Vietnam’s Vingroup is fast-tracking construction of a 135,000-seat stadium in Hanoi, aiming for completion by July 2027, one year ahead of schedule. The facility, named Trong Dong Stadium after the traditional Vietnamese bronze drum, will feature the world’s largest fully retractable roof and is located about 25 kilometers south of central Hanoi. Construction crews are working around the clock to meet the accelerated timeline [1, 2].
The stadium is part of a massive US$35 billion Olympic Sports City development spanning over 9,000 hectares on the outskirts of Hanoi. Vingroup expects the stadium to be commercially sustainable over time, although it has not released specific financial targets for the venue [1, 2].
The bronze drum-inspired design reflects plans to host major sporting and cultural events, including concerts. However, some experts question whether local sports demand can fill such a large venue. James Walton, a sports business group leader at Deloitte Asia Pacific, said, "While football is hugely popular in Vietnam, it is unlikely that a 135,000-seat stadium could be justified on domestic football demand alone." The average attendance for Vietnam's top-tier V.League 1 matches in the 2023-2024 season was fewer than 6,000 spectators per game [1]. Walton also noted that "being part of a broader urban development can improve the project’s long-term financial sustainability" [2].
Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate’s wider financial liabilities reached US$36.7 billion in 2025, accounting for over 4% of the country’s total private debt excluding related companies [1, 2].
The current largest stadium by official capacity is North Korea’s Rungrado Stadium, reportedly seating around 150,000, though that figure has been disputed. Vingroup’s 135,000-seat Trong Dong Stadium aims to claim the top spot with its scale and its innovative retractable roof [1, 2].
The site development and stadium completion are set for July 2027, putting pressure on Vingroup to deliver the venue ahead of the original December 2028 deadline [1, 2].
