Online betting in Vietnam is still in its infancy and was illegal until recently, though it still remains something of a grey area. In this article, we investigate whether there are any Vietnam betting sites that are accessible to punters in the country, and delve into the legal situation in more detail.
- Online Betting in Vietnam
- Is Betting in Vietnam Legal?
- Bitcoin Betting in Vietnam
- Choosing a Good Vietnam Betting Site
- Popular Payment Methods for Vietnamese Punters
- Live Betting in Vietnam
- How To Bet Online in Vietnam
- Popular Sports in Vietnam
- Best Vietnam Betting Sites Ranked
- Other Country Betting Guides – Click Each Flag To Learn More
- Vietnam Betting Sites FAQs
- ThePuntersPage Final Say
- References
The Best Vietnam Betting Sites Online
£30 Matched Free Bet if your first Acca loses + 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz 18+ New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football or Horse Racing multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz (£0.10 per spin) credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. No wagering requirements on free spin winnings. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. Full T&Cs apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org #ad
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Online Betting in Vietnam
As rocky a landscape as Vietnam itself, online betting in this country is a tricky subject to navigate. Reforms in government policy since 2017 have made some forms of land-based betting legal, but the same cannot be said about online gambling.1
There are no laws allowing online betting in the country, which means the practice is still technicaldly illegal. Nevertheless, the general consensus is that it's a grey area, as local authorities don't enforce laws against online betting either.
This has allowed international bookmakers who don't fall under Vietnamese jurisdiction to swoop in – creating a new market for online betting for the first time. This isn't illegal as long as the betting operators don't operate directly in Vietnam.
What Does This Mean for Punters?
Essentially, this means that there are no regulated online betting sites in Vietnam, with many sites even blocked in the region. The main problem for bettors is that you aren't protected by the state if you're scammed or defrauded. This can be avoided by joining a trusted bookie, which is where our above list of recommended sites comes in. These have all been vetted for legitimacy and hold the required licences and credentials, meaning that they are safe for punters to sign up to.
You also may need a VPN to bet in Vietnam – without one, you’ll most likely not be able to access most betting sites. See our in-depth article on the best VPN betting sites for everything you need to know about this subject.
Is Betting in Vietnam Legal?
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam – as it is known by its full name – is quite strict when it comes to betting, as is the case in many countries in the region. Until 2017, all forms of gambling were illegal, and thousands of citizens visited neighbouring Cambodia every day for the sole purpose of gambling.
Reform finally came in 2017 with the first laws allowing a small number of casinos to operate for international customers with foreign passports. Eventually, sports betting on international football, horse racing and greyhound racing was also legalised in land-based establishments.
Later in 2017, Vietnamese gamblers were finally allowed to enter casinos in the country – although there are still a number of restrictions. Gamblers must be over 21 years old to enter, their annual income must be at least 10 million dong (£342.52) per month and, most bizarrely, they must have the permission of a family member.2
Is Online Betting Legal?
It’s illegal for all online betting sites to operate in Vietnam, which means you won’t find any Vietnamese sites – if you do, they’re either illegal or most likely a scam.
Vietnam has no jurisdiction over international bookmakers licensed in other countries, so you’re free to bet on any internationally licensed site. You as a punter, are also not liable for placing bets on these sites.
The Vietnamese government has done its best to discourage online betting and has even managed to ban over 180 sites from the country. Therefore, as we have already mentioned, it’s a good idea to invest in a VPN.
Bitcoin Betting in Vietnam
Cryptocurrencies are a huge industry in Vietnam; an estimated 17% of the Vietnamese population has joined the crypto market in one way or another. That’s over 16 million people! Most people own Bitcoin as their main or only cryptocurrency source.
Crypto has become a viable option for online betting, and many operators have started to offer many different currencies. The volatility of the market adds risk when using Bitcoin – but it could be a great opportunity to trade cryptocurrencies and make even more winnings.
The following betting sites are available in Vietnam and accept Bitcoin and other forms of cryptocurrencies for deposits, withdrawals, and trading.
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Cloudbet
If you plan on using Bitcoin as your main payment method, Cloudbet is perfect for you! It is also one of the few betting sites that offer a welcome bonus via Bitcoin, with a 100% match up to 5BTC. Besides their sportsbook, they also provide a casino section, offering various slots and table games.
Bitcoin isn't the only cryptocurrency that can be used at Cloudbet – the operator accepts 43 different currencies, including Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Dash and many others, some of which even have their own dedicated casino pages.
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BC.GAME
Another exceptional Bitcoin betting site, BC.GAME is quite a unique operator. The bookie offers 18 different crypto options and is a great platform for betting with cryptocurrencies.
Particularly interesting is the fact that punters can actually buy and sell crypto, rather than just deposit and withdraw. This means that BC.GAME is also a trading platform.
For more information, check out our overview of the best crypto betting sites to learn more about this topic. Are you specifically interested in Bitcoin betting sites? Well, we have a dedicated page for that too!
Choosing a Good Vietnam Betting Site
There are a number of key factors to keep in mind if you want to have a good sports betting experience in Vietnam. Below, we've listed the most important:
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Make sure you sign up with a trusted betting site. All the sites we have listed above are all internationally recognised bookmakers and 100% safe to use.
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Choose a betting site that offers multiple languages, including Vietnamese and English.
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Find a bookie that accepts your preferred currency, be it pounds, euros or Vietnamese dong.
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Go for a site that offers different ways of displaying odds, such as fractional, decimal or Hong Kong style.
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Look for a bookie with an extensive in-play market, that ideally also offers livestreaming as well as live updates.
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Keep your eyes peeled for a generous welcome offer and frequent promotions to get the best bang for your buck.
