Populous Unveils 70,000-Seat Rach Chiec Stadium Design for Ho Chi Minh City

Key facts

• Populous has unveiled its design for Rach Chiec Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, which will become Vietnam's national stadium.
• The stadium will be the largest in Vietnam when completed, with around 30,000 seats more than the current record holder, Mỹ Đình National Stadium.
• It will be built on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City as part of a 200-hectare Rach Chiec National Sports Complex, masterplanned by Populous, which will also include an 18,000-seat arena.
• The stadium will be wrapped in a diamond-patterned facade informed by the shape of Nipa Palms that grow alongside rivers in the area.
• It will be covered by a fully retractable roof that will allow the playing area to be environmentally controlled and shield surrounding residential areas from noise.
• Rach Chiec Stadium is designed to host team sports such as football, but also "90 per cent of Olympic sports".
• It forms part of a wider plan to improve Vietnam's sporting facilities with the aim of hosting major events including the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Cup and potentially a future Olympics.
• Populous senior principal Andrew Tulen said the stadium and arena design are informed by the masterplan for the entire precinct, providing anchors for a park-like experience, supported by commercial offerings and activations.
• Populous is currently designing stadiums for the Tampa Bay Rays professional baseball team in the USA and a stand for Wrexham AFC in the UK.
• Populous is also currently renovating the "home of Indian cricket" in Kolkata, Estádio da Luz stadium in Lisbon for Benfica and the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.