New impetus from the National Exhibition and Convention Center

With a scale of nearly 90 hectares, the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the largest exhibition centers in the world, the National Exhibition and Fair Center in Dong Anh commune (Hanoi) has been handed over and is expected to be inaugurated on August 19, 2025.

The new symbolic project of the capital is expected to create a driving force for the development of tourism economy and cultural industry. (Photo: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)

This is a national key project, expected to become a meeting place for international events and create a dynamic "Expo" economic development momentum.

From big ideas to iconic buildings

The National Exhibition Center Project was approved by the Prime Minister in 2015, assigned to Hanoi city to coordinate with ministries, branches and enterprises to implement in order to meet the needs of organizing international fairs, exhibitions and events in the context of increasingly deep integration.

The selected location is at the northeastern gateway of the capital, conveniently connected to Noi Bai International Airport, national highways and the planned urban railway system.

The main exhibition hall is named Kim Quy, simulating the image of the golden turtle, one of the four sacred animals in Eastern culture and associated with the legend of the god Kim Quy protecting the land of Co Loa. The design simulating the turtle shell and spirals evokes the ancient citadel of Co Loa, symbolizing folk wisdom, cultural identity and historical depth. The giant steel dome weighing up to 24,000 tons was deployed "at lightning speed" by 1,000 workers and engineers, working continuously 24/24 hours, which is considered a new miracle of Vietnamese design and construction technology.

The main exhibition hall is named Kim Quy, simulating the image of the golden turtle, one of the four sacred animals in Eastern culture and associated with the legend of the god Kim Quy protecting the land of Co Loa.

The complex represents the intersection of tradition, technology and urban identity, creating a unique architectural mark on Hanoi's innovation journey. Along with that, the Crossbow Park, squares, outdoor exhibition areas, international standard conference-wedding center and synchronous infrastructure system have formed a modern, multifunctional complex.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung said that the National Exhibition and Fair Center has been identified as a key, strategic project, expected to become a world-class exhibition center. This is not only a simple cultural institution but also a project that links economic development with cultural industry.

Construction began at the end of August 2024, and by the end of June 2025, the two main items, Kim Quy Exhibition Hall and the outdoor exhibition area, had been technically handed over. In August 2025, the National Exhibition and Fair Center demonstrated its ability to host large-scale events such as “V-Concert-Rang ro Viet Nam” and “V-Fest-Rang ro Thanh xuan”.

In the near future, this place will continue to welcome a series of grand events such as the 8Wonder-Moments of Wonder music festival (August 23) gathering famous international artists; the "Vietnam I Am" running race (August 24) expected to have 20,000 athletes participating; the "Vietnam in Me" music festival (August 26) and especially the Exhibition of socio-economic achievements celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day with the theme "80 years of the Journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" (from August 28 to September 5, 2025).

Dr. Vo Tri Thanh, Director of the Institute for Brand Strategy and Competitiveness Research, commented that the project not only meets the integration needs in the new era but is also a symbol demonstrating Vietnam's position and ability to connect with the world.

Highlights of the 80th National Day

According to the Project to organize the Exhibition of Socio-Economic Achievements on the occasion of the 80th National Day, the Organizing Committee coordinated with ministries, branches and localities to build diverse exhibition spaces, including exhibitions at Kim Quy Exhibition House; outdoor exhibition areas in four courtyards: East, West, South, North and international exhibition areas with 12 cultural industries.

The exhibition introduces achievements in many fields: industry-technology, investment-trade, agriculture-rural areas, security-defense, foreign affairs, health, education, culture, sports, tourism..., while depicting the image of Vietnam and its people, 4,000 years of cultural traditions, the identity of 54 ethnic groups, the richness of resources and products of the three regions, and typical architectural works of the past and present.

Visitors have the opportunity to participate in traditional art programs, watch films, attend seminars, interact with artists and prominent figures; enjoy traditional and modern cultural and artistic activities. Topics such as "Vietnam-Country-People", "95 years of the Party flag lighting the way", "Rich Province-Strong Country", "Start-up to build the nation" recreate the historical journey and development aspirations, alongside exhibition areas on green economy, digital transformation, aerospace industry and comprehensive foreign affairs. The exhibition content combines many types: images, documentaries, 3D models, AR/VR technology, art performances...

Implementing the Government's direction, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is actively coordinating with ministries, branches and localities to carry out assigned tasks, ensuring clear division of 6 tasks: clear people, clear work, clear responsibility, clear authority, clear time, clear results, to basically complete the exhibition items before the preliminary opening review time scheduled for August 20.

In particular, on August 19, the National Exhibition and Fair Center was honored to be the central bridge connecting 80 live and online television bridges across the country during the inauguration and groundbreaking ceremony of projects and works to celebrate the 80th anniversary of National Day.

In the long term, the Center is expected to become a strategic infrastructure for the event economy (Expo Trading), a field that brings high added value and is currently a trend in the world. Many studies show that each USD spent by tourists at special events can create a spillover effect 2 to 3 times higher than normal tourism, thanks to the combination of accommodation, cuisine, transportation, trade and destination promotion services.

MY HANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dong-luc-moi-tu-trung-tam-hoi-cho-trien-lam-quoc-gia-post901173.html