Vietnam begins construction of the world's largest stadium, Trong Dong, with 135,000 seats.
The Trong Dong Stadium project in Hanoi, with a capacity of 135,000 seats, has officially commenced construction, promising to become the biggest football stadium on the planet by 2028.
Vietnam has officially entered the global sports infrastructure race with the implementation of the Trong Dong Stadium project, an iconic structure with an expected capacity of up to 135,000 seats. Upon completion, it will be the world's largest football stadium, surpassing legendary structures like Old Trafford and Wembley, opening up prospects for realizing Vietnam's World Cup dream.
A scale that breaks all world records.
This mega-stadium project is the centerpiece of the "Olympic Sports City" master plan located south of Hanoi. With a total investment for the entire mega-city and sports complex estimated at £28 billion (equivalent to over VND 900 trillion), it is one of the largest infrastructure projects ever undertaken in the region.
According to approved design drawings, the Bronze Drum Stadium is planned to surpass the Rungrado Stadium (North Korea - 114,000 seats) as the world's number one stadium. Its scale even surpasses Morocco's Hassan II project (115,000 seats), currently under construction for the 2030 World Cup. Notably, the Bronze Drum Stadium's capacity will be almost double that of Manchester United's Old Trafford, creating an unprecedented football experience.
Inspired by national treasures and rice-farming civilization.
The building's design draws its main inspiration from the Dong Son Bronze Drum – a symbol of the rice-farming civilization and the spirit of national unity of Vietnam. The combination of traditional cultural identity and cutting-edge modern architecture aims to enhance the nation's standing on the international stage.
Hanoi, as the political and cultural center, is leading the way in establishing national-level sports facilities that meet international standards. The project not only serves sporting events but also hosts large-scale cultural, political, and social activities, meeting the growing demand for modern infrastructure.
Specifically designed for football and major events.
Unlike many multi-purpose stadiums around the world, Trong Dong Stadium is designed as a dedicated football stadium. Removing the surrounding athletics track allows the stands to be closer to the grass, optimizing the visual experience and vibrant atmosphere for spectators. Furthermore, the project is expected to feature the world's largest retractable roof system, adapting to all weather conditions.
This unique architectural design aims to make Vietnam a potential candidate to host top continental and world tournaments such as the World Cup or the Olympic Games. This is a strategic step in upgrading national infrastructure and affirming the prestige of Vietnamese sports on the global map.
Roadmap for perfecting the sports ecosystem
The groundbreaking ceremony for the project took place last December. According to the plan, the main stadium will be completed and operational from August 2028. However, the project's vision extends beyond a single stadium. The entire ecosystem of the "Hanoi Olympic Sports City" – including an advanced transportation network, satellite urban areas, and supporting facilities – is expected to be completed by 2035.
The systematic investment in a world-class facility is expected to create a major boost for the capital's sports and tourism economy, while also creating a lasting legacy for future generations.