Ho Chi Minh City presents 18 major sports initiatives

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee is seeking investment from the municipal People's Council for 18 sports projects using the public-private partnership approach. The goal is to tackle the lack of sports facilities that the city has been facing for the past ten years.

Administrator

2 January, 2024

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Among these projects, up to 16 are designated for Thu Duc City.

Two additional sporting initiatives include the construction of a new outdoor sports training and competition facility in District 11, with an investment of over VND465 billion (US$19.1 million), and the building of a swimming pool within the Cultural and Sports Center of Binh Tan District, with an investment surpassing VND199 billion ($8.2 million).

The flagship project is the development of a new major stadium in Thu Duc City. It will feature a roof, have a seating capacity of 50,000, and include an athletics track. The construction of this impressive stadium requires a staggering investment of VND7 trillion ($288.2 million).

Following closely is the bicycle racing complex in Thu Duc City, comprising a 5,000-seat grandstand, a racing track, and an outdoor football field. This project has a total investment of VND4 trillion ($164.7 million).

Another key sports project in Thu Duc City is the general sports stadium, with an investment of VND3 trillion ($123.5 million). It will consist of a main stadium with 10,000-seat stands and two auxiliary fields with 1,000-seat stands, covering an area of 3.63 hectares.

An indoor stadium is designed for athletics events such as javelin throwing, hammer throwing, discus throwing, high jump, and pole vaulting. This project requires an investment of VND1.5 trillion ($61.7 million).

A tennis arena project, featuring a 5,000-seat grandstand and an outdoor tennis court cluster, is set to receive an investment of VND1 trillion ($41.2 million).

There are also plans for a competition and practice swimming pool project, with an investment of VND1 trillion.

Other projects include a new football academy and a cluster of six outdoor football practice fields, attracting an investment of VND1 trillion. Additionally, a futsal arena with a 3,000-seat grandstand is proposed, with an investment of VND800 billion ($32.9 million).

Notably, a medical and health rehabilitation center, aimed at promptly supporting the health of athletes and the general public involved in training and sports competitions, will receive an investment of VND500 billion ($20.6 million).

The proposal is a response to the deteriorating conditions of Thong Nhat Stadium in District 10, one of the city’s largest stadiums with a current capacity of nearly 14,400 seats.

Despite ongoing renovations, the stadium’s limitations, including a degraded athletics track and insufficient capacity, hinder the growth of sports in Ho Chi Minh City.

As a result, international matches featuring the Vietnamese national football teams have largely taken place in Hanoi and northern provinces like Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, and Ha Nam, which have commendable stadiums, for several years.

Football enthusiasts in Ho Chi Minh City have rarely had the opportunity to watch these matches live in the city.

Moreover, the absence of dedicated stadiums for young athletes poses a challenge for the city’s football development.

Youth players must rotate between two fields at Phu Tho Indoor Sports Stadium, where rain and flooding often complicate training sessions.

The proposal aims to address these challenges and provide better facilities for the city’s sports development, a move that has been welcomed by sports expert Doan Minh Xuong.