The renovation of Thống Nhất Stadium is prioritising facilities needed for athletics at Vietnam’s 2026 National Games. SGGP reports that the Ho Chi Minh City venue is scheduled to host the athletics programme from 22 November to 2 December, while construction of new stands is expected to continue beyond the Games.
A project with two schedules
Work began on 24 March 2026 under the city’s project management authority for civil and industrial construction. The plan renovates existing stands A, C and D alongside the grass pitch and athletics track. It also adds stands B, C1 and D1.
The existing stands and competition areas were prioritised for completion in October 2026, according to the schedule reported by SGGP. Construction of the three new stands was projected to run until February 2027. Those dates describe the project plan; progress on the priority areas is not the same as completion of the entire development.
The new structures are designed to contain more than 20,000 square metres of floor space for technical, operating and other functions. Planned capacity after completion is approximately 17,750 seats. That is a design figure rather than a count of seats confirmed ready for spectators.
What the Games require
The scope extends beyond the track and pitch to seating, entrances, fencing and landscaping. Parking, water supply and drainage, a water reservoir and fire protection are also included in the investment plan.
Athletics is scheduled over 11 days at the venue. SGGP says the longer-term plan is to use the ground for football, athletics and other sporting events after the Games. The next milestone is whether the priority facilities can be handed over and operated for the competition; the later date for the new stands remains a projection.