Vietnam Will Build The Largest Stadium In The World Called Trong Dong With A Capacity Of Over 130,000 People

The construction of what will be the world's largest stadium in terms of spectator capacity has begun, aiming to become a new landmark in the region.

Vietnam will become the country with the largest stadium in the world. The new stadium, which is currently under construction, will be able to accommodate 135,000 people, surpassing North Korea's Rungrado, which is currently the largest stadium in the world, by five thousand seats.

The world's largest new stadium is expected to be completed by 2028, which is the tentative inauguration date. The new stadium will be called Trong Dong and will feature a retractable roof, allowing it to host not only sports events but also community and artistic activities throughout the year.

This stadium is also seen as Vietnam's opportunity to become a new host for high-performance international events, whether by FIFA, AFC, or the Olympic Council, as it is being built to become a regional benchmark and meets all the strict standards that these organizations require for stadiums to host their events.

At this moment, the top 3 largest stadiums in the world are the Rungrado in North Korea with a capacity of 130,000 spectators, followed by the Grand Stade Hassan II in Morocco, which is vying to host the 2030 World Cup and can accommodate 120,000 people, and finally, the Michigan Stadium with a capacity of approximately 107,000 people.

by Juan Cruz Lara Pérez

Tennessee Tourism Celebrates Designation Of Two New Sites Along The U.S. Civil Rights Trail

Jefferson Street Sound Museum and the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music are officially designated as sites along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) announced.

“Tennessee is proud to be home to 17 sites along the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. From Memphis to Nashville to Clinton, visitors can learn about the brave men and women who fought for their Civil Rights,” said Commissioner Mark Ezell, TDTD and Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail Marketing Alliance. “These destinations shine a light on the triumphant and impactful stories at historic places across the state that shaped our nation's history.”

Located in the heart of historic Jefferson Street, Jefferson Street Sound Museum showcases how music, culture and activism intersected. During the 1940s-1970s, Jefferson Street stood as a vibrant hub - home to clubs, studios and venues where artists like Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, Ray Charles, James Brown, Tina Turner, Little Richard and countless others performed. Jefferson Street and its artists played a central role in shaping both Nashville's musical legacy and the Civil Rights Movement. Today as a museum, it offers both musical and educational programming that celebrates the R&B sounds that once flourished in Nashville, along with a fully functioning music studio.

The Museum of Christian & Gospel Music looks at the powerful role the genre and its musicians played as the sound served as a source of hope, unity and inspiration during the fight for Civil Rights. Visitors can experience state-of-the-art exhibits that celebrate today's artists, honor the trailblazers of the past, and inspire future generations. Through interactive displays and personal artifacts, visitors can explore how gospel music sustained faith-based communities and how pivotal artists set the stage and contributed to the Civil Rights Era and beyond, whose courageous voices created life-changing music.

Both museums join Nashville's Civil Rights' legacy with destinations like the National Museum of African American Music and the Civil Rights Room at Nashville Public Library, among others. Additional locations statewide include the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, which opens a new Legacy Building this spring, and Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton.

Four additional historic sites were also added along the national U.S. Civil Rights Trail, including the Historic Caroline County Courthouse Campus in Bowling Green, Virginia; Gloucester Museum of History in Gloucester, Virginia; Texas & Pacific Railway Depot in Natchitoches, Louisiana and Jacksonville Civil Rights Trail in Jacksonville, Florida.

ABOUT THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL

Launched in 2018, the U.S. Civil Rights Trail is a collection of more than 130 churches, courthouses, schools, museums and other landmarks primarily in the Southern states where activists challenged segregation in the 1950s and 1960s to advance social justice. The people, locations and destinations included in the Civil Rights Trail provide a way for families, travelers and educators to experience history firsthand. For details about the sites and stories from Civil Rights pioneers, visit CivilRightsTrail.com

Shanghai Launches "Spring Festival Gift Packs" With Discounts And Cultural Experiences For The Chinese Lunar New Year

As the Year of the Horse approaches, Shanghai is rolling out a series of "Spring Festival Gift Packs" designed to make it easier and more enjoyable for residents and visitors to experience the city during the holiday period. The initiative, led by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, features discounted tickets, themed activities, and cultural offerings across 60 popular city attractions.

