Along with the Government’s decision to select an investor for an international-standard golf course in June 2025, Van Don Special Economic Zone is enjoying a rare “dual boost,” opening up opportunities for a strong breakthrough to become a new growth hub for Northern Vietnam’s tourism sector.

These are also the missing “puzzle pieces” that will allow the locality to compete head-to-head with other renowned destinations such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang, or Nha Trang. In this momentum, pioneering projects that entered the market early, secured strategic locations, and adopted flexible business models will likely be “revalued” in a highly positive direction.

When the ‘Golden Pieces’ Come Together

The decision to select an investor for the Monbay Van Don Complex—comprising high-end tourism, resort, entertainment facilities, a golf course, and residential areas—is not only positive news for the local tourism industry, but also a clear signal that Quang Ninh Province is strongly promoting the high-end tourism and resort segment, which still holds significant growth potential in Northern Vietnam.

Notably, the planned golf course will be located adjacent to the Sonasea Van Don Harbor City complex—a 358.3-hectare resort project developed by CEO Group. This means that within just a few minutes’ drive, residents and visitors of Sonasea can easily access a world-class amenity long regarded as a “privilege” of the elite.

The golf course is expected to serve not only as a sports facility but also as a magnet for high-end travelers—those who typically stay for extended periods, spend generously, and demand comprehensive, premium amenities. This is precisely the target customer group for high-end resort products such as Sonasea Sparkling—a beachfront condominium line inspired by the unique Santorini style, designed for a dual model of vacation and rental in Van Don.

Casino and Golf Course – The Final Pieces Completing Van Don’s Premium Tourism Ecosystem
(In photo: Model of Van Don Casino Project)

The good news does not stop there. On June 27, 2025, the Prime Minister officially issued Decision No. 1395/QĐ-TTg, approving the investment policy for a high-class integrated tourism complex with a casino in Van Don Economic Zone, Quang Ninh, with a minimum total investment of USD 2 billion – a figure that affirms both the scale of the project and the region’s long-term development strategy.

This is not only a new symbol of strategic growth but also an “acceleration engine” to position Van Don among the elite casino–entertainment destinations in Asia.

According to experts, the simultaneous emergence of a golf course and a casino represents a strategic breakthrough, completing the premium tourism ecosystem that Van Don has been striving toward. “To become an international tourism–economic hub, a region cannot rely solely on natural landscapes. It must feature internationally recognized destinations such as golf courses, casinos, marinas, convention centers, and integrated resorts–shopping–entertainment complexes,” an economic expert noted.

Sonasea Sparkling – The Shining Star of Van Don Special Economic Zone

In this context, not every project in Van Don is positioned to capture the upcoming growth wave. However, Sonasea Sparkling—one of the rare high-rise beachfront condominium developments in the area—possesses nearly exclusive advantages.

Located at the heart of the Sonasea Van Don Harbor City complex, Sonasea Sparkling stands as the flagship component of this resort ecosystem, ahead of the market in both development timing and product positioning.

Just steps away from the planned golf course and seamlessly connected to the future casino, Sonasea Sparkling is currently the only product that integrates all three key elements: prime location, flexible operating model, and real-world amenities.

Developed in the impressive Santorini architectural style, the project follows a versatile “stay-and-lease” model. According to operational estimates, with rental rates of up to VND 2.5 million per night, Sonasea Sparkling units can generate a net profit of around VND 280 million per year—equivalent to an annual return of 9–10%, a figure that significantly outperforms the average rental property yield in the current market.

Sonasea Sparkling – A Place to Enjoy Seaside Living While Securing Stable Annual Returns

Notably, Sonasea Sparkling also enjoys a rare advantage with its proximity to the newly launched Sonasea Van Don Night Market—a vibrant hub of cuisine, culture, and entertainment that officially opened this summer. On its very first night, the night market welcomed more than 5,000 visitors, quickly becoming a fresh and exciting attraction in Van Don.

Furthermore, as world-class facilities such as the casino and golf course come into operation, Sonasea Sparkling will become the ideal accommodation choice for high-end travelers, business executives, and VIP guests with a passion for sports and entertainment. This will not only maximize rental yields but also elevate property ownership values to a new level—where residents and investors alike can both enjoy seaside leisure and secure stable annual cash flow.

We have already witnessed the remarkable growth of Phu Quoc real estate once the casino commenced operations, golf courses opened, and major developers joined the market. Van Don is now following the same trajectory, but with an even greater advantage: more affordable property prices, stronger growth potential, and expanding special economic zone policies.

“In this landscape, Sonasea Sparkling stands out as a safe haven and a smart profit-generating choice for discerning investors. With its central location, first-mover advantage in golf and casino amenities, transparent legal framework, and practical rental model, Sonasea Sparkling is like a ‘blue-chip stock’ in Van Don’s investment portfolio today,” said Mr. Nguyen Thang, CEO of SGO Land.

As Van Don steadily turns its vision of becoming a special economic zone into reality, savvy investors understand that the right time to enter the market is not when the boom peaks, but when the major pieces of the puzzle are revealed, while prices remain at the starting line.