Vietnam unveils plans for world's largest football stadium in Hanoi

February 09, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Vietnam unveils plans for world's largest football stadium in Hanoi

Vietnam has released breathtaking new renders of what is set to become the largest football stadium on the planet, signalling a bold new chapter in the country's sporting and urban ambitions.

Planned for the southern outskirts of Hanoi, the Trong Dong Stadium will boast an astonishing 135,000-seat capacity, comfortably eclipsing iconic venues such as Wembley Stadium and Estádio do Maracanã.

Once completed, the Vietnamese colossus is expected to sit atop the global stadium hierarchy, surpassing even Michigan Stadium and Barcelona's redeveloped Camp Nou.

A new global number one

With capacity alone placing it in a league of its own, Trong Dong Stadium will overtake the current record holders, including Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea and the planned Grand Stade Hassan II in Morocco.

Crucially, unlike many ultra-large arenas, the new Vietnamese venue is designed as a football-specific stadium, with no athletics track, ensuring optimal sightlines and atmosphere for supporters.

Deep roots in Vietnamese identity

Despite its futuristic scale and technology, the stadium's design is firmly rooted in national heritage.

Architects have drawn inspiration from ancient Đông Sơn bronze drums, foundational artefacts of Vietnamese culture dating back over 2,000 years.

The exterior will feature distinctive Lạc bird motifs, transforming the stadium into a powerful cultural landmark and a new visual symbol for the capital.

Cutting-edge technology at record scale

Trong Dong Stadium is set to be among the most technologically advanced sporting venues ever built.

Plans include:

The world's largest retractable roof
A fully retractable pitch, capable of being swapped or withdrawn in 6-10 hours
AI-driven stadium management systems
Advanced telecommunications and smart infrastructure

These features will allow the venue to host not only elite football matches, but also major cultural and international events.

The heart of a $35bn Olympic Sports City

The stadium is the centrepiece of the vast Olympic Sports City megaproject, a transformational urban development covering more than 9,000 hectares.

Led by Vietnamese private developer Vingroup, the scheme aims to create a new residential and sports district for approximately 750,000 residents, with total investment estimated at over USD 35 billion (VND 925 trillion).

Within a dedicated 411-hectare sports zone, plans include:

Multiple smaller stadiums and arenas
A state-of-the-art aquatics centre
A purpose-built esports venue

Beyond sport, the wider district will feature hospitals, research facilities, hotels, shopping centres and a comprehensive new transport network, positioning it to host events such as the Asian Games or even the Olympic Games.

Rapid progress and ambitious timelines

Remarkably, the project only began attracting widespread media attention towards the end of 2025.

By 19 December 2025, Vietnam's National Resistance Day, a ceremonial groundbreaking had already taken place as part of a nationwide launch of 234 infrastructure projects.

According to the current schedule:

Trong Dong Stadium is due for completion in August 2028
The full Olympic Sports City development is expected to be finished by 2035

A landmark moment for Vietnamese sport

When complete, Trong Dong Stadium will not only be the largest stadium in the world, but also one of the most distinctive ever built.

Combining monumental scale, cutting-edge engineering and deep cultural symbolism, the project underlines Vietnam's growing confidence on the global stage, and its determination to redefine what a modern football stadium can be.

FAQ

Where will Trong Dong Stadium be built?

Trong Dong Stadium will be built in Thượng Phúc commune, on the southern outskirts of Hanoi, more than 20 kilometres from the city centre, as part of the Olympic Sports City megaproject.

How many people will Trong Dong Stadium hold?

The stadium will have a planned capacity of 135,000 spectators, making it the largest football stadium in the world once completed.

When is Trong Dong Stadium scheduled to open?

Construction of the stadium is scheduled for completion in August 2028, with the wider Olympic Sports City development expected to be finished by 2035.

What makes Trong Dong Stadium unique?

The stadium combines record-breaking scale with deep cultural symbolism. Its design is inspired by ancient Đông Sơn bronze drums and will feature Lạc bird motifs, alongside cutting-edge technology including a retractable roof and pitch.