15/10/2021
Ho Chi Minh City and its new iconic buildings
The city has grown into a modern metropolis with countless high-rise buildings with unique and creative architecture. From our recommendations, let’s go and discover a few emerging places that the locals know, and most interestingly learn the fascinating stories surrounding them.
Bitexco Financial Tower
The 68-storey tower with a height of 262m is located at the contiguous position of three roads Hai Trieu, Ngo Duc Ke and Ho Tung Mau, adjacent to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. The design of the tower's soft curves was from architect Carlos Zapata, inspired by the shape of a lotus bud, the national flower of Vietnam. The inauguration ceremony of the tower took place at the end of 2010 and was the tallest tower in Vietnam until the 336m-high Keangnam Landmark tower in Hanoi capital broke the record in 2011. Up to now, the tower has always been considered by the government and local people as a modern and dynamic symbol of the city in the early 21st century. At night, the top of the tower lights up splendidly like a lighthouse in the heart of the city. The highlight of the tower is the "suspended" helipad on the 52nd floor like a blooming lotus bud, which took more than a year to complete. On the 49th floor, there is a 168m high Saigon Skydeck with a binocular system that allows you to meticulously observe all corners of the city, especially when the city lights up at night.
Address: No. 02, Hai Trieu Street, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
The Landmark 81
The 81-storey tower with a height of 461.3m, is located in the center of Vinhomes Central Park Tan Cang urban area, next to the Saigon River. In 2018, the tower was inaugurated after 1000 days of construction and holds the record as the tallest building in Vietnam so far. Atkins is the design unit of the tower, inspired by the image of a traditional bamboo bundle. There are a total of 36 architectural blocks clustered together in a 6x6 matrix, the taller blocks will be placed in the center similar to the design of the Willis tower in Chicago. The Skyview Observatory inside Landmark 81 is located at a height of 383m, occupying the top 3 floors of the tower from 79 to 81, giving you an endless view of the city below. The dynamic new urban areas in the east and south from Thu Thiem to Phu My Hung are clearly visible from the Skyview Observatory. The Landmark 81 tower is currently the leading entertainment and resort paradise in Vietnam, a stopover for the elite with a combination of many impressive record-keeping items. You can enjoy shopping and entertainment at Vincom Center, which has the largest Imax cinema in Vietnam, the largest skating rink in Vietnam and the largest Adidas brand showroom in Vietnam. At the same time, you will enjoy a luxurious stay at the luxury hotel on floors 47 to 77, which is known as the most expensive in the Vinpearl hotel system.
Address: No. 720A, Dien Bien Phu Street, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District.
Vietcombank Tower
The 35-storey tower with a height of 205m was designed by the famous American architect Ceasar Pelli, who is also the designer of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Hong Kong Financial Tower. Vietcombank Tower was inaugurated in 2015, so far holds the 3rd highest position in the city, after The Landmark 81 and Bitexco Financial Tower.
The tower is a complex of luxury office space in the center of the city, facing the Thu Thiem new urban area across the Saigon River. Although not for sightseeing, Vietcombank Tower along with The Landmark 81 and Bitexco Financial Tower and other buildings in the city center are inspiration that many photographers exploit in their journey to find the impressive and unique beauty of the dynamic and prosperous Ho Chi Minh City.
Address: No. 05, Me Linh Square, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1.
Saigon River Tunnel
The Saigon River Tunnel (Thu Thiem Tunnel) is a special and first traffic work in Southeast Asia inaugurated in 2011. With a tunnel design of nearly 1500m long for all 6 lanes of traffic from District 1 to Thu Thiem new urban area. Inside the "work of the century" located 30m deep on the bottom of the Saigon River is installed ventilation, lighting, etc equipment to measure air pollution and a smart and modern vehicle counting system.
Above the roof of Thu Thiem tunnel in District 2 is a place that attracts many locals, especially young people and photographers who come to enjoy the wind and admire the hot and stuffy days of the city, ready to take artistic photos or check-in. The most beautiful time of the day for you to come here is early in the morning with warm sunshine or sunset gradually falling, the red sun gradually disappears behind the buildings on the other side of the river. In the evening, when the cool breeze from the river bed blows in, the shimmering sails of large cruise ships are visible. Across the river in District 1, there are high-rise buildings, the streets are full of colorful lights, and the traffic is busy. You can sit and enjoy a glass of cool beverage, slowly take pictures and admire the magnificent city scenery in the distance, which is also a great experience in Saigon at night.
Address: Mai Chi Tho Street, Thu Thiem Ward, District 2.
Starlight Bridge and Crescent Lake
Crescent Lake Park and Starlight Bridge are located in the center of Phu My Hung urban area, District 7. The entire landscape and art decoration here are inspired by water, bringing poetic beauty and sparkling in the night. Along the banks of Crescent Lake, the curved shape like a crescent moon is winding roads alternating with green grass, overlooking the middle of the lake is a small oasis luxuriant with green trees. Follow the long, narrow path that will lead you to the Starlight Bridge, which crosses Thay Tieu canal and connects to Crescent Lake. On the bridge, there are hundreds of lights, large and small, like distant stars twinkling in the sky. On the side of the bridge, a beautiful multi-colored light strip is displayed along with an artistic water spray like a waterfall in the mountains upstream. This place is an ideal place for couples to date, friends to gather to sing or family to walk and enjoy the scenery. At any time of the day, Crescent Lake and Starlight Bridge both have their own beauty and distinct nuances. On weekends, under the warm yellow light, you can come and join the busy flow of people walking, singing and taking pictures. Along the lakeside, there are cafes, fresh flower shops, luxury restaurants, beer bars and even convenience stores to meet all your needs when you come here.
Address: Phu My Hung Urban Area, Tan Phu Ward, District 7.
