On March 18, 2026, the amphitheaters of the Ho Chi Minh City Banking University were the stage for an exceptional scene. More than 350 people, mostly young men under 22 years old, dressed in solemn attire, took the stage to receive their distinctions. Far from the usual image where they sit in front of their computer screens or eyes glued to their phones, today they received certificates bearing the red seal of the Vietnamese Association of e-Sports and Entertainment (VIRESA): “Master e-Sports Athlete.”
This was the moment when hundreds of players – who had started with just a simple smartphone and a voracious passion – were officially recognized by the state as professional athletes. The 2026 Hall of Fame event, with 106 champions honored and 13 individuals congratulated by the Prime Minister, is clear evidence that the stereotype of “gaming addiction” now belongs to the past, making way for a profession synonymous with glory and considerable income.
The gaming profession is now officially recognized by the state. The emergence of video games also brought with it a challenging profession fraught with prejudices. A few decades ago, young enthusiasts of keyboards and mice were often labeled as “useless,” “lazy,” or obsessed with games at the expense of their future.
But in 2023, VIRESA organized an official ranking ceremony for Vietnamese e-sports athletes. For the first time, players received titles from the state, following the national sports system: Level 1 athlete, Master athlete, national coach – titles previously reserved for traditional sports athletes.
Vietnamese e-sports is now in the spotlight, and the profession of professional player is officially recognized. The scale of the 2026 award ceremony – officially known as the Hall of Fame – marked a significant leap forward compared to previous years: 106 esports champions received titles, 98 certificates for athletes and national coaches were awarded, and 13 individuals received congratulations from the Prime Minister.
In this festive occasion, PUBG Mobile made an impact with 36 representatives excelling. The most intense emotions came not only from players who had participated in the Southeast Asian Games or international competitions, but also from promising young talents in the community. Their journey through three intense seasons of PMNC 2025 is a true source of inspiration: glory isn’t obtained without effort; it is forged through every battle, every week of fierce competition, and today, all these efforts are recognized by the state and etched in history.
Behind the champion title lies a profession filled with sweat and tears.
After decades of continuous development, when one thinks of an e-sports player, one immediately envisions monthly earnings of hundreds of millions of Vietnamese dong, free accommodation and meals in luxurious gaming houses, thousands of ecstatic fans, numerous titles, and maybe even the prestigious Southeast Asian Games medal – these are the most visible “glamorous rewards.” But a harsh statistic from VIRESA is seldom mentioned: less than 1% of players manage to make a living from the professional e-sports system.
To be part of this 1%, these young men in their twenties must adhere to strict discipline. Their days stretch from early morning to midnight. Training, practice fights, match and opponent analysis consume 10 to 12 hours of their time. No holidays, no weekend outings like other young people; their world shrinks to a survival map.
Then, their health deteriorates insidiously. The blue light from screens damages their eyesight. Carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spondylosis have become disabling occupational diseases.
No one can forget the story of Uzi, the Chinese e-sports legend, forced to retire at 23, his hands so worn out they seemed twice his age. To this were added sleepless nights, result pressure, and the scrutinizing eyes of thousands of spectators at the slightest mistake. Behind his spectacular feats were painful hands and an ironclad mentality, forced to remain tense to not collapse under criticism.
The generation born in tandem with PUBG Mobile, heralding their way to continental heights.
The champions honored today are those born between 2003 and 2005, a generation that grew up with the game PUBG Mobile. They are now entering their twenties, a period experts consider the peak of their performances, where their reflexes and experience reach their optimal levels.
Young talents, fostered in fierce national tournaments like PMNC and PMPL, have emerged. The brilliant LeVis (Phan Van Dong) won the gold medal at the 31st Southeast Asian Games at just 19 years old, while D’Xavier set a record by winning the Southeast Asia PMSL championship twice in the same year (2025). These successes are not random; they were favored by an increasingly professionalized tournament system.
In April 2026, the PMPL VN Spring tournament will return, offering a valuable opportunity for the selection of the national team for the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20). PUBG Mobile is one of the 11 medal disciplines in the ASIAD e-sports competition in Japan. For the first time, PUBG Mobile Vietnam has a comprehensive and solid roadmap, from the community to the continental stage, allowing players to fully engage in this sport.
VIRESA also affirmed in its official announcement: “The national e-sports championship system, planned for 2025, is the foundation for fostering the development of the e-sports community in Vietnam in general and PUBG Mobile enthusiasts in particular, to discover new generations of players as talented and passionate as the previous generations.”
25 years is not the limit for a player’s career.
A professional player’s career is short, often ending around 25 years old with the decline of reflexes. But it’s not the end. This milestone is now just a gateway to new prospects within a rapidly expanding ecosystem.
They can leave the stage to become coaches, analysts, or commentators, like former player Kuook. It’s thanks to the effort and perseverance he displayed on the field years ago that Kuook can offer the public such insightful and professional perspective on the game.
Thanks to support from higher education and the national strategy for the development of cultural industries by 2030, e-sports has become a sustainable professional stepping stone. In 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Banking University will inaugurate an e-sports arena on its campus, where gold medalists from the Southeast Asian Games are currently studying. This arena will also host the Hall of Fame ceremony in 2026.
At the national level, the strategy for the development of the Vietnamese cultural industry by 2030, with a vision to 2045 (Decision 2486/QD-TTg), has identified software and video games as one of the ten pillars of the cultural industry, aiming for a revenue of one billion US dollars by 2030. The video game industry is no longer considered an issue to “take into account” by policymakers; it is now the subject of orders, investments, and long-term infrastructure development.
Observing the world, Faker, the “living legend” of e-sports, continues to compete at the highest level at over thirty years old. At the 2025 World Championships, he stated: “In life, there are no absolute answers. Each must find their own way. As long as we advance, we will find meaning in our existence.” The moment these young champions proudly enter the Hall of Fame will also mark the history of their youth. The challenging journey fades away, making way for time to continue to polish and confirm the value of these exceptional diamonds.
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/choi-game-thuc-su-de-kiem-tien-chuyen-nghe-cua-nhung-tuyen-thu-mang-danh-xung-kien-tuong-quoc-gia-216257.html
