Long An Stadium faces uncertain future as auction halted

The People's Committee of Tay Ninh province has halted the planned auction of the Long An Stadium, a prominent site located in the heart of Tan An city. This decision comes after years of the stadium remaining underutilized and falling into a state of disrepair.

Constructed in 1984 with a capacity for 20,000 spectators, the stadium complex also included auxiliary facilities like a training field, a multi-purpose gymnasium, a volleyball court, and a swimming pool, covering nearly 75,000 square meters. However, in recent years, the venue has hosted very few sporting events, and major matches have been virtually absent.

Currently, only Stand A is usable, with a maximum capacity of 3,000 spectators. Many areas of the stadium are dilapidated, with the pitch showing signs of wear and tear, and numerous cracks in the stands. Stand B, in particular, has warning signs indicating dangerous areas prone to collapse.

Adding to the neglect, the stadium grounds have become a hub for informal businesses, including cafes, operating without any planning and encroaching on pathways, reducing the available space for training. This prime public land in the city center has failed to serve the community's basic needs.

The provincial authorities had initially decided to sell the assets and transfer land use rights in 2018, aiming to fund a new sports center. However, the process was stalled due to difficulties in determining the reserve price and the lack of a detailed land-use plan. Despite a provincial resolution in August 2023 to auction the site, with an expected revenue of over 1,822 billion VND, the auction never took place. The decision to halt the auction was reinforced by a government inspection report in June 2026, which found the auction plan to be non-compliant. The provincial authorities have now decided to explore a comprehensive management and usage plan for the area, aligning it with the city's urban development goals to create a better living environment for residents.