Hanoi (VNA) - The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and Sun Group held a groundbreaking ceremony for a key infrastructure project – the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex on January 15.
With a total investment of more than 145 trillion VND (5.2 billion USD), the highlight of the project is a stadium with up to 70,000 seats, featuring a retractable roof and one of the most advanced air-conditioning systems currently available.
The city selected Vung Tau Sun Co., Ltd., a Sun Group subsidiary, as the investor for the project. This is also the project with the largest total investment among four major infrastructure and transportation projects inaugurated on January 15, in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate the 14th National Party Congress. The other projects include the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex, Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong), Can Gio Bridge, and Phu My 2 Bridge.
According to Decision No. 269/QD-UBND dated January 13, 2026, the project is expected to take eight years from the signing of the BT contract. However, recognising its importance as a strategic infrastructure project and a driver for urban development, the city and investor aim to accelerate land clearance and construction, targeting completion within around five years.
The central stadium, soundproof retractable roof, air-conditioning, with 70,000 seats
According to the plan, the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex will cover a total area of more than 186.78 hectares. The central stadium is the key component, covering 24 hectares with a total investment of 35,000 billion VND, and a capacity of 70,000 seats.
The central stadium is designed in the shape of a water palm leaf, with a retractable roof, advanced soundproofing, and a cutting-edge air-conditioning system that can adjust temperature by seating zone. This design and equipment allow the stadium not only to host international-level sports events but also to be converted into a multifunctional stage for large-scale concerts, regional and global entertainment programmes.
On the international level, the Rach Chiec stadium exceeds regional covered stadiums such as Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong (50,000 seats) and Singapore National Stadium (55,000 seats). Compared to open-air stadiums, it is also close to global icons such as London’s Wembley Stadium (90,000 seats), the “home of English football,” and Beijing’s “Bird’s Nest” Stadium (around 80,000 seats).
A multi-functional complex capable of hosting 90% of Olympic sports
The Rach Chiec National Sports Complex is planned as a multi-functional complex capable of accommodating about 90% of Olympic sports.
In addition to the central stadium, the complex will include indoor arenas and sports centers equipped with modern air-conditioning systems that can flexibly adjust temperature by seating zone. Specifically, the Multi-purpose Competitive arena and Performance Arena covering 10 hectares with a capacity of about 18,000 seats will serve indoor sports, art performances, entertainment programmes, and combined events. A multi-purpose sports center with 5,000–10,000 seats will accommodate competitions in multiple disciplines, training, and community sports events. An international-standard aquatic centre will host swimming, diving, and water polo. A tennis center will support competitions, training, and professional tournaments. There will also be a fitness and recreation centre, along with auxiliary courts.
In addition, community sports areas and facilities for athletes, coaches, and medical teams will expand Rach Chiec’s role from a professional competition center into a sports and entertainment space integrated with urban life, forming a closed-loop ecosystem of training, competition, and rehabilitation. The development of public sports areas will allow residents easy access to health and recreational services, contributing to improved quality of life, reduced stress, and better physical and mental health.
A new international-standard conference centre in Ho Chi Minh City
Alongside sports facilities, the project allocates a large area for public spaces and urban services. Public parks and plazas will extend throughout the site, linking all sports facilities, creating ecological buffers, and offering community spaces. Waterfront areas will host recreational activities, community sports, outdoor events, and festivals, as well as dining, shopping, and cultural exchange spaces, contributing to better quality of life for residents.
Commercial, service, and conference areas are planned to support sports and event activities, hosting world-class artistic performances and forming a centre for event-driven economy, nighttime economy, and increased tourist spending in HCM City.
The conference centre will be one of the largest in the region, including a main hall with 10,000 seats and multiple smaller multifunctional rooms suitable for international conferences, seminars, and forums. Nearby hotels will provide high-end accommodations for large numbers of delegates, guests, experts, and tourists, with convenient access and direct connection to the main project corridors.
With its scale and design, Rach Chiec is expected to become a “new growth pole” in HCM City’s eastern region, where top-level sports events, international concerts, and cultural festivals will take place year-round. Together with other large-scale sports facilities nationwide, the complex will help complete Vietnam’s sports infrastructure and lay the foundation for the country to host major international events such as the World Cup and the Olympic Games./.
