Esports  

HÀ NỘI — The Grand Esports 2026 is underway featuring top players from Việt Nam and Asia fighting it out in four prestigious events at the Indoor Athletics Palace in Hà Nội.

The festival is jointly organised by the Sports Authority of Việt Nam (SAV) and the Vietnam Multimedia Corporation (VTC) and other partners.

It marks the first time a national-scale esports event has been directly supported by a state management agency.

Under a message 'Elevating the Nation – Spreading Globally', the Grand Esports 2026 is positioned not merely as a tournament series for professional players, but as a national-scale esports festival model that connects sports, technology, content creation, businesses, and the community.

It aims to build a Vietnamese esports ecosystem that is professional, sustainable and globally integrated.

The four events taking place are the VIệt Nam Esports National Cup for Vietnamese athletes; the Esports Grand Championship for international competitors; the Grand Esports Festival – a community-focused experiential festival; and the Grand Esports Awards – an event honouring the organisations and individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of esports in the country.​​​​

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoàng Đạo Cương said the Grand Esports 2026 not only launched a new competitive season but also marked a significant shift in Việt Nam's approach to esports development. He said esports evolved beyond entertainment into a sport of the digital age and an emerging industry with strong growth potential. 

 

He added that an esports athlete's success was forged through willpower, discipline, strategic thinking, mental fortitude and the drive to conquer.

The State played a role that extended beyond mere regulations. It has fostered an environment for growth, established relevant mechanisms and policies, and honoured the contributions made within the esports sector.

The Grand Esports 2026 features more than 1,000 players from 10 countries and regions competing in different events until July 12.

After the opening ceremony, a forum 'Shaping the Future of Vietnamese Esports: Elevating National Status and Expanding Global Reach' brought together regulators, businesses, technology experts, clubs, game publishers and media representatives to discuss strategies for advancing esports in Việt Nam in the new era.

SAV Director Nguyễn Danh Hoàng Việt said the SAV's direct involvement markS a milestone, signalling that esports entered a new stage of development.

He said esports should be recognised as a modern sport with an important role in the country's sports development strategy, sports economy and cultural industry.

According to speakers, Việt Nam's esports sector moved beyond its early stage of spontaneous growth and entered a phase that required a comprehensive ecosystem supported by the State, businesses and the community.

 

Chu Tiến Đạt, chairman of the Members' Council of VTC, said esports not only produced champions but also created a new economic sector where technology, media, content creation, branding and the community work together to generate value.

Lê Minh Tuấn, deputy director of the Copyright Office of Việt Nam, observed that the value of esports extended beyond competitive achievements, encompassing copyright, digital content, imagery, commercial activities, sponsorships and associated creative products. Therefore, refining the legal framework regarding copyright, related rights, and intellectual property was a crucial prerequisite for the sustainable development of the esports market.

It is expected to create a uniquely Vietnamese cultural, sporting and entertainment product capable of attracting both fans and international visitors.

The entire event was said to be a sustainable step towards implementing the esports+ development strategy, expanding the role of esports beyond competition to encompass technology, innovation, the cultural industry, the digital economy, sports tourism and international integration.

With its young workforce, strong technological capabilities, large esports community and growing international success, Việt Nam was well positioned to make esports a new competitive advantage for its sports sector while promoting Việt Nam a hot destination for international competitions. — VNS