PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS has become the focus of Vietnam’s gaming community after KRAFTON announced penalties for players Himass and TanVuu. Both were permanently banned from the PUBG Esports system following controversy over the use of outside information during play.
The decision quickly set off a strong reaction. Not only players and streamers spoke out; many Vietnamese players publicly deleted PUBG from their PCs, turning the story into more than an esports incident.
Himass and TanVuu permanently banned from PUBG Esports
According to KRAFTON’s latest notice, Himass and TanVuu were found to have violated PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS operating policy by using information from outside the game, affecting competitive fairness.
The two players had become the center of controversy at PUBG Asia Stars 2026 over allegations of monitoring outside information during matches. KRAFTON initially removed both from the rest of the tournament, but the story did not end there as the publisher continued investigating before issuing a new penalty.
KRAFTON’s final decision permanently locks both players’ PUBG accounts and bans them from all official PUBG Esports events organized or sanctioned by KRAFTON, including PGC, PGS, PNC and other official competitions. KRAFTON said the players retain the right to submit an explanation under the esports rules.
It started with controversy at PUBG Asia Stars 2026
The case began after Korean streamer Soopi accused the two Vietnamese players of using livestream information to locate opponents. KRAFTON swiftly penalized both and revoked their PUBG Vietnam Partner status. The process stayed contentious when KRAFTON later admitted shortcomings in its initial handling, saying some decisions were made before verification was complete. The investigation ultimately found that Himass and TanVuu received information from outside the game, yet debate continues over the severity of the violation, the tournament rules and how KRAFTON applied the penalty.
Vietnam’s PUBG community reacts strongly
Reactions spread quickly after the new penalty was announced. Some players, streamers and gamers publicly deleted PUBG, and the images appeared continuously on social media. Notably, Rambo and DJChip were also seen leaving PUBG; both have long been associated with PUBG in Vietnam, which drew extra attention. Some internet cafés were also reported to join the deletion wave. Many saw these actions as a way for the community to show support for Himass and TanVuu.
Thai gamers speak up too
Reactions were not limited to Vietnam. Some Thai gamers defended the two Vietnamese players, with many arguing on social media that KRAFTON’s handling raises questions about consistent rule enforcement for professional players. The regional interest shows the case has moved beyond Vietnamese PUBG into a topic across the Southeast Asian PUBG community.
What does the deletion wave mean for the game’s future?
After the penalties, a big question emerged: how will PUBG be sustained in Vietnam? Social media has claimed that some professional PUBG teams may consider switching to other titles, including Delta Force. These claims are unconfirmed. There has been no official statement from KRAFTON or the esports organizations about PUBG Vietnam Series being canceled or all Vietnamese teams leaving the PUBG system, so treating them as confirmed decisions would be inappropriate.
PUBG is still active in Vietnam
Despite the negative reaction, there is no basis to claim PUBG has officially left the Vietnamese market. The PUBG Vietnam page continues to post updates, and the tournament system still lists PUBG Vietnam Series 2026 Phase 2, running September 4–October 4, 2026. PUBG also continues to provide Vietnamese-language support on its channels.
KRAFTON faces a big challenge with the Vietnamese community
What makes this case notable goes beyond the penalty itself. PUBG has built a large community in Vietnam over the years, from casual players and streamers to professional players, teams and the tournament system. Any decision involving influential figures can therefore cause a much broader reaction than an ordinary esports penalty. In particular, KRAFTON admitting shortcomings in its initial handling and then still issuing a permanent ban has become one of the biggest points of debate. The community continues to watch what the publisher and Vietnam’s PUBG Esports organizations do next.
It is too early to say PUBG has “ended” in Vietnam
At this point it can be confirmed that Himass and TanVuu received permanent bans from the PUBG Esports system and that both players’ PUBG accounts were permanently locked. The Vietnamese community is reacting strongly, with many players and streamers publicly deleting the game. But reports that PUBG is leaving Vietnam, that PVS is canceled or that teams are moving en masse to Delta Force remain unconfirmed. PUBG’s future in Vietnam will depend on KRAFTON’s next decisions. For a community that has stayed with PUBG for years, what comes next may determine whether this is a short-lived PR crisis or a major turning point for Vietnamese PUBG Esports.
Sources: Compiled.