Vietnam GameVerse 2026 marks a pivotal moment with the inclusion of international Esports names and a Southeast Asian-level tournament, shaping a more complete Vietnamese gaming ecosystem after four years in the making.

Launched in 2023 and now entering its fourth year, Vietnam GameVerse 2026 embraces the theme “Do local, go global,” reflecting a commitment to sustainable growth - rooted in Vietnam’s own creative potential, while actively pursuing international integration and expansion.

This year’s theme aims to showcase the story of Vietnam’s gaming industry - from content creation and product development to community building, and ultimately, exporting intellectual property and Vietnamese brand power to global markets.

Speaking at the launch event held on January 29, Le Quang Tu Do, Director of the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reflected on the event's four-year journey. From early doubts, the festival has now fulfilled the dream of connecting the gaming community by attracting major international partners.

According to him, a key highlight of this year’s Vietnam GameVerse is the formal inclusion of Esports, completing what he calls the ecosystem of “five houses”: the government, developers, publishers, educational institutions, and Esports.

He noted two aspects that set Vietnam’s event apart from international models. The first is an awards ceremony honoring outstanding games and gaming businesses. The second is the launch of an official Esports tournament within the festival, going beyond mere showmatches.

As planned, 11 teams from across Southeast Asia will compete over the course of the two-day event. Le Quang Tu Do acknowledged the operational challenges of running an international tournament within the national festival, but affirmed the support from leading partners had made it possible.

“All of our promises to join hands in developing the game industry are meaningful commitments. Every challenge we face becomes a driving force pushing Vietnam’s game sector forward,” he declared.

What’s new at Vietnam GameVerse 2026

Since 2023, Vietnam GameVerse has steadily expanded in scale, content, and impact within the local game industry.

This year’s edition marks a major evolution, featuring several firsts: the inclusion of professional Esports tournaments - most notably, the Southeast Asian Nations Esports Cup; a series of fan meetings with Vietnam’s top Esports teams; and a focus on in-depth B2B activities, with participation from local and international companies, developers, and publishers. These developments open doors to broader collaboration and connectivity.

Notably, 2026 is also the first year Vietnam GameVerse introduces ticketing, allowing deeper investment in programming, interactive spaces, and exclusive activities. These additions aim to enhance attendee experience while establishing a sustainable, professional event model on par with major game and Esports festivals in the region and beyond.

According to organizers, the Vietnam GameVerse 2026 program will run from February to May, culminating in the main festival in Ho Chi Minh City. The agenda includes four main components: the Vietnam Game Awards 2026, the Vietnam Game Forum 2026, the GameHub competition, and a variety of entertainment and Esports activities.

The Vietnam Game Awards will present 21 prizes across four main categories:

The Golden Galaxy – for games released in Vietnam
The Golden Sun – for Vietnamese-made games
The Golden Star – for Esports in Vietnam
The Golden Gear – for gaming devices, services, and related products

Despite the country’s growing role in gaming, domestically produced games still account for only about 12% of the local market. Meanwhile, Vietnamese youth continue to be influenced primarily by foreign game content.

Du Lam