VNGGames, VTC honored as Excellent Game Publishers at Vietnam Game Awards 2025

The Vietnam Game Awards 2025 took place on May 26 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), concluding the first day of the Vietnam GameVerse 2025 event in a vibrant atmosphere. More than 2,500 visitors arrived early to witness the announcement of the awards at the country's largest gaming ceremony.

In the Excellent Game Publisher category, VNGGames and VTC were both honored, reflecting fierce competition based on readers' votes and jury scores.

Both companies have contributed significantly to the Vietnamese gaming industry. VNGGames publishes over 200 games domestically and more than 40 internationally, while VTC boasts a diverse publishing ecosystem spanning PC to mobile platforms with 20 years of experience in the industry.

Representatives of VTC (L) and VNGGames (R) receiving the Excellent Game Publisher Cup at the Vietnam GameVerse 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Thanh Tung

Le Quang Tu Do, Director of the Department of Radio, Television, and Electronic Information, commented, "This is the most prestigious and important award of Vietnam GameVerse. Congratulations to VNGGames for a third consecutive year, and to VTC on its remarkable comeback."

Last year, the award went to VNGGames and Gamota.

The 2025 event featured 22 categories and attracted over 3 million votes. Several new awards were introduced, including Excellent Game Developer, Globally Successful Vietnamese Game, and Most Favorite Game Character. These new categories aim to recognize all facets of the gaming ecosystem and promote the comprehensive development of Vietnam's game industry.

The program began at 8:30 p.m., with fans and gamers lining up since the afternoon. Performances by singer Hoang Hai and a dance troupe energized the crowd, setting an enthusiastic tone for the awards.

In the Golden Gear category for gaming devices and services, new names stood out. The Acer Predator Helios 18 was recognized as an excellent gaming laptop, while the Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro surpassed competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra to win the gaming phone category.

FPT was honored as the most favorite network operator; MoMo retained its position as a favorite payment channel; and Abben energy drink surprised the audience by winning the favorite beverage award.

In the Golden Star category, Lien Quan Mobile was awarded Best eSports Game. Player La Phuong Tien Dat (Himass) received the outstanding individual award, and the Expendables team earned best team honors following a series of global successes. The eSports tournament of the year was awarded to the CFS Summer Championship 2024, an international competition organized by VTC in Vietnam. Valorant Vietnam was recognized for its strong community activities and tournament structure.

The Vietnamese game Silkroad Origin Mobile – Huyen Thoai Lu Khach dominated the Golden Star segment by winning three major awards: Vietnamese Game with Best Gameplay, Outstanding Graphic Design, and Vietnamese Game of the Year. Developed by GihOt Studio and published by GOSU, the game has attracted more than 8 million global players with a 70% user retention rate.

A representative of Wood Screw Puzzle developer (R) receives the award for Globally Successful Vietnamese Game. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Wood Screw Puzzle, a simple puzzle game with over 100 million global downloads, received the Globally Successful Vietnamese Game award. iKame Global was recognized as Excellent Game Developer for the first time, highlighting its decade-long effort to bring Vietnamese products to the world.

A highlight of the ceremony was the lively stage performance preceding the announcement of the Most Favorite Game Character award, which was shared by Han Bao Quan and Dam Hoa Lien from Yulgang Origin VTC. The couple is popular for their engaging storyline and comic-style visuals, marking the launch of the Golden Galaxy category.

Vo Lam Truyen Ky received the Most Favorite Game Community award. This long-standing game, with over 20 years in the industry, was also honored with the Timeless Game award for its lasting contribution to Vietnamese gaming history.

In the Game of the Year category, Tieu Ngao, published by Gamota, outperformed strong contenders such as Zenless Zone Zero, Thien Long Bat Bo, and Thien Nu. Inspired by Kim Dung's novels, this role-playing game impressed with its graphics, diverse characters, engaging gameplay, and vibrant community.

Alongside the award presentations, the Vietnam Game Awards 2025 featured performances by guest singers including JSOL and Negav, contributing to a youthful, modern atmosphere and fostering community connections.

The Vietnam Game Awards 2025 ceremony attracts thousands of visitors. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran

Singer JSOL reflected, "If life had not pushed me, I might have been standing here today as a gamer competing for an award."

The event concluded with a standing ovation, signaling a step forward for Vietnam's gaming industry on its path to becoming a key part of the creative sector. As Director Le Quang Tu Do stated during the Game Forum earlier that day, "These achievements demonstrate that Vietnam is becoming a world destination in the gaming industry, and Vietnam GameVerse has established itself as the leading gaming event in the region."

Vietnam GameVerse is co-organized by the Department of Radio, Television, and Electronic Information, VnExpress, FPT Online, and VIRESA. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on May 26 and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 27 at SECC, featuring a range of gaming, technology, and entertainment experiences for the community.