Vietnam Exhibition Center: Golden Turtle Symbol, Reaching International Level

(Chinhphu.vn) - Completed in just 10 months, 15 months ahead of schedule, the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) has made its mark as a construction miracle. With its unique Kim Quy dome and scale in the Top 10 of the world, VEC is not only a symbolic project of the exhibition industry, but also demonstrates the aspiration to strongly integrate Vietnam, becoming an international destination.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh inspect the construction progress of the Vietnam Exhibition Center in Dong Anh, Hanoi , May 2025 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Mr. Tran Le Phuong, Chairman of Vietnam Exhibition Fair Center Joint Stock Company, shared with the Government E-newspaper about the unique Kim Quy dome design, modern infrastructure and green - digital - sustainable operation orientation so that VEC can be both an architectural highlight and demonstrate Vietnam's aspiration for international integration.

- Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) is considered the project with the fastest construction speed, shortened to 10 months instead of 2 years, creating a miracle for the domestic construction industry and highly appreciated by the Prime Minister . Can VEC share the construction process and efforts to achieve this record progress?

Mr. Tran Le Phuong: Inaugurated on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and National Day September 2, the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) was completed after only 10 months of construction, becoming the largest exhibition complex in Southeast Asia, Top 10 in the world.

The Vietnam Exhibition Center project has a special symbolic design - the image of the Golden Turtle God associated with the land of Co Loa. Right from the preparation stage, we have carefully researched the construction plan and undergone a rigorous review process to ensure absolute safety and efficiency criteria.

In particular, the steel structure system is designed to ensure load bearing capacity with a safety factor twice the standard. The steel structure system has a large span, the radial steel trusses span from 40-60m, especially the R140 Ringbeam area spans over 100m and the central area has a height of up to 56m.

Along with that, more than 90% of the steel structure connections at the construction site are bolted connections with the highest strength in the Vietnamese market today. With the cutting tightening method to strictly control the quality of bolt tightening and speed up the construction speed. The large crane system mobilized to serve the construction has a load capacity of 300-500 tons, carefully checked and calculated when moving, lifting, and installing each component.

In addition, human resources and equipment were mobilized on an unprecedented scale. Right from the beginning, the number of engineers and workers reached 500 people, peaking at about 3,000 people. Along with that, 800 - 1,000 machines and equipment were mobilized from many localities, deployed continuously in 3 shifts per day. Special equipment such as large-capacity cranes from 300 - 500 tons, super-heavy vehicles were mobilized from all over the country to the project.

With careful preparation, methodical construction organization and high determination, the project has shortened the construction time to only nearly 10 months - 15 months earlier than planned to be put into operation in time to celebrate the important event: The 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution and the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025). This is the result demonstrating the outstanding efforts of the entire team.

The Vietnam Exhibition Center has a special symbolic design - the image of the Golden Turtle God associated with the land of Co Loa - Photo: VEC

- With the largest scale in Vietnam, what impressive figures does VEC possess in terms of area, capacity and infrastructure serving the Exhibition?

Mr. Tran Le Phuong: Vietnam Exhibition Center has a total area of ​​over 900,000 m2, positioned to become the largest exhibition center complex in Southeast Asia and in the Top 10 largest exhibition complexes in the world.

The heart of the complex is the Kim Quy exhibition building - an iconic structure with an area of ​​approximately 130,000 m2, including 9 halls and 1 large central hall, an ideal space to organize thematic exhibitions and large-scale events, with a diverse hall system and an optimized area for a variety of display types.

The exhibition ecosystem also includes a permanent exhibition center (block A); 4 outdoor exhibition yards (East - West - South - North); the largest international-class Conference Center in Vietnam - VinPalace Co Loa with a scale of 16,800 m² including 09 conference rooms, 07 large banquet rooms and 01 banquet room. In addition, there are exhibition support areas such as green parks and regulating lakes; a food court of more than 3,000 m²; a parking lot of more than 18 hectares, with a capacity of more than 10,000 seats...

Ideal space to organize thematic exhibitions and large-scale events - Photo: VEC

- Vietnam Exhibition Center stands out with the Kim Quy dome, the architectural design of the Center is considered unique, associated with history and national traditions, VEC, please tell us the messages from this design idea?

Mr. Tran Le Phuong: We focus on the "Vietnamese quality" factor, hence the center's location in Co Loa - a sacred land associated with the legend of the Golden Turtle God.

And from that story, we created the Kim Quy Exhibition House. The main hall roof in blue and yellow represents the head, the 8 secondary roofs represent the feet, creating a balanced and harmonious architectural whole. The project not only has architectural value but also carries the aspiration of Vietnam to rise in the new era. This is the distinctive mark, creating a unique value for the center.

Through the image of the Kim Quy dome, VEC wants to convey a message of national pride and the desire to reach international standards. This is both a tribute to history and a symbol of a Vietnam that is innovative, creative and integrated with the world.

The exhibition of national achievements with the theme: "80 years of journey of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" is taking place at the Vietnam Exhibition Center - Photo: VEC

- In the first year of operation, what mark does VEC expect to make to affirm its position as a national project, reaching out to the international community?

Mr. Tran Le Phuong: In the first year of operation, the Vietnam Exhibition Center aims to attract major international exhibitions to Vietnam, while accompanying domestic exhibitors to elevate Vietnamese brands and affirm its position on the regional and world map.

At the same time, we also aim to build and develop new international exhibition brands right in Vietnam, thereby realizing the mission of connecting Vietnam with the world and bringing the world closer to Vietnam.

- During operation, how does VEC plan to apply digital technology solutions, green energy, and sustainable management models to meet international standards?

Mr. Tran Le Phuong: During operation, VEC will prioritize the application of digital technology and green energy solutions to meet international standards as well as sustainable development trends.

Specifically, the largest electric vehicle charging station in Vietnam has just officially opened and put into operation at the Vietnam Exhibition Center with nearly 1,200 charging ports, including 194 car charging ports and 1,000 electric motorbike charging ports. Notably, most of the car charging ports are fast charging, including 80 60 kW charging guns, 36 120 kW charging guns and 6 300 kW super fast charging guns - allowing to meet the need for high-speed charging in a short time.

In parallel, 72 20 kW charging guns are also arranged to provide diverse and flexible choices for users. For electric motorbikes, in addition to the system of nearly 1,000 specialized charging ports, V-Green also integrates more than 70 electric motorbike charging sockets right on the car charging posts, helping to optimize space and enhance the convenient experience for customers.

In addition, we are also in the process of researching the integration of BESS solutions with rooftop solar power systems, contributing to the storage and efficient use of renewable energy sources with VinEnergo - the pioneer in deploying the first large-scale BESS solution cluster in Vietnam.

In parallel, a dedicated parking system for electric buses and SM Green taxis has been arranged, contributing to the completion of green transport infrastructure. All are implemented synchronously according to the sustainable development strategy of Vingroup Corporation.

Gia Huy (performed)

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/trung-tam-trien-lam-viet-nam-bieu-tuong-kim-quy-vuon-tam-quoc-te-102250910150650674.htm