Vietnam has unveiled plans for what is expected to become the world’s biggest football stadium, a 135,000-seat arena set to surpass global landmarks including Wembley Stadium and Old Trafford.
Officials say the new venue, which broke ground in December, will anchor the multibillion-pound Olympic Sports City in Hanoi. The government estimates the wider complex will cost about $38.2 billion.
Authorities approved plans for the record-setting Trong Dong Stadium in December. They expect the venue to host major sports fixtures along with cultural and political gatherings.
Officials describe the arena as a core element of an effort to raise the nation’s international standing, noting that the world’s biggest football stadium could help strengthen Vietnam’s presence in global sport.
Design inspired by tradition and global icons
Project architects say the stadium’s circular form draws from the traditional Dong Son brass drums, which symbolize community spirit and resilience.
🇻🇳🏟️ Vietnam is in the process of building the largest football-specific stadium in the world, the Trong Dong Stadium in the vicinity of Hanoi.
The 135,000-capacity ground, which will be home to the largest retractable roof in the world, is expected to be completed by August… pic.twitter.com/bWmqycYEXa
— The Sweeper (@SweeperPod) February 6, 2026
Their goal is to combine those historic elements with a modern structure that presents the country as innovative and forward-looking. Designers have pointed to Wembley Stadium, the Bird’s Nest Stadium, and Lusail Stadium as examples of venues that elevated their nations’ profiles.
If completed as planned, the project would surpass the 114,000-seat Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in North Korea as well as the 115,000-seat Hassan II Stadium now under construction in Casablanca, Morocco, for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
World’s biggest football stadium anchors national ambitions
Vietnam’s project website states that the country needs large, internationally compliant sports facilities as it aims to take a stronger role in regional and global competitions.
The site explains that Hanoi, as the political and cultural center, is responsible for leading the development of national-level venues that support long-term growth and international engagement. According to planners, the stadium is intended not only for sports but also as a cultural marker that reflects Vietnam’s ambitions.
Officials also say the arena will include what they call the world’s largest retractable roof and could position the country to host events such as the FIFA World Cup or the Summer Olympics.
The venue will be football-specific and will not include a running track. Developers expect to complete construction by August 2028. The broader Olympic Sports City will include four zones with new housing, upgraded transport links and additional athletic facilities.
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