HANOI is preparing for the big time in live events as it prepares to open the 135,000-seat VinFast – Trong Dong Stadium, a venue that developers say will become the largest stadium in the world by seating capacity.
The landmark venue, scheduled to open on July 31, 2027, is being positioned as a flagship destination for global live events as Vietnam seeks to strengthen its profile on the international sports, culture and entertainment stage.
In a big step towards that goal, stadium developers Vingroup – Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate – has entered into a strategic partnership with Legends Global, the venue management and live events specialist whose portfolio spans more than 450 venues worldwide.
The agreement will see the two organisations work together on the management and operation of the stadium ahead of its opening. The partnership is geared towards attracting international events to Hanoi while ensuring the venue meets global operating standards from day one.
Legends Global will provide expertise in venue and facility management, vendor coordination and on-site service operations, while also supporting the development of local management talent.
With a planned capacity of 135,000 seats, VinFast-Trong Dong Stadium would surpass all existing stadiums worldwide in scale. According to official fugures, the Narendra Modi Stadium is currently the largest with seating for 132,000 followed by Pyongyang’s Rungrado 1st of May Stadium at 114,000 and the Michigan Stadium at 107,601.
The venue forms the centrepiece of the wider Hung Vuong International Sports Complex, with training facilities, hotels, shopping centres, hospitals, parks, theatres and cultural attractions.
“VinFast-Trong Dong Stadium is far more than a sporting venue,” said Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup. “With its world-leading scale, contemporary architecture inspired by Vietnamese cultural heritage, automated retractable roof, and playing surface designed to meet FIFA standards, we envision working alongside Legends Global to transform the stadium into a global gathering place for the finest sporting, cultural, and entertainment events.”
Inspired by Vietnam’s Dong Son bronze drum and the legendary Lac bird, the stadium will blend cultural symbolism with modern technology, including a retractable roof and integrated real-time security and crowd management systems.
More… Hanoi mega-facility boosts industry ties
The project is expected to attract more international visitors and events with developers aiming to establish both the stadium and the wider sports complex as one of Asia’s leading event destinations.
Legends Global believes the project has the potential to reshape Hanoi’s position within the international events industry.
Dan Levy, CEO of Legends Global, described the stadium as “an extraordinary project for Vietnam” that would “help position Hanoi at the forefront of the global live events industry”.
“We look forward to sharing our expertise in venue and event management to help bring Vingroup’s ambition and vision for the world’s largest stadium to life,” Levy said.
Peter Loxton, Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific and Middle East at Legends Global, said: “We are confident that, from the very first major event, the experience for fans, athletes, performers, event organisers, and partners will match the extraordinary scale of the stadium itself.
“Our long-term exclusive partnership with Vingroup allows Legends Global to combine global expertise with local talent to strengthen Vietnam’s venue management capabilities,” Loxton said.
Paul Sergeant, a stadium expert at Legends Global, is already in Hanoi overseeing technical preparations as recruitment begins for the venue’s operational team ahead of the 2027 opening.
