Thai fans argue over Vietnam's 135,000-seat mega-stadium.
The Bronze Drum Stadium project, envisioned as the world's largest stadium, is currently the focus of attention in the Southeast Asian football community, receiving mixed reactions from Thai fans.
The Trong Dong Stadium project, a key structure within the Olympic Sports City complex in Hanoi, officially commenced construction on December 19th. With a massive capacity of 135,000 seats, it is not only a new symbol of Vietnamese sports but also a hot topic on Southeast Asian football forums, particularly in Thailand.
The billion-dollar project and the staggering numbers.
Invested in by Vingroup with a total capital of up to 925,000 billion VND, the Trong Dong Stadium is being developed on an area of over 9,000 hectares in the suburbs of Hanoi. According to the plan, the project is expected to be completed in August 2028. This scale immediately attracted special attention from experts and fans in the region thanks to its impressive technical specifications.
Technologically, the stadium is designed to FIFA standards with the world's largest retractable roof system, ensuring events can be held in all weather conditions. A key technical highlight is the modern modular turf technology, which allows for the complete replacement of the pitch surface in just 6-10 hours, meeting the requirements for continuously hosting numerous large-scale sporting and cultural events.
Diverse reactions from the Thai fan community.
Immediately after news of the groundbreaking ceremony spread, Thai fans sparked a heated debate on social media. Alongside expressions of admiration, many comments were sarcastic, mocking the ambitions of Vietnamese football.
Some Thai accounts questioned the feasibility of the investment, arguing that a budget of nearly one trillion baht was excessive for a single stadium. However, others viewed the project positively, considering it a major step forward for regional sports infrastructure.
"Once it's finished, I'll definitely have to go to Vietnam for a vacation. There are many attractive tourist spots there, especially the cable car lines, which I really like," a Thai fan shared his excitement about the potential for combining sports tourism when the project is completed.
Strategic vision for hosting world events.
The Trong Dong Stadium's facilities are optimized with four 360-degree curved grandstands, ensuring unobstructed views for spectators from every position. The complex also includes four training pitches, a modern VAR center connecting the entire camera system, and an international-standard press area.
Experts believe that, once completed, the Trong Dong Stadium will qualify Vietnam to host top sporting events such as the ASIAD, the Olympics, and even the World Cup in the future. Meanwhile, the hype surrounding the project has led regional media, particularly in Indonesia, to make mistakes when comparing the stadium's scale to other facilities around the world.
