Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market

Vietnam mobile gaming and esports market, valued at USD 1.2 Bn, is growing due to rising smartphone use, better internet, and esports regulations, with key segments in action games and casual gamers.

Region:Asia

Author(s):Geetanshi

Product Code:KRAB5197

Pages:90

Published On:October 2025

About the Report

Base Year 2024

Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Overview

  • The Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market is valued at USD 1.2 billion, based on a five-year historical analysis. This growth is primarily driven by the increasing penetration of smartphones, improved internet connectivity, and a burgeoning youth demographic that is highly engaged in mobile gaming and esports activities. Additional growth drivers include the proliferation of microtransactions, downloadable content, and the rise of game streaming platforms and influencers, which have expanded both user engagement and monetization opportunities .
  • Key cities such asHo Chi Minh CityandHanoicontinue to dominate the market due to their high population density, urbanization, and vibrant tech ecosystems. These cities host a large number of gaming companies and a significant portion of the gaming community, fostering a competitive environment that encourages innovation and growth. Regional analysis confirms that Northern and Southern Vietnam are the primary hubs for gaming activity and industry development .
  • In 2023, the Vietnamese government implemented regulations to promote the development of the esports industry, including the establishment of a legal framework for esports tournaments and player contracts. The principal regulatory instrument is the "Decision No. 721/QD-BVHTTDL, 2023" issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which sets operational standards for esports event organizers, requires licensing for official tournaments, and mandates contractual protections for professional players. This initiative aims to create a more structured environment for esports, enhancing its legitimacy and attracting investment.
Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Size

Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Segmentation

By Type:The mobile gaming market in Vietnam is diverse, encompassing various types of games that cater to different consumer preferences. The major subsegments include Action/Adventure Games, Casino Games, Sports and Role-Playing Games (RPG), Strategy and Brain Games, Puzzle Games, Simulation Games, and Others.Action/Adventure Gamesare particularly popular due to their engaging narratives and immersive gameplay, appealing to a wide audience. Casino Games have also gained traction, especially with the rise of online gambling platforms. The market is characterized by a growing trend towards mobile gaming, driven by the increasing availability of high-quality games, the convenience of mobile devices, and the expansion of localized content and culturally relevant marketing campaigns .

Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market segmentation by Type.

By End-User:The end-user segmentation of the mobile gaming market includes Casual Gamers, Competitive Gamers, Professional Esports Players, and Streaming Content Creators.Casual Gamersrepresent the largest segment, driven by the accessibility of mobile games and the appeal of quick, engaging gameplay. Competitive Gamers and Professional Esports Players are also significant, as the esports scene continues to grow, attracting more players and viewers. Streaming Content Creators have emerged as a vital part of the ecosystem, influencing game popularity and driving engagement through platforms like Twitch and YouTube. The rise of game streaming and influencer marketing has further expanded the reach and impact of this segment .

Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market segmentation by End-User.

Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Competitive Landscape

The Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market is characterized by a dynamic mix of regional and international players. Leading participants such as VNG Corporation, Garena Vietnam, MoMo (M_Service JSC), Funtap, Appota Group, SohaGame (VCCorp), Gameloft Vietnam, NetEase Games, Tencent Games, Riot Games, Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Axie Infinity (Sky Mavis), PUBG Mobile (Krafton/Tencent), Kingsoft contribute to innovation, geographic expansion, and service delivery in this space.

VNG Corporation

2004

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Garena Vietnam

2009

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

MoMo (M_Service JSC)

2010

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Funtap

2015

Hanoi, Vietnam

Appota Group

2011

Hanoi, Vietnam

Company

Establishment Year

Headquarters

Company Size (Large, Medium, Small)

Monthly Active Users (MAU)

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

Retention Rate (30-day, 90-day)

Daily/Monthly Engagement Rate

Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Industry Analysis

Growth Drivers

  • Increasing Smartphone Penetration:As of future, Vietnam's smartphone penetration rate is projected to reach73%, with approximately72 million smartphone users. This surge is driven by affordable devices, with prices averaging around $150. The World Bank reports that mobile internet subscriptions have increased toover 100 million, facilitating access to mobile gaming. This growing user base is expected to significantly boost engagement in mobile gaming and esports, creating a vibrant ecosystem for developers and players alike.
  • Rising Disposable Income:Vietnam's GDP per capita is anticipated to rise toUSD 4,300in future, reflecting a6%increase from the previous year. This economic growth is leading to higher disposable incomes, allowing consumers to spend more on entertainment, including mobile gaming. The average monthly expenditure on gaming is projected to reachUSD 15per user, indicating a robust market potential. As disposable income rises, more individuals are likely to invest in mobile games and esports, driving market expansion.
  • Expanding Internet Connectivity:By future, Vietnam's internet penetration is expected to exceed75%, with over70 million active internet users. The government’s initiatives to improve infrastructure, including the rollout of 5G technology, are crucial in enhancing connectivity. Faster internet speeds, averaging50 Mbps, will facilitate smoother gaming experiences and attract more players. This improved connectivity is essential for the growth of online gaming and esports, enabling real-time interactions and competitive play.

