Mobidictum brought its signature Mixer series to the heart of Vietnam’s tech hub, Ho Chi Minh City. The event gathered nearly 100 founders, investors, and key decision-makers for an evening dedicated to high-level networking and raw industry insights.
The Vietnamese gaming ecosystem is no longer just a “market to watch”—it is a market that is actively moving toward global integration.
Strategic Networking in the Heart of Saigon
The Mobidictum Mixer was designed with a singular focus: delivering real, high-quality connections. Away from the noise of massive trade shows, the intimate setting allowed for disciplined discussions between local veterans and international stakeholders.
From veteran developers to rising indie stars, the attendees shared a common goal: transforming Vietnam into a region defined by sustainable, multi-million dollar gaming studios.
Panel Recap: VC Investment in Vietnam’s Game Studios
The highlight of the evening was a deep-dive panel moderated by Maxon Pugovsky, featuring Hien Tran (Lihuhu Games), Jennifer Vu (T-Accelerate Capital), and Binh Tran (AVV). The discussion moved beyond surface-level trends to address the “hard truths” of raising capital in the current climate.
The “Mini Peak” Ambition: Seeking Repeatable Success
The panel referenced Türkiye’s landmark success with Peak Games as a blueprint. Vietnam is currently chasing its own “mini Peak”—a success story that proves the region can build high-LTV (Lifetime Value) companies.
Binh Tran noted that while VC investment is a powerful catalyst for those aiming to be the “next big guy,” it brings a level of pressure that requires a specific mindset and long-term vision, particularly in high-retention genres like 4X strategy.
What Makes a Studio “Investable”?
Jennifer Vu provided a roadmap for founders, emphasizing that while the product is the “weapon,” transparency is the shield.
- The “Why”: Founders must have a surgical understanding of how funding will be used.
- The Roadmap: A clear model that identifies potential risks. Investors value honesty regarding “negative sides” as it builds the trust necessary for long-term backing.
- The Team: Success depends on having a structure that can scale beyond the initial development phase.
Expertise Over Capital
Hien Tran, whose studio Lihuhu Games (part of Indygo Group) was recently acquired by NCSoft in a $103 million deal, offered a grounded perspective. She noted that while UA financing (like EDX Partners) is a great tool for growth, the primary reason to seek a VC should be for their expertise.
Vietnam currently lacks the “revolving door” of talent seen in markets like Türkiye, where veterans leave unicorns to start new studios. VCs can bridge this knowledge gap.
Signals of Growth
Jennifer Vu highlighted three major shifts currently favoring Vietnam:
- Surging Inbound Interest: M&A firms and publishers are arriving earlier and in higher volume than ever before.
- Founder Openness: There is a newfound willingness among local founders to embrace venture backing.
- AI Implementation: Leading studios are no longer just talking about AI; they are actively using it to increase production speed and performance.
Watch the full panel here:
Support from Industry Leaders
The event was made possible with the support of our sponsor, Aghanim. Their team shared invaluable expertise on integrated commerce and LiveOps automation, tools that are becoming essential for mobile game studios looking to maximize their revenue and operational efficiency in a competitive global market.
What’s Next for Mobidictum?
The Ho Chi Minh City Mixer was just the beginning of our engagement with the Saigonese gamedev scene.
We look forward to welcoming the Vietnamese gaming community to the largest industry event in our region: Mobidictum Conference 2026, taking place October 7–8 in Istanbul. This will be the ultimate bridge for Vietnamese studios looking to connect with European and global markets.
