Ho Chi Minh City breaks ground on the 145,000 billion VND Rach Chiec mega-project: A 70,000-seat stadium shaped like a water coconut leaf.
The Rach Chiec sports complex, invested in by Sun Group, boasts a modern, air-conditioned, covered stadium, promising to become a new symbol of sports and culture in the eastern region.
On the morning of January 15, 2026, Ho Chi Minh City officially launched a key infrastructure project: the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex. With a total investment exceeding 145,000 billion VND, this is the largest-scale project in a series of infrastructure and transportation projects launched to celebrate the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
The project is being implemented by Vung Tau Sun Company Limited (a member of Sun Group) under Decision No. 269/QD-UBND of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee. According to the plan, the project is expected to take approximately 8 years to complete; however, the city and the investor are making efforts to accelerate land clearance, aiming to shorten the completion time to 5 years to create a development boost for the eastern area.
70,000-seat stadium: A new symbol of regional sports.
At the heart of the complex is the 24-hectare central stadium, with a separate investment of up to 35,000 billion VND. Inspired by the familiar image of the coconut palm leaf of the Southern region of Vietnam, the structure not only boasts high aesthetic value but also possesses the most advanced technologies in the world.
A groundbreaking feature is the flexible roofing system that can open and close automatically, combined with modern soundproofing solutions. In particular, the stadium is equipped with a customizable air conditioning system for each seating area, ensuring the best possible experience for spectators in all weather conditions.
With a capacity of 70,000 seats, Rach Chiec Stadium far surpasses regional venues such as Kai Tak (Hong Kong - 50,000 seats) or Singapore National Stadium (55,000 seats), approaching global "sacred places" like Wembley in England.
Multifunctional sports and entertainment ecosystem
In addition to the main stadium, Rach Chiec is planned as a multi-purpose complex capable of hosting 90% of Olympic sports. Notable features include:
- Multipurpose arena:Spanning 10 hectares and with a capacity of 18,000 seats, it is designed to host international art performances and music festivals.
- Aquatic Sports Center:Meets international standards for swimming and water polo competitions.
- Tennis court:Serving the training and organization of professional tournaments.
- Sports training and medical center:Providing a comprehensive rehabilitation process for athletes.
Economic center, events and community spaces
The project is not purely about sports but also a leading regional convention center with a large meeting hall seating 10,000 people. The adjacent high-end hotel system will ensure sufficient accommodation for a large number of international experts and visitors, thereby boosting the city's event economy and nightlife.
Public spaces and plazas extending throughout the project create an ecological buffer zone and community gathering place for residents. Along with Metro Line 2, the Can Gio Bridge, and the recently commenced Phu My 2 Bridge, the Rach Chiec Complex is expected to become a "new growth pole," completing the picture of modern infrastructure for Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam on the international map.
