A Glimpse Into the Largest Exhibition Complex in Southeast Asia, Just Northeast of the Capital

The center attracted 25,000 visitors each night during the two music events, “V Concert – Radiant Vietnam” and “V Fest – Glorious Youth,” and is expected to draw millions of domestic and international tourists for the upcoming blockbuster event series.

A World-Class Expo City Takes Shape

Even from its conceptualization and preliminary sketches, the Vietnam Exhibition Center was envisioned as a key project, forming a modern economic, cultural, sports, and tourism complex. The project contributes to the formation of a symbolic “exhibition city” in the capital and serves as an ideal destination for international-level events and a hub for business exchanges, trade promotions, and connections between domestic and international enterprises.

The complex is confirmed to be the largest exhibition center in Southeast Asia and among the Top 10 in the world.

After nearly ten months of construction and a total investment of over VND 7,000 billion, the exhibition complex has taken shape on Tu Lien Bridge Road (Dong Anh, Hanoi), setting a record as the largest exhibition center in Southeast Asia and among the Top 10 worldwide.

A unique aspect of the Vietnam Exhibition Center is its embodiment of Vietnamese culture and heritage. Located in Co Loa, a sacred site associated with the legend of Kim Quy, it evokes the nation’s proud history. The centerpiece is a circular exhibition hall, the largest of its kind in the world, spanning over 104,000 sqm and resembling the shape of Kim Quy, one of the four sacred animals in Eastern culture.

The Crossbow Park at the Vietnam Exhibition Center commemorates the nation’s heroic history.

The complex features nine interconnected grand halls ranging from 9,419 sqm to 10,478 sqm in area. With a floor load capacity of 5 tons/sqm, this area can accommodate industrial exhibitions and display large equipment and machinery.

In addition to the main Kim Quy exhibition hall, the complex impresses with four outdoor exhibition areas spanning over 200,000 sqm, ranking it among the top three worldwide in terms of scale. These areas are designed for large-scale events, festivals, and super-heavyweight exhibitions. The North Square, with an area of 46,199 sqm, can accommodate 50,000 people and is equipped with the necessary infrastructure to host world-class concerts. Similarly, the South Square covers 45,704 sqm, the West Square spans 43,251 sqm, and the East Square exceeds 41,531 sqm, making them ideal venues for grand-scale events.

Image of Exhibition Block A

The Vietnam Exhibition Center also includes specialized functional areas, such as the Exhibition Blocks A-B, the VinPalace Convention Center, and five separate outdoor parking lots, ensuring it can cater to a diverse range of needs and services.

A Space Worthy of Historic Celebrations Commemorating 80 Years of National Day

From August 28 to September 5, the Vietnam Exhibition Center will host an exhibition of national achievements to commemorate the 80th anniversary of National Day. For the first time, various ministries, sectors, 34 provinces, and over 200 prominent businesses will come together to present a comprehensive and emotional overview of the country’s glorious journey. It is estimated that nearly 300 units will participate in this national-level exhibition.

Previously, VEC hosted two music events, V Concert Radiant Vietnam and V Fest Glorious Youth, each attracting 25,000 attendees per night.

Preparations are now complete, and VEC is ready to welcome millions of visitors during this celebratory period. The indoor exhibition area is divided into six themes that reflect the country’s development journey: Vietnam – Land and People; 95 Years of the Party’s Flag Leading the Way; Shaping and Developing; Economic Powerhouse; Entrepreneurial Spirit; and Prosperous Provinces, Strong Country.

The outdoor exhibition is organized into four themed zones: National Festival; Aspirations for the Sky – For a Green Future; North-South Culinary Journey; and Sword and Shield, accompanied by musical events that showcase the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

A highlight of the exhibition is the array of novel experiences offered at each booth, including VR/AR interactions, reconstructed and exhibited artifacts, unique interactive programs, cultural and artistic performances, and regional specialties from the three regions of Vietnam. Each space not only showcases achievements but also narrates emotional stories, allowing visitors to grasp the transformative development Vietnam has undergone over the past eight decades.

The Kim Quy Exhibition Hall serves as the main venue for the exhibition of national achievements from August 28 to September 5.

Strategically located at the northeastern gateway, near Noi Bai International Airport, the VEC is easily accessible to domestic and international visitors via road, air, and, in the future, metro connections between Dong Anh and eastern Hanoi. Once the Tu Lien Bridge is completed, the exhibition complex will be just a five-minute drive from the Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho districts. This location also facilitates the efficient transportation of exhibition goods, stage equipment, and display materials, significantly reducing logistics costs, which is crucial for large-scale events.

Completing a Top 10 world-class exhibition center in a record time of nearly ten months reflects Vingroup’s determination to contribute an international-standard destination on par with those in Dubai (UAE), Frankfurt (Germany), and Fiera Milano (Italy), thus activating an Expo economy for the capital. The project lays the foundation for domestic and foreign enterprises to connect, promote, and facilitate trade, ultimately propelling Vietnam onto the global stage and bringing the world to Vietnam.

Looking globally, large-scale exhibitions have proven their power: Expo 2010 Shanghai attracted 73 million visitors, putting the city on the international events map. Expo 2020 Dubai contributed over $33 billion to the UAE’s economy and created tens of thousands of jobs. Similarly, Milan Expo 2015 provided a boost to tourism and significantly increased hotel and food revenues.

The new iconic destination in Hanoi is expected to attract 60 million visitors annually for entertainment, shopping, cultural and artistic experiences, and business opportunities, fostering global trade connections. These “explosions” will transform the Vietnam Exhibition Center into the “capital” of cultural, entertainment, and trade events of national and international significance.