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A South Korean worker employed in Vietnam (fifth from left) poses for a commemorative photo after winning a lottery jackpot worth approximately 5.8 billion won. / Photo courtesy of Vietlott

A South Korean worker employed in Vietnam has won a lottery jackpot worth approximately 5.8 billion won.

On July 21 (local time), local media and Vietlott reported that Mr. K, a South Korean national residing in Hanoi and working for a foreign company in Bac Ninh Province, won the first prize in the 1,370th draw of Vietlott's Power 6/55, receiving 102.8 billion VND (around 5.8 billion won).

According to Vietlott, the winning ticket was purchased at a point of sale on Nguyen Dang Dao Street in the Kinh Bac area of Bac Ninh Province. The winning numbers were 09-17-20-33-41-42.

Mr. K first learned about Vietlott lotteries through media and the internet about five years ago. Finding the gameplay and prize structures similar to lotteries he enjoyed in South Korea, he continued buying them in Vietnam, describing it as a regular hobby.

"I visit the store about twice a week to buy 20 to 30 tickets, and when the jackpot accumulates to a large amount, I buy about 50 tickets at once," he said.

Recalling his feelings at the time, Mr. K shared, "I was genuinely shocked and couldn't believe it. I checked the numbers multiple times before I could believe I had won the jackpot."

He decided to return a portion of his winnings to society. At the Vietlott award ceremony, Mr. K donated 1.5 billion VND (around 84.3 million won) to a social contribution foundation, stating, "Having received such great fortune in Vietnam, I want to share that luck with those in need."

Under Vietnamese tax law, lottery winners must pay a 10 percent personal income tax on prize amounts exceeding 20 million VND. Consequently, Mr. K will pay approximately 10.2 billion VND in taxes to Bac Ninh Province, where the ticket was sold, with the tax being withheld at the source prior to payout.

                                                                                                         Jeong Ah-reum