In Hanoi, Vietnam, construction has recently begun on the Trong Dong Stadium, which, on paper, could become the largest stadium in the world, promising to reshape the way the global sporting community will view Southeast Asia in the years to come.
Vietnam is building the largest stadium in the world
The Trong Dong Stadium, which will host 135,000 people, is a mix of aesthetics, symbolism, and innovation. It tells the story of an ambitious nation moving beyond the margins of global sport to establish itself as a leading international player.
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- Ilaria Bonvicini
- 12 February 2026
Approved by the government shortly before construction began in December 2025, this colossal architectural project will cover an area of 73.3 hectares and is expected to accommodate approximately 135,000 spectators, surpassing both the Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, and the Grand Stade Hassan II in Morocco, which will host the 2030 World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal. The facility is designed not only as an arena for football and athletics, but also as a multi-purpose venue with a fully retractable roof suitable for hosting concerts, festivals, and large-scale public events.
Beyond its record-breaking dimensions, the Trong Dong will be particularly significant for its strong connection to Vietnam’s cultural roots. The architectural design draws inspiration from the ancient bronze drums of the Dong Son culture, produced around 2,500 years ago in the Red River Delta, whose shape and intricate decorative patterns will be incorporated into the stadium’s structure. On the technical side, from the retractable roof to environmental sustainability solutions and intelligent crowd management systems, the project will include water collection and recycling systems, heat-resistance technologies, and energy consumption reduction measures.
The investment is colossal: approximately 925 trillion dong (over €30 billion), allocated not only to the stadium but also to an ambitious and complex urban regeneration plan aimed at reshaping Hanoi’s metropolitan structure through the construction of the Olympic Sport Urban Area, which will extend across eleven municipalities and is expected to be fully operational by 2035. The intention, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated, is to strengthen Vietnam’s presence on the global map of major continental and international sporting events, laying solid and concrete foundations for future bids to host World Cups and Olympic Games.
Opening image: rendering of Trong Dong Stadium