Vietnam’s casinos returning to life after COVID-19 closures

Vietnam’s casino operators are slowly coming back to life after the nationwide shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, Australian-listed casino operator Donaco International announced that it had lifted the temporary closure of its Aristo International Hotel on Vietnam’s northern border with China. Donaco furloughed most Aristo staff in February as Chinese gamblers — on which the Aristo relies for most of its business — opted against travel and the property was officially closed on April 1.

Having managed to contain its COVID-19 situation, Vietnam allowed non-essential businesses to reopen as of May 8. Some casinos, such as the unfortunately named Corona Resort & Casino on Phu Quoc island, opted to open immediately. Donaco said Aristo would operate “on a limited basis” for the foreseeable future, as the Vietnam-China border remains closed for the time being.

Donaco’s announcement followed similar news from Platinum Entertainment Ltd, which manages gaming operations at the Royal Casino Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province. The Royal opened its doors on Tuesday, with the now-standard recipe of reduced gaming options and employees frantically coating every solid object with antiseptic liquid.