$5.5B Entertainment Complex in Ho Chi Minh City Greenlit

Photo Credit: Rach Chiec National Sports Complex concept by Vung Tau Sun Co., Ltd. (Sun Group)

Ho Chi Minh City is developing a $5.5 billion entertainment complex project with up to 70,000 seats, a retractable roof, and advanced air-conditioning.

On Thursday, January 15, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex. The $5.52 billion project features a planned stadium with up to 70,000 seats, a retractable roof, and one of the most advanced air-conditioning systems available.

Of the four major infrastructure and transportation projects inaugurated by the city’s committee last week, it is notably the one with the largest total investment. The others include the Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong), Can Gio Bridge, and Phu My 2 Bridge.

Sun Group subsidiary Vung Tau Sun Co., Ltd. was selected by the city as the project’s investor. The strategic infrastructure project is expected to take eight years to complete, but is poised to drive urban development. The investor and the city intend to work together to “accelerate land clearance and construction,” aiming to complete the project within approximately five years instead.

The Rach Chiec National Sports Complex will cover a total area of over 461.5 acres, with the central stadium itself covering around 60 acres. The stadium will cost about $1.33 billion of the $5.52 billion project total, with a capacity of 70,000 seats.

Its design and equipment will enable the stadium to host international-level sports events as well as be converted into a multifunctional stage for large-scale concerts and entertainment programs. The complex overall is planned to be capable of accommodating about 90% of Olympic sports.

In addition to the central stadium, the complex will feature indoor arenas and sports centers, all equipped with modern air-conditioning systems to adjust temperature by seating zone. There will be a multipurpose sports center with 5,000-10,000 seats, an international-standard aquatic center, a tennis center, a fitness and recreation center, and auxiliary courts. The project will also include community sports areas and facilities for athletes, coaches, and medical teams.

Besides the sports facilities, a large area of the project will be allocated for public spaces such as parks and plazas throughout the site. The conference center will include a main hall with 10,000 seats, as well as multiple smaller rooms for international conferences or other events.

Overall, the complex will help jump-start Vietnam’s events infrastructure and lay the groundwork for the country to host major international sporting events and concerts.