Casino gaming returning to Vietnam

In Vietnam and boutique casino operator Donaco International Limited has reportedly partially re-opened its gambling-friendly Aristo International Hotel some six weeks after being forced to temporarily close the property in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a report from GGRAsia, the Sydney-listed firm used an official filing to declare that the venue in the northern Vietnamese city of Lao Cai was ‘officially re-opened’ earlier today on a ‘limited basis’ following Friday’s lifting of a coronavirus-related ban on all non-essential businesses.

Operator optimism:

Located less than a mile from the border between Vietnam and China’s Yunnan Province, the 428-room Aristo International Hotel features a foreigner-only casino offering multiple gaming tables as well as a selection of approximately 300 slots. Donaco International Limited reportedly stated that it was ‘optimistic’ that the Asian country’s coronavirus situation will ‘continue to improve’ and that the limited re-opening of its flagship venue will serve as a ‘positive step towards the resumption of normal operations.’

Coronavirus calm:

GGRAsia reported that the government of Vietnam instituted its lockdown on all non-essential businesses from April 1 as the number of people infected with the highly-contagious coronavirus strain reached 218. The nation of some 95 million inhabitants has since recorded a further 70 cases although all of these were purportedly chalked up prior to April 16.

Previous premieres:

The re-opening of Aristo International Hotel comes some three weeks after Dutch firm Uppfinity Gaming Management BV revived business at its Corona Resort and Casino, which is situated on Vietnam’s remote tropical island of Phu Quoc. GGRAsia reported that this had been followed by the Friday re-opening of the resort-based VIP casino run by prominent Asian junket firm Suncity Group located within the nation’s Crowne Plaza Danang development.