Thong Nhat Stadium awaits a new look.

Thong Nhat Stadium has officially begun renovation and upgrading with a total budget investment of nearly 320 billion VND, expected to be completed in about one year.

Người Lao Động•24/03/2026

On the morning of March 24th, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with the City's Project Management Board for Investment and Construction of Civil and Industrial Works (hereinafter referred to as the Project Management Board), held a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovation and upgrading project of Thong Nhat Stadium.

A symbol of a bygone era

This project is part of the plan to host the 10th National Sports Games in 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. According to the plan, it should have been implemented from the beginning of 2025, but it has only officially commenced now after the planning was adjusted.

Sân vận động Thống Nhất chờ diện mạo mới - Ảnh 1. — Perspective view of Thong Nhat Stadium after its 5th major renovation (Photo: THU ANH)

Built in 1929 and put into operation two years later, Thong Nhat Stadium – originally named Renault Stadium and later renamed Cong Hoa Stadium in the 1960s – was once a symbol of the city's sports scene. Today, this nearly century-old stadium has deteriorated significantly in many areas despite undergoing four major renovations, the most recent being in 2004.

Inspection results revealed that the functional rooms, athlete's quarters, and restrooms were severely leaking and deteriorating; the B grandstand area was no longer structurally sound and the stadium has been out of use since 2022. In addition, a large portion of the athletics track had its asphalt coating peeling off, significantly impacting the training of athletes in various sports.

According to the published project details, the stadium will undergo major renovations as a Grade II civil engineering project with a total investment of 319.887 billion VND from the city's budget. Grandstand A will be extensively renovated in functional areas such as VIP rooms, athlete rooms, and doping rooms, and 4,268 seats will be replaced. Grandstands C and D will also undergo renovations and replacement of 3,699 spectator seats.

Comprehensive renovation

The main structure in this project is the B-C1-D1 grandstand area, which is undergoing major renovations, including one basement level, three above-ground levels, and two grandstand levels with a total construction floor area of over 20,000 m². Upon completion, the total new seating capacity of Thong Nhat Stadium's grandstands will be 17,750 seats.

In addition, the project also includes the construction of auxiliary facilities such as underground parking; the construction of new underground water tanks for domestic use and fire fighting; and the development of technical infrastructure, greenery, and lawns. Furthermore, the lawns, running tracks, gates, fences, and the entire technical infrastructure system have been comprehensively renovated to ensure aesthetic appeal.

The project's construction time is estimated at approximately 360 days. However, with the determination to ensure the facility is ready for the 10th National Sports Games in November 2026, the investor, construction contractor, and consulting units will focus on completing the repair and renovation of stands A, C, D, the grass field, and the running track by October 2026. Stand B is expected to be completed in December 2026 and handed over for operation in the first quarter of 2027.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Council Huynh Thanh Nhan said: "The renovation and upgrading of Thong Nhat Stadium is a correct and timely decision by the city's leaders, aimed at overcoming the deterioration of the old sports infrastructure. The decision to approve this project is not simply about repairing a stadium, but a systematic investment in the future of the city's sports. With the large-scale investment and renovation of Thong Nhat Stadium, the city is striving to create a safe and convenient playing space, maintaining the image of a cultural and sports symbol, contributing to making the city increasingly dynamic, modern, compassionate, and deeply integrated with the world ."