Market Challenges

  • Intense Competition:The Vietnamese mobile gaming market is characterized by fierce competition, with over400 active game studios. Major players like Garena and VNG dominate the landscape, making it challenging for new entrants to gain market share. The influx of international titles further intensifies this competition, as local developers struggle to differentiate their offerings. This saturation can lead to reduced profit margins and increased marketing costs, posing significant challenges for sustainability.
  • Regulatory Hurdles:The Vietnamese government imposes strict regulations on gaming content, including licensing requirements that can take several months to process. In future, the Ministry of Information and Communications is expected to enforce new regulations regarding data protection and age restrictions, complicating compliance for developers. These regulatory challenges can hinder innovation and slow down the entry of new games into the market, impacting overall growth potential.

Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Future Outlook

The future of Vietnam's mobile gaming and esports market appears promising, driven by technological advancements and a growing user base. The rise of cloud gaming and augmented reality (AR) experiences is expected to reshape the gaming landscape, attracting more players. Additionally, the increasing popularity of esports tournaments will likely foster community engagement and investment. As local developers adapt to regulatory changes, the market is poised for innovation, creating a dynamic environment for growth and collaboration among stakeholders.

Market Opportunities

  • Expansion of Mobile Payment Systems:With mobile payment transactions projected to reachUSD 15 billion to USD 20 billionin future, the integration of seamless payment solutions in gaming can enhance user experience. This growth presents an opportunity for developers to implement in-game purchases and subscriptions, driving revenue. As more users adopt mobile wallets, the potential for monetization in mobile gaming will significantly increase, benefiting both developers and players.
  • Development of Local Gaming Content:The demand for culturally relevant gaming content is on the rise, with local developers expected to create games that resonate with Vietnamese players. By future, the local gaming industry is projected to generateover USD 400 millionin revenue. This focus on local narratives and themes can attract a broader audience, fostering community engagement and loyalty, ultimately enhancing the market's growth trajectory.

Scope of the Report

SegmentSub-Segments
By Type

Action/Adventure Games

Casino Games

Sports and Role-Playing Games (RPG)

Strategy and Brain Games

Puzzle Games

Simulation Games

Others

By End-User

Casual Gamers

Competitive Gamers

Professional Esports Players

Streaming Content Creators

By Distribution Channel

App Stores

Online Platforms

Retail Outlets

Direct Downloads

By Game Genre

Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)

First-Person Shooter (FPS)

Card Games

Adventure Games

By Age Group

Children (Under 12)

Teenagers (13-19)

Young Adults (20-35)

Adults (36 and above)

By Payment Model

Freemium (Free-to-Play with In-App Purchases)

Paid (One-Time Purchase)

Subscription-Based

Paymium (Paid + In-App Purchases)

By Device Type

Smartphones

Tablets

PCs & Laptops

Consoles

Key Target Audience

Investors and Venture Capitalist Firms

Government and Regulatory Bodies (e.g., Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

Game Developers and Publishers

Telecommunication Companies

Advertising Agencies

Esports Organizations and Teams

Payment Solution Providers

Media and Streaming Platforms

Players Mentioned in the Report:

VNG Corporation

Garena Vietnam

MoMo (M_Service JSC)

Funtap

Appota Group

SohaGame (VCCorp)

Gameloft Vietnam

NetEase Games

Tencent Games

Riot Games

Electronic Arts (EA)

Ubisoft

Axie Infinity (Sky Mavis)

PUBG Mobile (Krafton/Tencent)

Kingsoft

Table of Contents

Market Assessment Phase

1. Executive Summary and Approach


2. Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Overview

2.1 Key Insights and Strategic Recommendations

2.2 Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Overview

2.3 Definition and Scope

2.4 Evolution of Market Ecosystem

2.5 Timeline of Key Regulatory Milestones

2.6 Value Chain & Stakeholder Mapping

2.7 Business Cycle Analysis

2.8 Policy & Incentive Landscape


3. Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Analysis

3.1 Growth Drivers

3.1.1 Increasing smartphone penetration
3.1.2 Rising disposable income
3.1.3 Expanding internet connectivity
3.1.4 Growing interest in esports

