve stellar performance metrics as some game titles saw installations increase by over 313%, with return on advertising spend (ROAS) 58 times higher than industry averages! Cost-per-install (CPI) for certain campaigns dropped by between 35–72%. It's clear that digital platforms like TikTok are shaping the dynamics of Vietnam's gaming market in exciting ways.
At the TikTok Hanoi Gaming Summit in 2025, Maayan Kolter, Global Development Director of Gaming at TikTok, said "Vietnam is on the verge of becoming one of the leading creative powerhouses of the gaming industry in Southeast Asia. With a dedicated game-building community and government backing, local publishers aren't just creating successful games domestically, but also reaching global audiences."
Đỗ Việt Hùng, vice president of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) and president of the Vietnamese Entertainment Electronic Sports Association (VIRESA), said "Vietnam's gaming industry is undergoing a massive transformation, both in terms of production capability and connectivity with users." "Embracing digital platforms like TikTok to promote creative content and build community is a strategic step forward for the industry. It empowers local publishers to compete globally by adapting quickly to market trends," he added.
The Hanoi summit also unveiled new marketing tools and strategic solutions designed to help game publishers optimize performance throughout a game's life cycle, from pre-launch promotion to community engagement and long-term player retention. TikTok representatives pledged their ongoing support for Vietnam's gaming industry, offering customized solutions for content localization, trend forecasting, and cross-platform promotion to promote sustainable development.
The sector is expected to generate US$1.66 billion by the end of 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.77 per cent in the following years. Photo nguoiquansat.vn
In conclusion, as Vietnam continues to make a name for itself in the global gaming market, collaboration among government agencies, technology platforms, and private developers will be essential to maintaining competitiveness and fostering innovation. The Vietnam gaming industry isn't just making money; it's playing a vital role in the digital economy. With government backing and growing engagement from global platforms, it's clear Vietnam is on track to become a major player in the global gaming landscape. Game on! - VNS.
Enrichment Data:- Vietnam’s gaming industry growth is driven by multiple factors: * Digital infrastructure expansion * Government-led tech modernization and regulatory streamlining * Shift to high-value tech sectors like AI-driven gaming solutions and mobile-first experiences * Regional market dynamics- Projected growth drivers: * Mobile Gaming * Globalization * Regulatory Modernization * Tech Investments
These factors collectively position Vietnam’s gaming industry for sustained growth, supported by digital infrastructure and strategic global integration.
- The government's support and tech modernization are key factors in Vietnam's growing gaming industry.
- Labor in the gaming industry, particularly IT professionals, are crucial in the economic and technological development of Vietnam.
- Vietnam's youthful, digitally-savvy population and their quick adoption of new technology trends make them an attractive market for both local and international game developers.
- The global recognition of Vietnamese-developed games like Free Fire, Caravan War, Metal Squad, and Arena of Survivors show the growing expertise of Vietnamese developers in content creation and game production.
- Online gaming is recognized as a sub-sector of the digital content industry in Vietnam, contributing significantly to the economy through revenue generation, employment, and exports of digital products.
- The mobile gaming sector in Vietnam is projected to record the highest growth rate in the world, making it a significant player in the global market.
- By 2029, mobile game revenue in Vietnam is predicted to reach $712 million, with Vietnam ranking among the top five mobile game-producing countries globally.
- TikTok is a game-changing platform in how online games are marketed and discovered, with 59% of users discovering new games through TikTok content, and game titles seeing increased installations and higher return on advertising spend (ROAS) due to TikTok's tools and algorithms.
- Collaboration between government agencies, technology platforms, and private developers will be essential in maintaining competitiveness and fostering innovation in the Vietnamese gaming industry, which is playing a vital role in the country's digital economy.
