Not long ago, Vietnam’s government warned parents that too many videogames could lead children to a life of crime — even murder.
But when the first-ever Vietnam GameVerse Day was held in Ho Chi Minh City earlier this year, government officials were front and center promoting the country as the region’s hottest market for entertainment apps development.
Hanoi now views mobile games as an export asset and a crucial part of its emerging technology sector, as it seeks to shift beyond being a center for outsourced software and sneaker factories. The change is also an acknowledgment of the industry’s economic potential: the global mobile gaming market is estimated to exceed $300 billion (¥42.6 trillion) next year, with an annual growth rate of over 7% in coming years.