Who Truly Stands Behind Vietnam Exhibition Center’s ‘Century Steel Dome’?

The Names Behind a Historic Landmark

The “National Achievements Exhibition: 80 Years of Independence, Freedom, and Happiness” concluded nearly a month ago, but its impact on Hanoi residents and tourists remains unforgettable. Among its highlights, the Kim Quy Exhibition Center has become a must-visit check-in spot for millions. Behind this iconic structure lies a story of “Vietnamese Spirit and Intelligence.”

With a diameter of 360 meters and a height of 56 meters, the Kim Quy Exhibition Center—the heart of the complex—is the world’s largest circular exhibition hall. Its awe-inspiring steel dome, constructed from 24,000 tons of steel, leaves viewers spellbound. Remarkably, this colossal steel structure was completed in just five months.

This marvel was crafted by the ingenuity of Vietnamese enterprises. Four industry giants collaborated: Vingroup, Vietnam’s leading investor, and three top steel structure firms—Dai Dung, QH Plus, and ATAD.

For Trinh Tien Dung, Chairman and CEO of Dai Dung, which handled 60% of the 24,000 tons of steel, this project was “exceptional.” Even for a company with over 30 years of experience, a five-month timeline pushed the limits of mechanical construction.

Do Duc Trung, Sales Director at ATAD, which managed 20% of the dome’s steel, described the timeline as “terrifying.” Yet, knowing it was a national project for the 80th National Day (September 2, 2025), he understood: “Five months was a steel mandate.”

Sharing the “historic mission” with 20% of the steel volume, QH Plus prioritized this project above its nearly 20 ongoing domestic and international ventures.

“Participating in a nationally symbolic project is a rare honor. It drove our team to work tirelessly, even through holidays and Tet,” shared Nguyen Hoang Huan, CEO of QH Plus.

With complex technical requirements and a tight schedule, the unprecedented project allowed no margin for error—only millimeter precision. Strict oversight from the investor saw supervisors dispatched to factories nationwide to ensure quality.

Nearly all heavy machinery in Northern Vietnam, including 350–500-ton cranes, was mobilized to Co Loa. At peak times, 3,000 workers and engineers were on-site. This effort culminated in a “miracle”: the project was completed in just 10 months, compared to the global record of 36 months for similar structures.

“I’m amazed and proud of what Vietnamese people have achieved with this miraculous project,” remarked Prof. Dang Hung Vo, former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Vision and Resilience of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs

Before the iconic Vietnam Exhibition Center, Dai Dung, QH Plus, and ATAD had already showcased Vietnamese excellence globally with record-breaking projects.

QH Plus engineered the steel structure for Vietnam’s pride, Landmark 81, and contributed to the VinFast Hai Phong factory.

ATAD has completed over 4,000 steel projects in 60+ countries, including 30,000 tons of steel for VinFast Hai Phong.

Dai Dung supplied steel for two Qatar World Cup 2022 stadiums: Lusail (80,000 seats) and Ras Abu (40,000 seats).

These three firms exemplify Vietnam’s new industrial enterprises—not just manufacturers, but masters of technology and international standards.

Uniting these talents required a visionary “conductor,” and at Co Loa, Vingroup played this historic role.

Do Duc Trung praised Vingroup as a “rare, meticulous, and scientific conductor.” Nguyen Hoang Huan likened Vingroup’s project management to a “control center for a giant machine.”

Vingroup’s professionalism in planning, resource allocation, and unwavering commitment created a series of triumphs: Landmark 81 became a global icon in three years; VinFast was completed in 21 months, placing Vietnam on the global auto industry map; and the Vietnam Exhibition Center was built in just 10 months.

“Vingroup possesses advantages few investors have,” concluded Huan, reflecting on years of collaboration with Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate.

Upon completion, the Vietnam Exhibition Center’s majestic silhouette by the Red River quickly went viral on social media. Dubbed the “Century Dome” and “Steel Wonder of Vietnam,” it symbolizes more than architectural excellence—it embodies the vision, intelligence, and resilience of Vietnamese entrepreneurs who dare to dream big and turn the impossible into reality.