Hung Yen, 19 October 2025 – The automatically retractable roof and hybrid modular grass surface are among the first technologies of their kind in Vietnam, announced as part of the 60,000-seat stadium project recently launched in Hung Yen.
On the morning of October 19, the PVF Stadium, located within a 920,000-square-meter sports and service complex, officially broke ground in Hung Yen. Once completed, it will be Vietnam’s largest sports facility since the My Dinh National Sports Complex opened in 2002.
According to the design unit, the project will feature several cutting-edge global technologies, highlighted by an automatically retractable roof, hybrid modular turf, and an integrated smart technical system.
The first key highlight lies in the roof. It can fully open or close in about 12 to 20 minutes, a technology used at world-class stadiums such as AT&T Stadium in the U.S. and Al-Bayt Stadium in Qatar.
In a statement yesterday, the PVF Stadium designers revealed they drew inspiration from AT&T Stadium. This venue is renowned for its massive steel dome structure featuring twin steel box trusses spanning about 373 meters—making it the longest in the world—10.7 meters deep, 5 meters wide, and capable of supporting 8,618 tons. The sliding roof consists of two translucent membrane panels measuring 78 m x 125 m, which open or close in just 12 minutes, combined with 36-meter-high and 55-meter-wide end-zone glass doors that open in 18 minutes to create a spacious, flexible atmosphere.
According to HowStuffWorks, retractable roofs allow stadiums to adapt to weather conditions. During heavy rain, intense sunlight, or strong winds, the roof can cover the stands and pitch entirely. In good weather, opening the roof provides natural ventilation and an open-air feel, improving match quality while protecting the turf from harsh conditions.
The operating mechanism is complex, consisting of several steel or PTFE fiber panels sliding along rails powered by electric motors. PTFE fibers are extremely heat-resistant and lightweight, making them popular in modern stadium roofing. Sensors are installed throughout the structure to monitor alignment and speed, along with emergency braking systems for safety.
Popular Mechanics notes that moving such a massive roof weighing thousands of tons smoothly and accurately is a remarkable engineering feat requiring extreme precision. The PTFE material is light, durable, UV-resistant, and helps reduce noise from rain, keeping spectators comfortable regardless of outside weather.
Currently, the record for the fastest retractable roof belongs to Chase Stadium (Inter Miami, U.S.), which opens or closes in just 4 minutes and 30 seconds. In Southeast Asia, only Singapore National Stadium and Jakarta International Stadium (Indonesia) use similar technology.
The hybrid grass surface—combining natural grass with artificial fibers—is another key feature of the new Hung Yen stadium. According to SIS Pitches, this turf is made by stitching natural grass with synthetic fibers, producing a more stable and even surface than natural grass alone. All 20 English Premier League clubs currently use hybrid turf, mainly supplied by Desso GrassMaster or SISGrass.
This surface offers greater durability, better drainage, less damage, and easier maintenance—crucial in Vietnam’s tropical monsoon climate, where heavy rain and intense sun are common. During Vietnam’s 1–0 win over Nepal on October 14 at Thong Nhat Stadium in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, head coach Kim Sang-sik said the heavy rain had affected the pitch, preventing his team from winning by a larger margin.
Hybrid turf also enhances player safety, reducing injury risk and allowing faster movement. Most 11-a-side football pitches in Vietnam use natural grass, which tends to be uneven and cause abrasions. Artificial turf, on the other hand, lacks proper elasticity and increases injury risks.
The modular design allows individual turf sections to be removed or replaced for multi-purpose use, enabling the stadium to host football, concerts, or large-scale events with minimal renovation time. The venue is expected to accommodate major entertainment shows featuring A-list performers.
With 60,000 seats, the new stadium will rank fourth in Southeast Asia by capacity, behind Bukit Jalil (Malaysia, 87,411), Jakarta International (82,000), and Gelora Bung Karno (Indonesia, 77,193). In Asia, PVF Stadium will be among the top 40 in capacity, compared to My Dinh Stadium’s 40,192 seats, which currently ranks around 130th on the continent.
Capacity, however, is only part of the story. A large stadium opens opportunities to host regional qualifiers, finals, and large entertainment events. The key to revenue lies in how frequently it is used for major occasions.
The deterioration of My Dinh Stadium has cost Vietnam chances to host large-scale shows, such as last year’s K-Time event. Australian fans once compared its field to a “cow pasture” due to poor grass quality.
From an urban development perspective, a stadium of this scale can attract infrastructure, services, and tourism investment, turning it into an economic hub rather than just a sports venue. Outside rush hour, travel from Noi Bai Airport to PVF Stadium takes about 60 minutes, and from Cat Bi Airport (Hai Phong) about 90 minutes.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang said the project is part of the Public Security Sports and Cultural Complex. The stadium will serve as a multifunctional sports and entertainment hub, featuring technical and security zones, a broadcast operations center, press rooms, VIP lounges, and food areas. LED screens, audio, and lighting systems will meet international broadcast standards.
Vietnam’s largest stadium will not include an athletics track, similar to Hoa Xuan Stadium (Da Nang) and Pleiku Stadium (Gia Lai), allowing stands to be closer to the pitch for a more immersive fan experience. Additionally, a 180,000-square-meter parking area will accommodate tens of thousands of spectators simultaneously.
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