Vietnam International Poker Tour opens today at the Bolton Poker Room in Hanoi

After weeks of anticipation, the inaugural Vietnam International Poker Tour opens today in the country’s capital city Hanoi. Originally scheduled to take place at the Royal Poker Club, the eleven-day event, has now been relocated to the Bolton Poker Room. The collaboration was announced just two days prior in the event’s facebook page.

While the sudden change may be a surprise, the dates and the exciting VIPT lineup remains the same. Spanning from today April 19 to April 29, 2024, the series features 36 tournaments and a minimum festival guarantee amounting to VN₫ 40 Billion (~USD 1.6 Million). In addition, “no winning fee” has been advertised. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the schedule.

Kick Off Event upped to four entry flights

Following the venue change, modifications were also made to select events. Early go-ers will now have four chances, instead of three, to try to reach the ITM round of the Kick Off Event. The new schedule runs two entry flights on April 19 and two entry flights on April 20. Below is the revised schedule:

Day 1A: Friday, April 19 at 11am
Day 1B Turbo: Friday, April 19 at 4pm
Day 1C: Saturday, April 20 at 10:30am
Day 1D Turbo: Saturday, April 20 at 4:30pm
Final Day: Sunday, April 21 at 11am

The Kick Off Event opens the festivities and is a great way to start one’s series. For a newly created local event, it comes out with a bold VN₫ 3,500,000,000 (~USD 139,970) guarantee. Buy in is VN₫ 5,500,000 (~USD 225). Players start with a 25,000 stack which is 250 times the opening blinds. Regular flights will see levels increase every 30 minutes, Turbo flights run a faster 25 minute blinds. The top 12.5% advance to the ITM round. The final day blinds increase every 35 mintues and the final table will be livestreamed.

All High Roller Series events begin at 12pm

The High Roller Series schedule has also seen a modification. High rollers will now have to get up an hour earlier if they want to be present on the first deal. All High Roller Series events now start at 12pm (originally scheduled for 1pm).

In addition to the time change, a 50% rake discount has been announced for players that register before the any of the tournaments begin. However, this does not apply to players that have purchased the High Roller Early Bird Package.

High Roller Warm-Up

The first HR Series event is the High Roller Warm-Up which runs today, April 19. This is a one-day event featuring a VN₫ 1 Billion (~USD 39,940) guarantee.  Buy in is VN₫ 22 Million (~USD 880). Get there early to avail of the discount. The final table will stream live on the VIPT facebook page.

Other High Roller Series Events

High Roller Single-Day
Date: April 20, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 33,000,000 (~USD 1,347)
Guarantee: VN₫ 1,200,000,000 (~USD 47,928)

High Roller Championship
Date: April 21, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 44,000,000 (~USD 1,795)
Guarantee: VN₫ 1,500,000,000 (~USD 59,910)

High Roller Megastack
Date: April 22 to 23, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 44,000,000 (~USD 1,795)
Guarantee: VN₫ 2,500,000,000 (~USD 99,850)

Super High Roller
Date: April 24, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 66,000,000 (~USD 2,693)
Guarantee: VN₫ 1,800,000,000 (~USD 71,892)

Super Star Challenge
Date: April 25 to 26, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 88,000,000 (~USD 3,591)
Guarantee: VN₫ 2,000,000,000 (~USD 79,880)

High Roller Finale
Date: April 28 to 29, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 55,000,000 (~USD 2,244)
Guarantee: VN₫ 2,500,000,000 (~USD 99,850)

High Roller Last Chance
Date: April 25 to 26, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 33,000,000 (~USD 1,346)
Guarantee: VN₫ 1,000,000,000 (~USD 39,940)

Vietnam Open – flight added

Running back-to-back with the Kick Off Event is the Vietnam Open which has also seen a modification. The event now offers four entry flights (instead of three) with one regular and one turbo running on both April 22 and April 23. The final day is on Wednesday, April 24. The event features a VN₫ 4.5 Billion (~USD 179,730) guarantee, and the cost to enter is VN₫ 8.8 Million (~USD 360).

VIPT Main Event

On the festival’s seventh day, April 25, the flagship tournament takes center stage, the VIPT Main Event featuring an ambitious VN₫ 10,000,000,000 (~USD 400,000) guarantee. If there is only one VIPT event you can attend, make this be it. The first ever VIPT Main Event champion will be determined on the final day, April 29. To enter, the schedule offers four entry flights, each one with differing level intervals. We’ve noted them below.

2024 VIPT Main Event

Date: April 25 to April 29, 2024
Buy in: VN₫ 20,000,000 (~USD 880)
Guarantee: VN₫ 10,000,000,000 (~USD 400,000)

Day 1A: Thursday, April 25, 2024 – 45 minute blinds
Day 1B: Friday, April 26, 2024 – 40 minute blinds
Day 1C: Saturday, April 27, 2024 – 35 minute blinds
Day 1D Turbo: Saturday, April 27, 2024 – 25 minute blinds
Day 2: Sunday, April 28, 2024 – 45 minute blinds
Day 3 / Final Table: Monday, April 29, 2024 – 60 / 30 minute blinds

Tourist Information

While the VIPT is a new homegrown Hanoi event, the large guarantee has already drawn the attention of locals from all over the country. In addition, a sizable force of international players from within and outside of the country are expected. For newcomers to the country, entering Vietnam is quite 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. Make sure to apply online

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. The safest way to get from the airport to the heart of the city is via Grab Car. Make sure to use the online app as the rates are set and fair.

Internet may be spotty around town that a Vietnam sim card may be necessary. Get this at the airport as they are very hard to find in the city. Sim cards are very cheap, around $7-$10 for unlimited data depending on the plan you choose.

The country currency is the Vietnamese Dong and it is the only form of cash accepted. There are exchange counters at the airport. You can also exchange at the poker venue.

VIPT 2024 Hanoi – Revised Schedule