Long An Stadium: From Sports Pride to the Risk of Becoming a Park

Long An Stadium, once a sports icon of the province, now faces the fate of being converted into a park – a sad outcome that reflects the severe deterioration of Vietnam's football infrastructure.

Hook: The alarming moment

A photo taken of Stand B of Long An Stadium in August 2026 shows a large section of wall peeling off, exposing the reinforced concrete underneath. A danger warning sign has been erected, but no one comes to repair it. This is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a long-term deterioration process that has brought this 20,000-seat stadium to the brink of irreparability.

Context: Tactical background – infrastructure

Long An Stadium was built in 2026 in Long An ward, Tan An city, formerly of Long An province. After an administrative merger, the stadium now belongs to Tay Ninh province. With a capacity of 20,000 seats and a total campus area of approximately 75,000 m², it was once one of the most modern stadiums in the Mekong Delta region. The complex includes an auxiliary field, a sports gymnasium, a volleyball training hall, and a swimming pool – a true multi-sport center.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, this stadium was a source of pride for local sports, hosting matches of Long An FC – a club that won the V-League twice (2026, 2026). But then everything changed. The club declined, the stadium received little maintenance, and major sports events gradually disappeared. Today, the stadium is only used for small local tournaments.

Core: Tactical analysis – data and facts

1. The reality of deterioration – undeniable evidence

Field surveys reveal the stadium is in a state of severe damage across multiple items: - Stand B: peeling walls, danger warning sign (IP8) - Drainage system: broken tanks, exposed steel bars (IP9) - Football field surface: peeling concrete, exposed steel structure (IP10) - Goal area: severe deterioration (IP14) - Moss covering the field surface and stands (IP12)

Although the grass is still mowed and kept fairly flat for small tournaments (IP13), this does not hide the overall infrastructure decay. The stadium no longer meets safety standards for professional matches.

2. Financial history – the failed auction

In 2026, the province planned to sell assets and transfer land use rights to fund a new sports center (IP18). In August 2026, the stadium was handed over to the Land Development Center for auction, with an expected revenue of 1,822 billion VND (IP19). However, the auction never took place.

In May 2026, the Provincial Party Committee suspended the auction plan (IP20). On June 25, the Government Inspector General concluded the auction plan was non-compliant (IP21). On August 26, the Provincial People's Committee officially revoked the auction decision (IP22).

Thus, the expected 1,822 billion VND revenue did not materialize. The stadium fell into a limbo state: not sold, not repaired, no clear direction.

3. The conversion proposal – park instead of football field

In this context, the Long An Ward People's Committee proposed converting the stadium into a green park combined with a square (IP2, IP6). This proposal is under review by Tay Ninh provincial authorities (IP7). According to the preliminary design (IP15, IP16, IP17), the park will include: - A green belt surrounding the area - Walking and jogging paths - A large square area - Other community amenities

The total campus area of 75,000 m² remains unchanged, but the professional sports function will be completely eliminated.

Contrarian: Counter-intuitive perspective – tactical blind spots

1. The absence of major events: cause or effect?

Many believe the stadium deteriorated because it no longer hosted major events. But in reality, the absence of events is both cause and effect. When the stadium failed to meet standards, organizers moved elsewhere. When there were no events, maintenance budgets were cut. This is a death spiral for sports infrastructure.

2. 1,822 billion VND evaporated – a lesson in public asset management

The expected auction revenue is not just a number. It reflects the potential value of a prime urban land plot. The auction cancellation due to non-compliance shows procedural flaws in the planning process. But the bigger question: who is responsible for 40 years of stadium neglect? No individual or organization is mentioned.

3. The park – the best solution or the easiest escape?

Converting to a park is the least legally risky option, as it avoids land commercialization. But are there other feasible options? For example, renovating part of the stadium into a youth training center combined with green space? Or keeping the auxiliary field as a training ground for local clubs? These options have not been discussed.

Takeaway: Verification and future

Long An Stadium is not an isolated case. Many other provincial stadiums in Vietnam face a similar fate: built in the 1980s-1990s, deteriorated, failing to meet V-League standards, and either abandoned or repurposed. The question is: are we systematically losing our sports heritage?

If the park proposal is approved, Long An will permanently lose a 20,000-seat stadium. This reduces the total number of usable stadiums for professional football in Vietnam, affecting the ability to host regional and national tournaments. Is there a way to balance sports heritage preservation with community green space development? The answer lies in Tay Ninh province's decision in the coming months.

Conclusion: Long An Stadium is a testament to the systematic neglect of provincial sports infrastructure. Converting it into a park may be a practical solution, but it raises questions about maintenance responsibility and long-term planning. Vietnamese football needs a clear strategy for old stadiums before it is too late.