Vietnam to build a $5.5 billion Rach Chiec mega-stadium: Thai media astonished.
With a capacity of 75,000 seats and a record investment of 143,000 billion VND, the Rach Chiec Stadium project in Ho Chi Minh City is considered by experts to be a turning point in Southeast Asian football infrastructure.
The Rach Chiec Stadium project in Ho Chi Minh City has officially commenced construction, marking a historic milestone in the development of sports infrastructure in Vietnam. With a total investment of up to 5.5 billion USD, this project is not just a simple stadium but also a symbol of the nation's ambition to reach continental football, attracting special attention from major regional rivals, especially Thailand.
The scale and record-breaking investment of the Rach Chiec mega-project.
According to the detailed plan, Rach Chiec Stadium is located within the new National Sports Center complex in the eastern part of Ho Chi Minh City. The biggest highlight of the project is its maximum capacity, ranging from 65,000 to 75,000 seats. For comparison, this scale far exceeds My Dinh National Stadium and is on par with top football stadiums worldwide.
Technically, the stadium is designed with a roof covering the entire grandstand, ensuring the highest FIFA standards. The project not only focuses on functional competition but also integrates a surrounding green ecosystem, creating a sustainable and modern architectural space. The total cost of $5.5 billion (approximately 143 trillion VND) is considered unprecedented for a sports project in Southeast Asia to date.
Thai and Southeast Asian media are amazed by the power of the new infrastructure.
Immediately after the groundbreaking ceremony was announced on January 15th, major sports news outlets and the football community in Thailand reported the news with astonishment. Many Thai football experts considered this to be Vietnam's clearest "statement of strength" in the race to elevate regional football.
Thai newspapers emphasized that Vietnam's possession of an international-standard stadium with a capacity of 75,000 seats would create a huge advantage in bidding to host major events such as the SEA Games, ASIAD, or even the AFC Asian Cup finals. This would put considerable pressure on the existing sports infrastructure of neighboring countries.
A strategic vision for global reach.
The Rach Chiec project is part of a long-term strategy that Vietnam plans to build, encompassing three large stadiums to complete its national sports infrastructure. Choosing Ho Chi Minh City as the location for the new sports center reflects a strategic direction for developing the sports economy in conjunction with smart city initiatives.
Analysts believe that a billion-dollar stadium would not only serve football matches but also host international cultural, musical, and commercial events, thereby generating enormous revenue and enhancing the city's status. With its modern design and large capacity, Rach Chiec is expected to become the new "sanctuary" of Vietnamese football, witnessing the important strides of the national team on its journey to conquer new heights.
The significant investment in Rach Chiec Stadium shows that Vietnamese football is not only focusing on short-term professional achievements but is also building a solid foundation in terms of infrastructure. This is a key factor for Vietnamese sports to maintain fair competition with continental powerhouses in the near future.