Popular Payment Methods for Vietnamese Punters
There is a wide range of payment methods to choose from in Vietnam. Traditional options are always available, including VISA and Mastercard.
There are thousands of different e-wallet options in Asia, and the most common include PayPal, NETELLER and Skrill; there are many others too, but they are not offered on every site. Vietnamese punters also tend to use local options: VTC Pay and MoMo.
Last but not least, as mentioned in an earlier section, cryptocurrency betting is very popular in Vietnam and many bookmakers offer a decent number of currencies, with Bitcoin is by far the most widely used crypto payment method.
In general, many Asian betting sites offer an overwhelming number of payment methods to accommodate the many countries in which they operate. Use this to your advantage and find the best method for you!
Live Betting in Vietnam
Live betting has become an important part of modern betting as punters are increasingly gravitating towards this dynamic form of wagering. Bookies have responded positively to this, and have significantly improved in-play markets to the point where they’re now almost as extensive as their pre-match counterparts.
The best providers all offer some form of in-play betting, and the bookmakers we have selected are perhaps the best among them with their fantastic sports options, competitive odds, and bet builder features.
In-play betting can be one of the best ways to find value and make the most of your bets. Some classic examples of live betting are:
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Fulltime betting – This involves placing a wager on the final outcome of a match, which becomes particularly intriguing if a strongly favoured team concedes an early goal. This scenario often leads to exciting odds and potential upsets..
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Goalscorer betting – Here, you are required to pick a goalscorer to score at any point during a match.
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Yellow card betting – This is another lucrative market to bet on, especially if a player has already been cautioned by the referee.
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Over/under corner bets – These revolve around predicting the number of corners in a match, which is influenced by how the game unfolds.
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Set piece betting – This involves anything from free kicks, throw-ins and goal kicks.
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Asian goal line betting – This market requires you to place an over/under bet on the total number of goals scored in a match, with the advantage of having a stake returned if a certain number of goals is achieved. This provides a degree of insurance and flexibility in your betting strategy.
Livestreaming
Livestreaming is becoming more common across online bookmakers as it offers an added bonus to customers – both in terms of ease of use and simply as a valuable betting tool.
Not all sports are livestreamed; what is available can depend on a number of factors, including broadcast rights, TV deals, and restrictions in each country. In most cases, sporting events such as the Premier League aren't livestreamed, as the cost to operators is astronomical.
On the other hand, sports such as tennis, table tennis, basketball and others – all of which have a large Vietnamese fan base – are regularly broadcast by top bookmakers.
In our opinion, bet365 offer the best livestreaming services, with a wide range of sports and events that can be viewed live.
How To Bet Online in Vietnam
Online betting from Vietnam is just as easy as in the UK, thanks to the bookmakers available in the country, most of whom are also highly popular in much of Europe.
Registering a new account is simple; all you need to do is provide the site with some personal details, account information, and finally some form of verification such as copies of your passport or ID card.
Once you've signed up, the method of depositing into your account may vary slightly across different sites; however, the general process is to go to the ‘My Account' section, select “Deposit”, choose your preferred method, and enter the amount of funds you'd like to transfer. With some bookmakers it's even easier, as you may find a ‘Deposit' button at the top-left or right of the home screen.
If you are new to the world of betting, we recommend sticking to sports you know and understand. There are many interesting and unique sports out there available to bet on, but betting on them when you know nothing about them is basically a losing proposition.
Popular Sports in Vietnam
Sports hold immense popularity in Vietnam, though football stands as the undisputed king, reigning as the most beloved and widely embraced sport in the country. Below we've listed the most popular in the nation and among punters.
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Football has continued to grow in popularity thanks to the relative success of the national team, which has qualified for the upcoming Asian Cup and finished in the top three in the last five editions of the AFF Cup (a tournament for Southeast Asian nations), winning the competition in 2018.
Besides football, volleyball, badminton and wrestling are also popular, as are many forms of Vietnamese martial arts. When it comes to betting, horse racing and greyhound racing are very common – so much so that both have been made legal in the country.
Best Vietnam Betting Sites Ranked
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Betway
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Matchbook
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bet365
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BC.GAME
Other Country Betting Guides – Click Each Flag To Learn More
Planning on taking a holiday, or relocating for good to one of these countries? These articles will keep you up to date on all you need to know about betting in a specific country. Looking for a general overview of betting abroad? Check out our extensive international betting guide.
Vietnam Betting Sites FAQs
In 2017, Vietnam legalised various forms of land-based betting. Online betting, however, remains in a state of limbo. International bookmakers are fully legal to use in the country, although they cannot operate within its borders.
Our comprehensive list of all offer an excellent product, and our picks for the best betting sites in Vietnam are Betway, bet365, and Matchbook.
Traditional payment methods, including debit cards, PayPal, Skrill and NETELLER, are all offered. VTC Pay and MoMo are favoured amongst the locals, whilst Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are also now widely used.
Yes, Bitcoin has become increasingly popular in Vietnam, and so have betting sites that specialise in crypto betting in general.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
The global surge in popularity of gambling shows no signs of slowing down. In 2017, Vietnam joined the bandwagon and took the first steps towards legalising land-based betting. However, when it comes to Vietnam, there still remains a lot of uncertainty surrounding the legal situation of online gambling in the country. To ensure a seamless experience as a punter and to wager with greater peace of mind, we highly recommend our carefully curated selection of reputable bookmakers listed above.
References
1 Online gambling in Vietnam – History & Laws. Available at: https://www.gambling.com/country-overviews/vietnam.
2 Gambling regulations in Vietnam (2021) i Tour Vietnam. Available at: https://www.itourvn.com/blog/gambling-regulations-in-vietnam.