TikTok and Amazon Invest in Vietnam’s Game Ecosystem via VGC. Photo courtesy of Việt Nam Game Connect 2025

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s mobile gaming industry is hitting new levels, powered by youthful creativity, quick adaptability and growing global recognition.

In the first half of 2025 alone, Vietnamese studios achieved more than 42 million downloads, accounting for nearly a quarter of puzzle game downloads in Western Europe, according to AppMagic data. In the fiercely competitive US market, Vietnamese titles have regularly appeared among the monthly top 10 most downloaded games, signalling rising global influence.

The momentum was further underlined at Việt Nam Game Connect 2025 (VGC) held in Hà Nội last month. The event attracted hundreds of developers, investors, and industry leaders from both domestic and international scenes. Participants included major players from the US, China, South Korea and Turkey, showcasing Việt Nam’s expanding role in the global gaming ecosystem.

Vietnamese-made games have begun capturing significant worldwide attention. According to Google statistics, Việt Nam has surpassed established gaming hubs like China, Hong Kong, the US and Turkey, with 6.7 billion downloads—approximately 700 million more than China.

Casual puzzle titles have been standout successes. Wood Nuts and Bolts by ABI and Screwdom by iKame have each amassed hundreds of millions of downloads worldwide. Players spend an average of around 100 minutes daily on Screwdom, outpacing international hits such as Candy Crush (66 minutes) and Royal Match (88 minutes).

“These results prove that Vietnamese mobile games are moving closer to world-class standards,” said industry experts.

Despite these impressive download figures, challenges remain. Many Vietnamese games struggle to maintain long-term player engagement due to limited depth in content and gameplay variety.

Smaller studios often work in isolation, leading to repeated mistakes and inefficiencies. A notable gap exists between emerging studios and top developers, leaving limited opportunities for mentorship or collaboration.

“Such challenges cannot be solved by individual efforts alone,” said CEO of GameGeek Jennifer Vũ. “What the industry needs is a connected ecosystem where game makers share knowledge, resources, and opportunities to develop together.”

GameGeek, which has supported Việt Nam’s gaming community for nearly a decade, has played a central role in nurturing this ecosystem. It has witnessed the sector’s transformation—from student developers searching for basic knowledge to five-member studios achieving millions of downloads, to national leaders whose games reach global audiences numbering in the hundreds of millions.

At this year’s Việt Nam Game Connect, GameGeek facilitated unprecedented exchanges between young developers and global leaders such as King, Rollic and Supercent. More than 700 participants attended, including 110 senior representatives from major international markets.

“After the event, we gained valuable connections and are now working to turn them into specific partnerships that create real value for our organisation,” said CEO of Gamee Giang Nguyễn.

The appeal of Việt Nam’s gaming industry is increasingly attracting global investors. Companies such as TikTok and Amazon have begun investing in the Vietnamese gaming ecosystem through VGC, signalling international recognition of the country’s potential as a new gaming hub.

Industry experts attribute Việt Nam’s success to a combination of creativity, cost-effectiveness, and the dynamism of its young workforce. The challenge now is to build on this foundation with stronger investment in talent development, robust data systems, and more sophisticated game design.

Việt Nam is fast emerging as one of the world’s most promising gaming hotspots. International publishers are not only scouting for creative talent but are establishing offices and strategic partnerships within the country.

“We believe Việt Nam’s game industry is growing alongside the country’s rising profile,” said Jennifer Vũ. “Our community is applying Vietnamese creativity and intelligence to succeed globally. As a connector, we strive to support local studios in reaching international markets and bring leading global experts to Việt Nam.”

With surging downloads, global recognition, and stronger industry connections, Việt Nam’s gaming industry stands on the brink of a defining era. However, to create its own 'Candy Crush moment,' experts say the country must continue raising skill levels, enriching game content, and strengthening collaboration across the ecosystem. — VNS