21/08/2025
If bridges are the ties that connect the two banks, then skyscrapers are the strongest declaration of the Vietnamese people's desire to reach higher. From Landmark 81, Bitexco Financial Tower to the newly inaugurated Saigon Marina IFC, a series of projects have become important milestones, both affirming their architectural position and reflecting the development vision of large cities.
Landmark 81 – the flag of Vietnamese aspirations
Landmark 81 was conceived by Vingroup as an iconic project, aiming to position the image of Ho Chi Minh City on the map of modern global cities. With a height of 461.3 m, 81 floors above ground and three basements, this tower is still the tallest building in Vietnam. With a total investment of about 1.5 billion USD, the project is located right in the center of Vinhomes Central Park urban area, next to the Saigon River.
The special thing is that the Vietnamese contractor - Coteccons undertook the construction, marking the maturity of the domestic construction industry. Previously, complex high-rise projects were almost exclusively by foreign general contractors. Therefore, Landmark 81 is not only an iconic project, but also a testament to the breakthrough capacity of domestic enterprises.
Inspired by the image of a bundle of bamboo, symbolizing the resilience and sustainability of the nation, the tower was designed by Atkins - the unit also behind the Burj Khalifa (Dubai) mega-project. After more than 4 years of continuous construction, with more than 100 partners, thousands of engineers and workers working in three shifts, Landmark 81 officially came into operation in July 2018.
The project set a series of records: the largest foundation in Southeast Asia, concrete volume up to 18,000 m³, construction steel of more than 52,000 tons - equivalent to the weight of a thousand elephants. Today, Landmark 81 has become a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City, appearing regularly in promotional activities and investment promotion of Vingroup and Vinhomes in the international market.
Bitexco Financial Tower – the mark of the pioneering generation
Before Landmark 81 appeared, Bitexco Financial Tower held the title of the tallest tower in Ho Chi Minh City. With a height of 262.5 m and 68 floors, inaugurated in 2010, this is the first building in Vietnam to surpass the 200 m mark.
The design was inspired by the lotus bud – a symbol of Vietnamese culture – along with a unique helipad on the 52nd floor. This building was once ranked by CNN as one of the 20 most iconic buildings in the world. Then, in 2013, Bitexco continued to be in the group of 25 most impressive architectural works in Asia.
For the investor, the desire to build Bitexco Tower originated from a visit to the Chrysler building (New York) – an American architectural icon. The desire for “Vietnamese people to have a building to be proud of like Chrysler or Petronas” has become a reality. Currently, Bitexco is still the address of many international corporations in the field of finance and insurance, and is also a bustling commercial center right in the heart of the urban core.
Saigon Marina IFC – the new symbol of the financial center
On August 19, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City officially inaugurated Saigon Marina International Financial Center (IFC) – a 240 m high tower with 55 floors, the third in the city. This is one of 250 key projects celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day.
The highlight of Saigon Marina IFC is not only its height but also its TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) model. The B2 basement of the building is directly connected to Ba Son underground station – metro line 1, turning this place into a strategic traffic junction. The project has 34 high-speed elevators, a large retail and culinary podium area, and a class A office area of more than 87,000 m².
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc said the project has “modern stature, reflecting the spirit of integration and innovation”, while Ho Chi Minh City leaders expect it to be “a new symbol of prosperity” in the era of green development and digitalization.
Landmarks in Da Nang and Hanoi
Not only Ho Chi Minh City, other major cities also own symbolic works. In Da Nang, the 166.8 m high Administrative Center building inaugurated in 2014 was inspired by the lighthouse and sails - the image of a young city reaching out to sea. This is still the tallest administrative headquarters in Vietnam, gathering more than 1,600 officials and employees of 24 departments and branches.
In Hanoi, Landmark 72 (350 m) was once a billion-dollar project of Keangnam Enterprises, currently holding the highest position in the capital and second in the country. In parallel, Lotte Center Hanoi (272 m) impresses with its design inspired by the Vietnamese ao dai, becoming an architectural and commercial highlight in the center.
Future: new symbols are taking shape
In the future, Ho Chi Minh City will welcome the Empire 88 Tower with a height of 333 m - expected to be among the tallest buildings in Vietnam. The project is an important highlight of the Empire City urban area in Thu Thiem, not only having architectural significance but also being a new symbol for the aspiration to build an international financial - commercial center right in the heart of the city.
In summary, it can be seen that the urban landscape of Vietnam is entering a new phase with a series of symbols taking shape. If Landmark 81, Bitexco or Saigon Marina IFC have been affirming their positions, the future of Thu Thiem will be defined by Empire 88 Tower - a 333m tower with the appearance of a "hanging garden in the clouds", along with Lotte Eco Smart City - a green, smart metropolis worth more than 2.2 billion USD. These two projects not only add new milestones to the architectural map, but also demonstrate a strong aspiration to bring Ho Chi Minh City to the position of a leading financial - commercial - technological center in the region.
