My Dinh Stadium is highly unlikely to host the Vietnam vs Malaysia match

The Vietnam national team is expected to be unable to host Malaysia at My Dinh Stadium in the last match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying round.

According to the latest information, a music concert is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2026, at My Dinh National Stadium (Hanoi). The concert date is less than three weeks before the crucial match between Vietnam and Malaysia on March 31, 2026, as part of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Due to the extensive time required for stage setup, dismantling, and pitch restoration, there is serious doubt about My Dinh’s readiness to host this international match.

In fact, this is not the first time the Vietnam national team faces the risk of losing their “home ground” My Dinh due to non-football events. Over the years, the national stadium has frequently been used for large-scale music shows, causing significant disruptions to the schedules of national teams and clubs.

Notably, in this context, My Dinh Stadium is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovationwhich is considered the biggest upgrade since SEA Games 31. Since early September 2025, the old turf has been completely removed, and the ground has been treated to ensure stability, drainage capacity, and long-lasting durability. The plan includes replanting the entire field with Zeon Zoysia grass, a premium variety widely used in leading European stadiums. At the same time, the automatic irrigation and turf maintenance systems are being upgraded accordingly.

If the renovation progresses smoothly, My Dinh could fully return to hosting international matches in 2026. However, the music concert scheduled for mid-March 2026 makes it highly unlikely that the stadium will be ready in time for the match against Malaysia.

In the event that My Dinh cannot be used, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) must consider alternative venues. Several stadiums qualified to host international matches have been mentioned, including Lach Tray Stadium (Hai Phong), Thien Truong Stadium (Nam Dinh), Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho), and Binh Duong Stadium.

Among these, Viet Tri Stadium is emerging as a symbolic and promising option for the Vietnam national team. Statistics show that all levels of Vietnam’s men's football teams remain unbeaten when playing at Viet Tri. It is also the place where Nguyen Xuan Son achieved important milestones such as his first match, first goal, and first assist for the national team.