Vietnam launches national esports tournament with $40,000 prize pool

2026-07-09T08:48:00Z

Thursday, July 9, 2026, 15:48 GMT+7

Vietnam officially launched its inaugural Grand Esports 2026 tournament on Thursday with a total prize pool of US$40,000, as the opening ceremony was held in Hanoi under the direction of the Sports Authority of Vietnam, marking a new stage in the country's esports development.

An official from the Vietnam Sports Authority attends the opening ceremony of the Grand Esports 2026 in Hanoi on July 9, 2026. Photo: The organizers

The Grand Esports 2026 is a series of events comprising the Vietnam Esports National Cup, international esports competitions and side events.

The event runs from July 9-12 at My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena, also known as Hanoi Indoor Games Gymnasium.

More than 1,000 players from Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Turkey and other countries are competing in the event.

The competition features CrossFire, Au Mobile, Epic Seven, Street Fighter 6, Summoners War and Audition, and is organized by the Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association (VIRESA) and state-owned multimedia company VTC under Olympic-standard competition rules.

The total prize pool exceeds VND1.1 billion ($40,000).

Organizers said the event marks a new stage in the development of Vietnam’s esports industry.

It is the first time a national-scale esports event has been organized under the direct guidance of a state management agency.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong said the event marks an important step toward building a more structured, professional and officially recognized esports sector, reflecting the government’s commitment to supporting growing sports in the digital era.

In recent years, Vietnam has strengthened its position in regional and international esports competitions, with national teams winning multiple medals at the Southeast Asian Games and other Asian tournaments.

Esports has evolved from a form of electronic entertainment into a competitive sport of the digital age and an emerging industry with significant growth potential.

Nguyen Danh Hoang Viet, director general of the Sports Authority of Vietnam, said esports is now recognized as a modern sport that plays a role in the country’s strategy for sports development, the sports economy and the cultural industries.

Beyond establishing major annual tournaments, organizers expect The Grand Esports to become the foundation of a sustainable digital esports ecosystem, supported by government leadership and strategic guidance.

Van Giang - Ngoc Le / Tuoi Tre News

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