The cosplay area at Vietnam GameVerse 2026 on the afternoon of 9/5 became a crowded focal point as over 200 cosplayers appeared in various outfits inspired by popular games, anime, and cartoons. Cosplay groups stretched for tens of meters, attracting audiences to stop for photos and interaction. This year, organizers reported that the number of participants nearly doubled compared to the previous season, with many groups investing heavily in costumes, props, and stage performances.

Prominent in the parade area were familiar characters from Valorant, Arknights, and Genshin Impact.

Many cosplayers moved in groups of four or five, synchronizing their styles and continuously posing in character.

Many costumes represented investments from several million to tens of millions of VND. Some cosplayers shared that wigs, accessories, and replica weapons alone required weeks of preparation and significant costs to accurately recreate the character's original design.

One cosplayer stated she has pursued cosplay for many years and currently owns 33 costumes, with a total investment exceeding 50 million VND. "Each character requires a unique wig, accessories, and weapon. Some outfits need to be custom-made or altered multiple times to achieve the correct form", she said. In addition to participating in game and anime events, Thao also rents out costumes to serve the cosplay community.

Many participants traveled from other provinces. A cosplayer from Vung Tau mentioned having to leave home at 3h to arrive in TP HCM (Ho Chi Minh City) in time for makeup and costume preparation before the program began.

A new feature of this year's cosplay activities was a live posing competition on stage. Contestants took turns performing poses, expressions, and interactions in character before a large audience.

Following the posing segment, three judges – cosplayer Mikki from Malaysia, Taotan from Thailand, and Vietnamese representative Hasu Ka – selected the top three most outstanding performances. According to the organizers, adding a live competition aimed to increase interaction and create a platform for the cosplay community to showcase their performance skills, rather than just check-ins and photo opportunities.

After the parade, the program continued with the finals of the top 10 Cosplay Contest 2026. This year's judging panel featured influential figures in the Asian cosplay community, including Mikki from Malaysia, Taotan from Thailand, Hattie from South Korea, and Vietnamese representative Hasu Ka. Vietnam GameVerse 2026 took place on 8-9/5 at SECC, organized collaboratively by the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information, VnExpress newspaper, and the Vietnam Game Alliance. The event included various activities such as: Game Expo, Esports tournaments, game forums, business networking, and an experience zone for the gaming community.

Thai Anh

Photos: Quynh Tran