Players at Hanoi Lotto can select any six numbers at random from a set of six numbers available. Prize money builds every week until someone wins the jackpot prize. Tickets may also be purchased online. Lottery has become increasingly popular among people of all ages in Vietnam over time, becoming part of culture itself.
Lotteries have played an essential role in contributing to the nation’s development. Proceeds from lottery sales go into public funds for use in supporting social welfare programs, infrastructure projects and other government activities – an income source for rural governments and citizens.
According to a report issued by the Ministry of Finance, lottery revenues for the first half of 2018 reached VND18 trillion ($0.73 billion). This marks an increase of nearly 10 percent over last year’s first-half performance; revenues are forecasted to double again before year end.
Ho Chi Minh City alone now boasts between 4,000-6,000 lottery ticket sellers, most of whom make a living selling them on streets, eateries and coffee shops for 10,000 dong each. Each province offers their own ticket so customers can select some numbers they believe to be lucky from a list.
On average, lottery sellers in Saigon make around 200 tickets daily, starting their shift at 5 am with breakfast (usually rice and vegetable soup), then hitting the streets to sell tickets. Some days are better than others in terms of profits made but overall it should still provide enough support for both themselves and their families.
Lottery tickets can be found throughout Vietnam’s provinces, with sales particularly robust in the southern region. According to the Southern Lottery Council, ticket consumption surpassed 98% of what was available and 21 lottery companies in this region combined had revenue exceeding VND35 trillion for this quarter alone.
Revenue generated from lottery ticket sales has helped improve quality of life for many in the region, particularly those living in rural areas. Furthermore, this activity has enhanced economic activity and provided thousands of employment opportunities to thousands of people in need of employment opportunities.
However, lottery vendors have expressed discontent at their working conditions. Profit margins are low and some must compete with each other for ticket sales, forcing some vendors to work long hours and make raising their families difficult. To help these vendors the state must raise commission rates, provide health insurance benefits to lottery vendors, ensure safe working conditions are in place and offer training so they may find alternative employment in the future.
