Putting Vietnam’s name on the world’s animation industry map is the goal of Sconnect, a Vietnamese cartoon brand that features Wolfoo, a lovely wolf cub character.

The Government has agreed that, in the near term, special consumption tax will not be levied on online games.

The gaming industry, unable to buy foreign games to distribute domestically because foreign partners are allowed to distribute games in Vietnam, does not expect a bright future.

The Standing Committee of the Government has just released a conclusion that online video game services (online game) are not subject to special consumption tax.

Vietnamese game firms have sighed with relief as the Standing Government has rejected a luxury tax on online games as proposed by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).

Online game producers may find themselves pushed out of the market in Vietnam with the introduction of an “unprecedented” tax that aims to protect younger generations.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) continues to support a luxury tax on online games, though other ministries believe that such a tax will discourage the development of the industry.

A team of experts from RMIT University believes that in order to make gaming become a pillar of Vietnam’s digital economy, it is necessary to focus on developing human resources who can design games.

Vietnam is considering offering gaming as a major at university, believing that this would be a solution to the manpower shortage in the gaming industry.

Chu Tuan Anh from Training System Aptech International Programmer notes that human resources development is an important issue in the gaming industry, but Vietnam lacks a standard training program in this field.

A proposal to impose special consumption taxes on online games in Vietnam has been shot down by businesses and industry experts.

Vietnam is considering levying a special consumption tax on online video games, which has caused concern in the sector.

The gaming industry makes great contributions to the digital and knowledge-based economy, so it is necessary to view it as a business field. Enterprises need to join forces to change the prejudices about the industry.

Vietnamese game publishers are striving to rise up the ranks of the global gaming industry by holding on to top talent and encouraging modern thinking from legislators and potential consumers.

Vietnam’s games have had achievements in the world market but a push is needed to develop further.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam takes a large share of the pie with 54.6 million gamers, raking in $507 million in 2022.

To develop human resources for the game industry, experts have suggested offering a major in games at the higher education level.

Online games, together with sugary drinks, barley drinks, non-alcoholic beverages and electronic cigarettes, have been grouped by the Ministry of Finance (MOF) as items subject to a special consumption tax (luxury tax).

If Vietnam imposes a luxury tax on electronic games, this will deal a strong blow to the game industry, said VCCI’s (Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry) head of Legal Department Dau Anh Tuan.