Do you like dog racing?
If so, you’ll love visiting the Lam Son Stadium in Vung Tau. Every Saturday night, they feature live greyhound races. These are fun to watch, and exciting to bet on.
On top of this, dog racing is the only legal form of gambling that Vietnamese people can engage in. If you’re on a date (or hanging out with locals), it’s worth going to the track and placing a few bets. I go almost every weekend, and it’s always a good time.
In this article, I’ll share some “insider information” about where the track’s located, how to access it, what wagers are accepted, and how to win money betting here.
Whether you’re a hardcore fan of dog racing, or just looking for a fun weekend activity, this event is worth checking out.
Where Is The Race Track?
(The Track Is Very Easy To Find , We Could See It From Our Hotel Room!)
Dog races are held inside the Lam Son Stadium. This is right in the heart of Vung Tau, about 10 minutes from the beach.
Whenever I’m in Vung Tau, I stay at the Petro Hotel. This place is right next door to the race track, and you’re able to see the stadium from your room. Aside from being a great hotel, the Petro’s won all sorts of awards its excellent service and amenities, this also makes it super-convenient for getting to the races on time.
Lastly, if you’re staying outside the downtown area, every cab driver knows where the Lam Son Stadium is.
Just hop in a taxi, and tell the driver that you want to visit the dog track.
What Is The Entrance Fee?
(Tickets For My Girlfriend And I)
The Vung Tau dog track has a very family-friendly vibe to it. This may sound weird since it’s a gambling establishment, but whole families go here to relax and watch the races. The stadium even has toys games, and a miniature petting zoo (consisting of nothing but greyhound puppies of course) to keep kids entertained.
Dog racing here has more in common with the county fairs back in my home state of Iowa, than it does serious gambling.
There’s games, cotton candy, and whole families of people.
Because it is open to the public (and many people come to watch races rather than betting on them), there is an entrance fee.
It costs 60,000 VND ($2.64) per person.
Once you pay the admission, you’re allowed to stay in the park until closing time.
How Much Is The Minimum Wager?
When you bet on dog races, there’s a minimum requirement.
You’ve got to wager at least 20,000 VND ($0.88). This is pretty cheap, and makes betting highly affordable. Even if you gambled on all 10 of the track’s Saturday night races, you’d never risk losing more than $8.81.
Of course, you can always bet more as well. And, from what I can tell, there’s no limit as to how much you’re able to wager.
Is Dog Racing Easy To Bet On?
(Nothing Beats The Thrill Of Watching A Good Race)
Can you in money gambling? Or are dog tracks just a big scam to profit off the “get-rich-quick” crowd?
This is something most people wonder about. And, truthfully speaking, the answer is: “A little of both.”
When I went to the track last Saturday, I went with my girlfriend and I pal who’s visiting from the USA. Both of them placed bets off emotion. My buddy kept picking dogs that “looked like winners,” and my girlfriend always wanted to bet on the number five dog (she thinks it’s a “lucky number”).
Both of them lost every race.
Me?
I personally picked my bets using statistical odds and simple mathematics.
And, while I didn’t win every race, I did turn a small profit.
(I Made 87,000 VND Off A 20,000 VND Bet)
When all was said and done, I walked off with 346,000 VND ($15.24) more than I’d started with (and that included paying the entrance fee).
Not too shabby.
Overall, this is a great way to spend your Saturday night. Win or lose, it’s still fun to head over to the track with your friends and watch dogs race. The ext time you’re in Vung Tau, be sure to check out this place.
P.S. Interested in learning more about betting on races? Check out Gambling Wizards. This is an excellent book on all things gaming, including track wagers, poker, and backgammon.
Well worth a read.