A ground-breaking ceremony for the building was attended by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad and Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Trong Hy.

The building will be built at a total cost of US$19 million, including US$4 million in non-refundable aid and US$15 million in non-interest loan provided by Vietnam ’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group.

The building, which will consist of 1,000 rooms, is scheduled for completion in 10 months to accommodate around 4,000 athletes who will join the 25^th Southeast Asian Games.

Laos will host this event in December 2009.