Over the past couple of years, Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi has cemented its status as the nation’s poker epicenter with events – both local and international – held nearly every month. The next event is just around the corner. In less than a week is one of the hottest local brands to emerge this year, the Vietnam Poker League (VPL), scheduled to host the VPL Summer Series Hanoi 2024 at the Grand Loyal Poker Poker Club on May 3 to May 9, 2024. This will be brand’s second staging following its highly successful debut two months prior.
VPL Summer Series Hanoi 2024 – Player Guide
Vietnam Poker League Stages Second Series With Bigger Guarantees
As a budding new brand, VPL has already captured plenty of attention as demonstrated by its inaugural event turnout. The Main Event drew a field of 778 entries and amassed a prize pool of over VN₫ 15 Billion (~US $612K). Local high roller Pham Tien Dung shipped it, collecting his first ever six figure USD payout of $121,650 / VN₫ 3 Billion. This was quite impressive for a local event paying out this large on its first outing.
After the inaugural success, VPL quickly announced its second event and boosted the festival guarantee to a richer VN₫ 40 Billion, roughly 1.67 Million USD. A portion of the increase has been allocated for the VPL Main Event with the guarantee up a generous 30% for a total of VN₫ 12 Billion (~US $ 489,795). This of course is just the base amount as it is highly likely that the guarantee will be breached. Additionally, players can expect to see another six figures for the champion.
The upcoming VPL Main Event runs May 9 to 13, 2024. To have a chance at the boosted prize pool, four entry days have been scheduled. Players start with 40,000 in chips which is 400x the opening blinds. The deep structure kicks off with 40 minute blinds then 50 minutes for Day 2 and 60 minutes for Day 3.
Main Event
Dates: May 9 to 13, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 25,000,000 (~USD 1,020)
Guarantee: VN₫ 12,000,000,000 (~USD 489,795)
Day 1A: Thursday, May 9
Day 1B: Friday, May 10
Day 1C: Saturday, May 11
Day 1D (Turbo): Saturday, May 11
Day 2: Sunday, May 12
Final Day: Monday, May 13
Additionally, Early Bird Packages are still available for the VPL Main Event however supply is limited. Three types of packages are offered. Make sure to secure yours before they run out.
VPL Players To Expect
While VPL Summer Series Hanoi 2024 may be dubbed as a local event with buy ins catering to the Vietnamese market, players can expect a strong showing of international players similar to the inaugural turnout. Be on the lookout for players from the Philippines, China, India, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Australia, and France. At the inaugural run, more than half of the trophies were claimed by international players. Among them were high roller winners David Erquiaga (Philippines), Anton Lu (Australia), Anthony Cierco and Romain Morvan from France.
VPL High Roller Series
Speaking of big-hitters, the popular High Roller Series returns with nine events lined up. Buy ins range from VN₫ 22 Million (~US$ 870) to VN₫ 120 Million (~US$ 4,730) and combined guarantee of VN₫ 16.3 Billion (~US$ 642,700). Additionally, Early Bird Packages are still available. Make sure to take advantage of the discounts!
VPL Side Events
A large bulk of the schedule are side events where players can secure big cash prizes and VPL trophies. We’ve listed down the top highlights and crowd pleasers.
VPL Kick Off
Dates: May 3 to 5, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 5,000,000 (~USD 204)
Guarantee: VN₫ 3,000,000,000 (~USD 118,300)
At the inaugural run, the VPL Kick Off set the pace of the festival with 863 entries and a smashing prize pool of over VN₫ 3.3 Billion (~USD 135,600). The top 18 players were all from home turf. Tho Van Le clinched it for a maiden win and payout of VN₫ 690 Million (~USD 28,000).
Mini Main Event
Dates: May 6 to 8, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 8,800,000 (~USD 359)
Guarantee: VN₫ 4,500,000,000 (~USD 117,400)
The inaugural VPL Mini Main Event also drew a hefty crowd of 758 entries for a prize pool just under VN₫ 5 Billion (~USD 202,000). Hot running Vietnamese player Vu Ta Nhat brought home the glory and claimed a career high payout of VN₫ 922 Million (~USD 37,400).
Vietnam Poker League – Schedule
Poker in Hanoi
Poker has been booming in Hanoi for several years with international festivals putting the quaint city on the poker world map. Since 2022, big brands have consistently staged events, driving prize pools to incredible heights. With a large local poker population needing nurturing as well, local events have been on the rise with prize pools very competitive to the international market.
Visa
Entering Vietnam is easy. There are 26 countries in the visa-free list which includes most Southeast Asian nations and Europe. Players from South Korea, Japan, Russia are also visa free. For those not in the list, all that’s needed is an eVisa. Just apply online and choose between single entry or multiple. It is best to apply well before your planned arrival as it can take up to seven days. You can also pay more to speed up the process.
Getting in and around Hanoi
If you are flying into Vietnam capital city Hanoi, most likely you will be landing at the Noi Bai International Airport. It only takes a quick 40-45 minute ride to the venue Grand Loyal Poker Club. The safest way to go is via Grab. If you need a Vietnam sim card, get it at the airport as they are hard to find in the city. The country currency is the Vietnamese Dong. Make sure to exchange at the airport. The poker venue also provides this service.
Once situated, the best way for a solo traveler to move around the city is via motorcycles. You can book a Grab bike. If it will be your first time in Vietnam, the chaos of the streets may be a bit shocking as motorbikes are the preferred mode of travel.
Accommodations
Great news for players, the Grand Loyal Poker Club is located inside the Grand Vista Hotel in the heart of Hanoi. This means there’s no need to book elsewhere as hotel rates are also very reasonable. Breakfast is usually included, and players should take advantage as the buffet offers a variety that is certain to fill the belly.
Tourist info
As the country’s capital city, Hanoi has plenty to offer tourists from high end restaurants to some of the best banh mi street-side. There are also historic sites scattered all over the city so we suggest to just search for what to do in Hanoi and you will find plenty of options. The Old Quarter is unique to the city, offering plenty of history, the Temple of Literature is one of the most visited and it is near the venue, most popular with the locals is Hoan Kiem Lake.
As mentioned above, the country currency is the Vietnamese Dong. Make sure to exchange at the airport or at the poker room.
For those that want to mix poker and exploratioin, this is a good time of year to visit Hanoi as it is summer time. In other words, it will be hot so make sure to bring sunblock. The Vietnamese have a very strong outdoor culture with low chairs seen practically everywhere. Locals come in packs to sit and eat, drink, have coffee, or simply just to relax. This is a great time to do as the locals do!
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