HCM CITY — Việt Nam GameVerse 2026 opened on May 8, highlighting the country’s ambition to position the gaming industry as a strategic pillar of the digital economy.

Carrying the theme “Do local, go global”, this year’s event promotes a development approach rooted in Vietnamese creativity and innovation as the foundation for bringing local gaming products to international markets. Organisers expect the event to attract around 60,000 participants.

At the opening ceremony, Lê Quang Tự Do, director of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and head of the organising board, said Việt Nam GameVerse has emerged as a recognised destination for the global gaming community.

He welcomed the participation of partners from South Korea, China, the US and Japan, alongside major technology firms including Google, Meta, ByteDance, Roblox and Riot Games, as well as esports teams from 11 Southeast Asian countries.

Do highlighted Việt Nam’s strong economic momentum, noting that the country’s GDP reached US$514 billion in 2025, while per capita income exceeded $5,000. He added that the gaming industry has recently been designated as one of Việt Nam’s six key cultural industries, paving the way for preferential policies and tax incentives. 

He urged international partners to increase investment in Việt Nam’s gaming ecosystem and encouraged domestic firms to strengthen cooperation in order to seize what he described as a rare opportunity to bring Vietnamese games to the global market.

​Since its debut in 2023, Việt Nam GameVerse has steadily expanded in both scale and influence. This year also marks the first time the event has introduced ticket sales, a move organisers say is aimed at enhancing programme quality, offering more exclusive experiences and aligning the event with international standards.

One of the forum’s highlights is a series of international cooperation agreements focused on technology transfer and workforce development for Việt Nam’s gaming sector. The partnerships are expected to support practical training, technology sharing and innovative solutions for the country’s gaming ecosystem.

The event also features, for the first time, a special exchange session with GAM Esports COO Izumin and members of the team’s Arena of Valor roster. Organisers expect the session to offer insights into professional esports development and help raise Việt Nam’s international esports profile.

Meanwhile, the Việt Nam Game Awards 2026 was held on the evening of May 8, honouring outstanding products, services and individuals across 21 categories.

Việt Nam GameVerse 2026 is also focusing on nurturing emerging talent through the GameHub competition, where the top five projects will receive investment and commercialisation support from organisers.

The event is expected to create fresh momentum for improving the quality of Vietnamese-made games, attracting greater foreign investment and strengthening Việt Nam’s position in the global gaming industry. — VNA/VNS