3.2 Market Challenges

3.2.1 Intense competition
3.2.2 Regulatory hurdles
3.2.3 Monetization issues
3.2.4 Cultural resistance to gaming

3.3 Market Opportunities

3.3.1 Expansion of mobile payment systems
3.3.2 Development of local gaming content
3.3.3 Partnerships with telecom providers
3.3.4 Growth of streaming platforms

3.4 Market Trends

3.4.1 Rise of cloud gaming
3.4.2 Increased focus on AR/VR gaming
3.4.3 Emergence of mobile esports tournaments
3.4.4 Shift towards subscription models

3.5 Government Regulation

3.5.1 Licensing requirements for game developers
3.5.2 Age restrictions on gaming content
3.5.3 Tax incentives for local developers
3.5.4 Data protection regulations

4. SWOT Analysis


5. Stakeholder Analysis


6. Porter's Five Forces Analysis


7. Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Market Size, 2019-2024

7.1 By Value

7.2 By Volume

7.3 By Average Selling Price


8. Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Segmentation

8.1 By Type

8.1.1 Action/Adventure Games
8.1.2 Casino Games
8.1.3 Sports and Role-Playing Games (RPG)
8.1.4 Strategy and Brain Games
8.1.5 Puzzle Games
8.1.6 Simulation Games
8.1.7 Others

8.2 By End-User

8.2.1 Casual Gamers
8.2.2 Competitive Gamers
8.2.3 Professional Esports Players
8.2.4 Streaming Content Creators

8.3 By Distribution Channel

8.3.1 App Stores
8.3.2 Online Platforms
8.3.3 Retail Outlets
8.3.4 Direct Downloads

8.4 By Game Genre

8.4.1 Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)
8.4.2 First-Person Shooter (FPS)
8.4.3 Card Games
8.4.4 Adventure Games

8.5 By Age Group

8.5.1 Children (Under 12)
8.5.2 Teenagers (13-19)
8.5.3 Young Adults (20-35)
8.5.4 Adults (36 and above)

8.6 By Payment Model

8.6.1 Freemium (Free-to-Play with In-App Purchases)
8.6.2 Paid (One-Time Purchase)
8.6.3 Subscription-Based
8.6.4 Paymium (Paid + In-App Purchases)

8.7 By Device Type

8.7.1 Smartphones
8.7.2 Tablets
8.7.3 PCs & Laptops
8.7.4 Consoles

9. Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Competitive Analysis

9.1 Market Share of Key Players

9.2 Cross Comparison of Key Players

9.2.1 Company Name
9.2.2 Company Size (Large, Medium, Small)
9.2.3 Monthly Active Users (MAU)
9.2.4 Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)
9.2.5 Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
9.2.6 Retention Rate (30-day, 90-day)
9.2.7 Daily/Monthly Engagement Rate
9.2.8 In-App Purchase Conversion Rate
9.2.9 Esports Tournament Participation/Reach
9.2.10 Revenue Growth Rate (YoY)

9.3 SWOT Analysis of Top Players

9.4 Pricing Analysis

9.5 Detailed Profile of Major Companies

9.5.1 VNG Corporation
9.5.2 Garena Vietnam
9.5.3 MoMo (M_Service JSC)
9.5.4 Funtap
9.5.5 Appota Group
9.5.6 SohaGame (VCCorp)
9.5.7 Gameloft Vietnam
9.5.8 NetEase Games
9.5.9 Tencent Games
9.5.10 Riot Games
9.5.11 Electronic Arts (EA)
9.5.12 Ubisoft
9.5.13 Axie Infinity (Sky Mavis)
9.5.14 PUBG Mobile (Krafton/Tencent)
9.5.15 Kingsoft

10. Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market End-User Analysis

10.1 Procurement Behavior of Key Ministries

10.1.1 Engagement with local developers
10.1.2 Budget allocation for gaming initiatives
10.1.3 Collaboration with educational institutions

10.2 Corporate Spend on Infrastructure & Energy

10.2.1 Investment in gaming infrastructure
10.2.2 Funding for esports events
10.2.3 Sponsorship of gaming tournaments

10.3 Pain Point Analysis by End-User Category

10.3.1 Accessibility of gaming platforms
10.3.2 Quality of internet connectivity
10.3.3 Availability of local content

10.4 User Readiness for Adoption

10.4.1 Familiarity with mobile gaming
10.4.2 Willingness to spend on in-game purchases
10.4.3 Interest in esports participation

10.5 Post-Deployment ROI and Use Case Expansion

10.5.1 Metrics for measuring success
10.5.2 Opportunities for content expansion
10.5.3 Feedback mechanisms for improvement

11. Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market Future Size, 2025-2030

11.1 By Value

11.2 By Volume

11.3 By Average Selling Price


Go-To-Market Strategy Phase

1. Whitespace Analysis + Business Model Canvas

1.1 Market Gaps Identification

1.2 Value Proposition Development

1.3 Revenue Streams Analysis

1.4 Customer Segmentation

1.5 Key Partnerships

1.6 Cost Structure

1.7 Channels of Distribution


2. Marketing and Positioning Recommendations

2.1 Branding strategies

2.2 Product USPs


3. Distribution Plan

3.1 Urban retail vs rural NGO tie-ups


4. Channel & Pricing Gaps

4.1 Underserved routes

4.2 Pricing bands


5. Unmet Demand & Latent Needs

5.1 Category gaps

5.2 Consumer segments


6. Customer Relationship

6.1 Loyalty programs

6.2 After-sales service


7. Value Proposition

7.1 Sustainability

7.2 Integrated supply chains


8. Key Activities

8.1 Regulatory compliance

8.2 Branding

8.3 Distribution setup


9. Entry Strategy Evaluation

9.1 Domestic Market Entry Strategy

9.1.1 Product mix
9.1.2 Pricing band
9.1.3 Packaging

9.2 Export Entry Strategy

9.2.1 Target countries
9.2.2 Compliance roadmap

10. Entry Mode Assessment

10.1 JV

10.2 Greenfield

10.3 M&A

10.4 Distributor Model


11. Capital and Timeline Estimation

11.1 Capital requirements

11.2 Timelines


12. Control vs Risk Trade-Off

12.1 Ownership vs Partnerships


13. Profitability Outlook

13.1 Breakeven analysis

13.2 Long-term sustainability


14. Potential Partner List

14.1 Distributors

14.2 JVs

14.3 Acquisition targets


15. Execution Roadmap

15.1 Phased Plan for Market Entry

15.1.1 Market Setup
15.1.2 Market Entry
15.1.3 Growth Acceleration
15.1.4 Scale & Stabilize

15.2 Key Activities and Milestones

15.2.1 Activity Planning
15.2.2 Milestone Tracking

Research Methodology

ApproachModellingSample

Phase 1: Approach1

Desk Research

  • Analysis of industry reports from local gaming associations and market research firms
  • Review of government publications on digital economy and internet penetration statistics
  • Examination of academic papers and case studies on mobile gaming trends in Vietnam

Primary Research

  • Interviews with key stakeholders in the mobile gaming and esports sectors, including developers and publishers
  • Surveys targeting gamers to understand preferences, spending habits, and engagement levels
  • Focus group discussions with esports enthusiasts to gauge community dynamics and event participation

Validation & Triangulation

  • Cross-validation of findings through multiple data sources, including sales data and user engagement metrics
  • Triangulation of insights from primary interviews with secondary data trends
  • Sanity checks conducted through expert panel reviews comprising industry veterans and analysts

Phase 2: Market Size Estimation1

Top-down Assessment

  • Estimation of total addressable market (TAM) based on national gaming revenue reports
  • Segmentation of the market by game genre, platform, and user demographics
  • Incorporation of growth rates from regional gaming markets and global trends

Bottom-up Modeling

  • Collection of revenue data from leading mobile game developers and esports organizations
  • Estimation of average revenue per user (ARPU) across different gaming segments
  • Analysis of in-game purchases and advertising revenue streams to build a comprehensive model

Forecasting & Scenario Analysis

  • Multi-factor regression analysis incorporating factors such as smartphone penetration and internet speed
  • Scenario planning based on potential regulatory changes and market entry of new players
  • Development of baseline, optimistic, and pessimistic forecasts through 2028

Phase 3: CATI Sample Composition1

Scope Item/SegmentSample SizeTarget Respondent Profiles
Mobile Game Players120Casual Gamers, Hardcore Gamers
Esports Participants60Professional Gamers, Amateur Competitors
Game Developers40Product Managers, Game Designers
Streaming Platform Users50Content Creators, Viewers
Industry Experts40Analysts, Market Researchers

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current value of the Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market?

The Vietnam Mobile Gaming and Esports Market is valued at approximately USD 1.2 billion, driven by factors such as smartphone penetration, improved internet connectivity, and a growing youth demographic engaged in gaming and esports activities.

What are the main growth drivers for the mobile gaming market in Vietnam?

Which cities are the primary hubs for mobile gaming in Vietnam?

What regulations has the Vietnamese government implemented for esports?

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