Vietnam is pushing ahead with plans to build what could become the world’s largest stadium, with construction progressing rapidly on a massive 135,000-seat venue on the outskirts of Hanoi.
Developed by Vingroup, the project is being fast-tracked with thousands of workers operating around the clock to complete the stadium by July 2027 — a full year ahead of the original schedule announced last December.
Located about 25 kilometres south of central Hanoi, the stadium will form part of a sprawling US$35 billion Olympic Sports City development covering more than 9,000 hectares.
According to Vingroup, the venue will boast the world’s largest seating capacity and feature the biggest fully retractable roof ever built. The stadium has been named Trong Dong Stadium, inspired by Vietnam’s iconic bronze drum, a symbol deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural heritage.
The ambitious project is designed to host major international sporting competitions, entertainment spectacles and large-scale concerts, with developers betting that future demand will justify its enormous size.
Currently, the title of the world’s largest stadium is generally attributed to Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea, which is officially listed as having a capacity of 150,000. However, some observers have disputed that figure, suggesting the actual seating capacity may be significantly lower.
Despite football’s immense popularity in Vietnam, industry experts have questioned whether domestic sporting demand alone can fill a 135,000-seat arena. Data from the country’s top-flight football competition shows average attendances of fewer than 6,000 spectators per match during the 2023-24 season.
Vingroup has not disclosed specific financial projections for the stadium but insists the facility will be commercially sustainable over the long term, particularly as part of a wider urban development strategy.
The company is simultaneously undertaking several major infrastructure projects, including high-speed rail networks, renewable energy developments and large-scale urban expansion schemes.
The stadium project also aligns with Vietnam’s broader national ambition to modernise its infrastructure and sustain annual economic growth of at least 10 per cent throughout the remainder of the decade.
Authorities have unveiled plans for hundreds of major infrastructure projects worth an estimated US$200 billion by 2030, including airports, railways, ports and bridges, as the country seeks to transform itself into a regional economic powerhouse.
While some analysts support the strategy of building infrastructure ahead of demand in a rapidly developing economy, others have cautioned about the risks of underutilised facilities, delayed returns on investment and rising debt exposure.
Nevertheless, if completed as planned, the Trong Dong Stadium is expected to become one of the most recognisable sporting landmarks in the world and a symbol of Vietnam’s growing economic ambitions.
