The groundbreaking ceremony for the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was held on 15 January 2026. Vung Tau Sun Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Sun Group, has been chosen as the investor for the project.
With a total investment of more than VND 145,000 billion, this new landmark will feature a main stadium with up to 70,000 seats, a retractable roof, and a highly modern air-conditioning system.
According to Sun Group, the project is scheduled 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.
Main stadium with soundproof retractable roof
Based on the plan, the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex will have a total area of more than 186.78 ha. The main stadium is the key component, covering 24 ha with a total investment of VND 35,000 billion and a capacity of 70,000 seats.
Designed in the shape of a water palm leaf, the stadium will be equipped with a retractable roof, advanced soundproofing, and an air-conditioning system that can adjust temperature by seating zone. These features will allow the venue not only to host international-level sports events, but also to be converted into a multifunctional stage for large-scale concerts and regional/global entertainment programmes.
On the international level, Sun Group said 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) and Beijing’s ‘Bird’s Nest’ Stadium (around 80,000 seats).
Multifunctional complex
Besides its main stadium, the complex will incorporate indoor arenas and sports centres. In particular, the multi-purpose competitive arena and performance arena covering 10 ha with a capacity of about 18,000 seats will serve indoor sports, art performances, entertainment programmes, and combined events.
A multi-purpose sports centre with 5,000-10,000 seats will accommodate competitions in various disciplines, training and community sports events. An international-standard aquatic centre will host swimming, diving and water polo; while a tennis centre will support competitions, training and professional tournaments. Plus, there will be a fitness and recreation centre, along with auxiliary courts.
Other highlights include community sports areas and facilities for athletes, coaches and medical teams, which will expand Rach Chiec’s role from a professional competition centre 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 offer residents easy access to health and recreational services, contributing to improved quality of life, reduced stress, and better physical and mental health.
Conference centre and public areas
What’s more, the project allocates a large area for public spaces and urban services. There will be public parks and plazas extending throughout the site, linking all sports facilities. Waterfront areas will host recreational activities, community sports, outdoor events and festivals, as well as dining, shopping and cultural exchange spaces. Commercial, service and conference areas are also planned to support sports and event activities.
The new conference centre will be one of the largest in the region, revealed Sun Group. It will include a main hall with 10,000 seats and smaller multifunctional rooms suitable for international conferences, seminars and forums. Nearby hotels will provide high-end accommodations for visitors, 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 Ho Chi Minh City’s eastern region, where top-level sports events, international concerts and cultural festivals will take place all 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.
All images: Sun Group
