The National Exhibition and Convention Center project is shaping up to be one of the largest exhibition centers in the world. It will serve as a hub for regional and global trade events and exhibitions, similar to the Dubai Expo, Frankfurt Messe in Germany, and Fiera Milano in Italy. This project provides an excellent platform for domestic and foreign businesses to connect, promote, and facilitate trade.
After an impressive nine months of construction, the center is taking form, with most of its basic components now complete. Once operational, this national key project will be a highlight of Vietnam’s 80th National Day celebrations in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the country.
The National Exhibition and Convention Center project is taking shape. Photo: GH
Mr. Cormac Rabl, the project’s Operations and Implementation Director, shared that this will be the largest exhibition center in Vietnam and one of the biggest in the world. He added that the design was inspired by the Kim Quy Turtle, a symbol of wisdom and longevity in Vietnamese culture. The unique feature of this center is its 56-meter-high dome, which creates a column-free space, making it very dynamic and impressive.
Mr. Rabl explained that the column-free design and high dome will make the interior space appear more expansive and grand. This distinctive feature will undoubtedly make the center one of the most remarkable exhibition venues globally.
“For a complex project like the National Exhibition and Convention Center, I believe that the biggest challenge is managing the various stakeholders. VEFAC and Vingroup have successfully integrated their efforts, effectively overcoming this significant challenge,” shared Mr. Rabl.
Mr. Cormac Rabl, Operations and Implementation Director of the National Exhibition and Convention Center project. Photo: HR
The center is divided into two distinct areas: indoor and outdoor. The indoor area comprises nine smaller halls, covering over 120,000 square meters. Each hall is equipped with a technical block, including a complex of offices, food and beverage storage, and logistics facilities, all essential for the efficient operation of the exhibition halls. Meanwhile, the outdoor exhibition space spans an impressive 200,000 square meters, setting the stage for the center to become a world-class destination for exhibitions and events. The project also incorporates green energy solutions, including smart energy and outdoor natural ecosystems, as part of its sustainable development goals.
“Once operational, this exhibition center will be capable of hosting world-class events and exhibitions, putting Vietnam on the global map for event organization. Construction began in August 2024, and we have already utilized 24,000 tons of steel (a record-breaking amount) to create the 56-meter-high steel structure. We are ahead of schedule, as the initial plan was for a two-year construction period, but we are now looking at a total of 10.5 months,” shared Mr. Rabl.
To date, the project has utilized 24,000 tons of steel for the 56-meter-high steel structure. Photo: GH
The Operations and Implementation Director expressed: “We understand the significance of this project for Vietnam, especially with the upcoming 80th National Day celebrations. We are proud to be a part of this critical moment in the country’s history. This project is a symbol of modern Vietnam.“
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Ms. Ly Hoa Lien, Deputy General Director of VEFAC, shared updates on the project’s progress. Photo: HR
Ms. Ly Hoa Lien, Deputy General Director of VEFAC, provided an update on the project’s progress: ” Basically, as of now, the project’s basic items are 80-90% complete. According to our plan, we will hand over the technical aspects by June 30. Subsequently, in August, we will proceed with the installation of the necessary functions. The National Exhibition and Convention Center will be inaugurated on August 19.”
According to the Deputy General Director, there were three significant challenges in constructing the National Exhibition and Convention Center project. Firstly, the design required the team to study and learn from other countries and then adapt the design to suit the construction conditions in Vietnam. Secondly, arranging the substantial funding required for such a large-scale project was a hurdle. Lastly, the tight deadline posed a significant challenge.
“We are working towards completing the project in time for Vietnam’s most massive exhibition ever, scheduled for September 2. Our engineers and workers are highly dedicated and are working tirelessly in three shifts, seven days a week, to ensure we meet this deadline and even surpass it,” shared Ms. Lien.
This project stands out in several ways. Firstly, the design is symbolic, inspired by the Kim Quy Turtle, a legendary figure in Hanoi and Vietnam’s history. This iconic shape will be visible even from an airplane. Secondly, the center’s functionality is exceptional, with over 100,000 square meters capable of accommodating a diverse range of events, including exhibitions, trade shows, cultural and artistic performances, sports events, and political gatherings. This level of versatility is unprecedented in Vietnam. The center can accommodate up to 5,000 booths indoors.
“We can install a stage indoors to facilitate various performances, art exhibitions, book fairs, and showcase traditional crafts. We plan to set up a stage at the main pillar of the building and a large outdoor stage for musical performances that can attract hundreds of thousands of attendees,” Ms. Lien added.
The National Exhibition and Convention Center is inspired by the image of the Kim Quy Turtle from the legend of the construction of Co Loa Citadel. Photo: MH
Indoors, the center boasts a main lobby and eight exhibition halls covering approximately 10,000 square meters, along with a round exhibition area. Additionally, there are four outdoor exhibition spaces totaling 200,000 square meters. The center also includes a permanent exhibition hall (five stories) spanning 16,000 square meters. A conference and banquet center (two stories) with 12,000 square meters of floor space further enhances the facility.
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Nearly 3,000 engineers and workers are working tirelessly in three shifts a day, seven days a week, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center site. Photo: GH
Notably, nearly 3,000 engineers and workers are dedicated to this project , working continuously in three shifts a day, seven days a week. This dedicated team lives and works on-site, facing the challenge of maintaining a rapid construction pace while ensuring technical precision.
To ensure both timely delivery and high quality, Ms. Lien shared: “We have implemented a lean, efficient, and united management approach, all working towards the country’s grand celebration. Our team on the ground is fully committed to this goal.”
Perspective of the National Exhibition and Convention Center project. Photo: DV TK
The National Exhibition and Convention Center is located in Dong Hoi and Xuan Canh communes, Dong Anh district, Hanoi, with a total investment of over VND 7,000 billion. Spread across 90 hectares, the center’s highlight is the indoor exhibition complex shaped like the Kim Quy Turtle, divided into nine sub-areas. These include four outdoor exhibition parks, two indoor exhibition buildings, a conference and banquet center, an A-class office tower, and a five-star hotel. Additionally, the 20-hectare outdoor exhibition area can accommodate large-scale events and exhibitions of super-large and super-heavy products.
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