South Korean media predicts a special role for coach Kim Sang Sik at the world's largest stadium

Korean press (Chosun) states that the Trống Đồng stadium project is not only a major infrastructure leap for Vietnam but could also be linked to the mark of a Korean coach in the first match held there.

According to the article, the remarkable progress of the Vietnam national team is closely tied to the influence of Korean strategists. Chosun quotes: “Under the leadership of coaches Park Hang-seo and Kim Sang-sik, the rapidly strengthening Vietnam national team will build the world's largest dedicated football stadium.

The Trống Đồng stadium, expected to be completed by August 2028 in the southern suburbs of Hanoi, will have a capacity of 135,000 seats, nearly double that of Manchester United's Old Trafford (74,310 seats) in the Premier League.”

The Trống Đồng project is part of the overall “Olympic Sports City,” a mega project approved by the Vietnamese government since last December. With a total investment reaching 925 trillion VND, this complex covers more than 91 km² and is expected to become a modern sports-urban center serving about 750,000 residents, scheduled for completion by 2035.

Chosun also emphasizes the strategic significance of this project for Vietnamese football. The article cites: “The project aims to transform the Trống Đồng stadium into a national architectural and cultural symbol, similar to Wembley (UK), the Bird’s Nest (China), or Lusail (Qatar), landmarks that enhance the international stature and reputation of their host countries.”

In terms of scale, Trống Đồng will surpass the current giants in the global stadium arena. “Regarding capacity, Trống Đồng will exceed North Korea’s May 1st (Rungrado) Stadium (114,000 seats) and Morocco’s Hassan II Stadium (115,000 seats), which is planned to host the 2030 World Cup, becoming the world’s largest stadium. This facility is expected to elevate Vietnam’s sports infrastructure, laying the foundation for bids to host the World Cup, Olympics, and Asian Games in the future.”

In this context, Chosun raises an intriguing question: could a Korean coach be the first to lead the Vietnam national team in a match at this stadium?

The article mentions the current status of coach Kim Sang-sik, who has helped Vietnam achieve many positive results recently.“Coach Kim Sang-sik, who automatically extended his contract until February 2027 due to consecutive wins and achieving set goals, will become the first coach to lead an A-match at Trống Đồng stadium if he remains in position after 2028.”

If this scenario comes true, it will be a significant milestone not only for coach Kim Sang-sik personally but also for Vietnamese football, symbolizing a connection between on-field success and a landmark advancement in infrastructure.