The gift packs are part of Shanghai's broader push to boost festive tourism and encourage people to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year in the city. By combining discounted admission, zodiac-themed promotions, and integrated tour packages, the program seeks to provide a wide range of affordable options tailored to different visitor groups.

Highlights of the Spring Festival Gift Packs include:

Attraction Discounts : Participating scenic spots are offering tickets at up to 50% off, along with special promotions based on the Chinese zodiac and combo passes, making sightseeing more affordable for families, tourists, and locals alike.

Cultural & Festive Activities : The discounts are complemented by a rich lineup of supporting events, including intangible cultural heritage performances, interactive pet-themed activities for the Chinese Lunar New Year, traditional market fairs, and bazaars featuring China-chic trends -- all crafted to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Integrated Experience Packages : Many venues are bundling accommodation with entry tickets or themed tours, creating convenient and cost-effective ways to explore Shanghai during the holiday period.

Themed Tourism Products : Travel agencies and hotels have curated itineraries with a "Spring Festival vibe" and activities for "Spring Celebration" that cover family-friendly, cultural, and rural leisure experiences, providing multiple options for holiday outings.

The gift packs initiative aligns with the ongoing "Discover Shanghai" Tourism Guide Super Competition, which has inspired practical and innovative tour recommendations now being developed into actual tourism products. The competition's winning guides are expected to be widely used by visitors during the Spring Festival.

Industry observers note that Shanghai continues to strengthen its appeal as a winter destination by combining affordability with cultural depth. The Spring Festival Gift Packs not only make travel more economical but also immerse visitors in the local customs and vibrant spirit of Shanghai during the most important traditional holiday in China.

The offers will be available throughout the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday period, with detailed information accessible through official tourism platforms such as "Hu Xiaoyou" and Trip.com. Through this Spring Festival Gift Packs Initiative, Shanghai demonstrates its commitment to creating a welcoming, dynamic, and visitor-friendly holiday environment, inviting everyone to enjoy a memorable and affordable Chinese Lunar New Year in the city.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism

Travelore News: Disneyland Removes Iconic Statue Of Walt Disney And Mickey Mouse

Disneyland has been making a lot of changes recently. With scheduled refurbishments, ride closures, and park updates, things are always evolving. Now, it seems like another change is underway. Disneyland recently removed the iconic statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse from their theme park.

Disneyland Removes Iconic Statue

Inside The Magic shared that the iconic bronze statue was removed from Disneyland earlier this week. The statue is titled "Partners," and it features the iconic Walt Disney and his infamous creation, Mickey Mouse.

The statue is a Disney staple, and the outlet shared that it can be spotted at Disneyland Park, Magic Kingdom Park, Tokyo Disneyland, Walt Disney Studios Park, and the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.

Disneyland California Park got their own version of the statue in 2012. Their statue was titled "Storytellers." The outlet shared that "the statue depicts Walt as he arrived in California from Missouri in 1923, with Mickey Mouse standing by his side on a trunk."

However, this week, when guests entered the park, they noticed that the famous Disneyland statue was no longer visible. Instead, beige-colored construction walls surrounded the statue's location.

Currently, Disneyland has not shared any details regarding the closing of this beloved statue. However, the outlet did share that bronze naturally oxidizes. Therefore, it could be safe to assume that the statue just needs some in-depth maintenance and cleaning.

With no "re-opening" day listed by Disney, guests can only hope and assume that the statue will be cared for and visible again soon. In addition to this statue, Disneyland has also shut down various other attractions for maintenance.

For example, their monorail system is currently down for refurbishment. Additionally, the beloved and infamous Jungle Cruise ride is getting a facelift as well. Although limited details have been provided on all of the closures. This leaves Disney fans wondering if there are just some minor mechanical updates or if they will notice any changes to rides and attractions once they reopen.

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/voices/stephanie-heath/