Vietnam, although typically known for its incredible beaches, is on the cutting-edge of commerce and infrastructure in the developing world.
When visiting either Ho Chi Minh City, to the south, or Hanoi, in the north, this fact becomes much more apparent when looking at the cityscapes, as many of the skylines have been adorned with grand skyscrapers.
In the past two decades, the ingenuity of the Vietnamese people, coupled with capital from other countries competing for a place in this up-and-coming financial market, has led to the construction of these new superstructures.
Types of Skyscrapers in Vietnam
Within Vietnam, there are three types of buildings reaching into the clouds: residential towers, commercial towers, and mixed-use towers.
Residential Towers
The largest cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are perfect places for luxury residential living. As millions continue to flock to these city centers, the easiest solution has been to stack everyone on top of each other while still providing the highest amenities possible for comfortable living.
These often serviced, residential towers house thousands of people on one generally small plot of real estate.
Commercial Towers
Commercial skyscrapers are often owned by one major corporation and then rented out to other international conglomerates looking to open a location within Vietnam.
A tower located in the financial district could house multiple banks from all across the world in addition to restaurants and other amenities for the employees and general population.
Mixed-Use Residential and Commercial Towers
Many Vietnam skyscrapers house a mixture of both residential and commercial establishments. It is quite common to discover a building that has a supermarket and restaurants on the lower floors, a 5-star hotel within the middle floors, and residential apartments on the very top.
Here are 8 of the Tallest Buildings in Vietnam, which include residential, commercial, and mixed-use structures.
Landmark 81
Landmark 81 is the tallest skyscraper in all of Vietnam and currently reigns as the 15th tallest building in the world. Proudly touching the clouds in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, this 1,530-foot monster stands on the bank of the Saigon River in the heart of the Binh Thanh District for all to see.
Landmark 81 was built by Vietnamese corporation, Vinhomes, and is the central tower in this high-end area of Saigon known as Vinhomes Central Park.
This 81-story skyscraper is the biggest “green building” in Vietnam and boasts features that save energy as well as offer a clean water system equaling EU standards for all of its guests.
The Landmark 81 tower is the pride of Vietnam and includes a hotel and conference facility, luxury apartments, endless restaurants and bars, high-end retail spaces, the largest ice-stadium in Vietnam, and a multi-story observation deck with incredible views of the city.
Landmark 81 is a great symbol of a new Vietnam that is gracefully rising into prosperity and modernity.
- Address: No. 720A Dien Bien Phu St, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
- Website: landmark.vinhomes.vn
Keangnam Landmark Tower 72
The Keangnam Landmark Tower 72 hovers over the Nam Từ Liêm District, in Hanoi, Vietnam at 1,102 feet tall. This 72-story mixed-use tower has a total floor area is 609,673 m2, making it the fifth-largest floor area of any single building in the entire world.
Furthermore, the Keangnam Landmark Tower 72 used to hold the status of the tallest building in Vietnam until Landmark 81 was built in 2018.
This mighty skyscraper is owned and operated by the South Korea-based company, Keangnam Enterprises, Ltd. and boasts a 5-star InterContinental hotel with its 359 rooms and 9 floors, both office and retail spaces, entertainment areas, international restaurants, clinics, and convention centers.
There is also a special elevator to the top that delivers you up to the Sky 72 in only 60 seconds! Once there, visitors may use a telescope to view the astonishing and historical city of Hanoi.
- Address: Khu E6 Đô thị mới Cầu Giấy, Phạm Hùng, Mễ Trì, Nam Từ Liêm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
- Website: ihg.com (InterContinental Hotel)
Lotte Center Hanoi
Lotte Center Hanoi is a grand skyscraper in Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam. One of the oldest of the tall towers in Hanoi, the Lotte Center Hanoi was completed on 2 September 2014.
With 65 floors and impressive modern architecture designed by the American company, Callison, the Lotte Center is the third-largest skyscraper in Vietnam, standing at 892 feet tall.
Inspired by the ao dai, Vietnam’s traditional long dress, Lotte Center Hanoi is a beauty to behold. Just like the ao dai, the tower presents a sleek, elegant, and tapered design that is defined by bold vertical lines.
Lotte Center boasts a 5-star luxury hotel, the Lotte department store, serviced apartments, the Evian Spa, many restaurants and cafes, the city’s finest observation deck, and Lotte Mart. Lotte Mart is a massive “Wal-Mart-like” supermarket where locals can purchase food and living supplies all in one location.
- Address: 54 Liễu Giai, Cống Vị, Ba Đình, Hà Nội 117000, Vietnam
- Website: lottehotel.com (Lotte Hotel)
Bitexco Financial Tower
Designed with inspiration from Vietnam’s national flower, the lotus, Bitexco is the fifth tallest building in Vietnam as well as the second tallest in the great city of Ho Chi Minh.
Owned by a Vietnamese multi-industry corporation called Bitexco Group, this building houses the southern offices while its headquarters remain in Hanoi, to the north.
The Bitexco Financial Tower provides space for multiple different projects including retail and office space, a food court, cinema, observation deck, and Vietnam’s first non-rooftop helipad.
Located on the 52nd floor of this 68-story skyscraper, the helipad extends out from the building and hovers ominously over the city below. Best known for its 360-degree views from its 860-foot rooftop, located across the Saigon River, Bitexco is a must-see stop on any tourist’s bucket list.
- Address: 36 Ho Tung Mau Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
- Website: bitexcofinancialtower.com
Keangnam Hanoi Residential Tower 1 & Tower 2
Within the Keangnam Hanoi Complex in Hanoi, there are two enormous residential towers managed by InterContinental Group. Each tower has 49 floors, all available for luxury and green residential housing.
These imposing figures are located directly beside the grand Keangnam Landmark Tower 72 and 696-feet tall, you will rarely find a larger fully-residential tower in the world.
The thousands of residents that live inside the Keangnam towers enjoy amenities such as swimming pools, gardens, tennis courts, gyms, children’s playgrounds, shopping centers, and amusement parks. One would never need to leave the complex if they so choose.
- Address: 458 Minh Khai, Vĩnh Tuy, Hai Bà Trưng, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Vietcombank Tower Saigon
The Vietcombank Tower Saigon is a 40-floor, 676-foot tall structure directly located in the center of the financial district of Ho Chi Minh City. This building boasts a modern, “royal” appearance and houses office spaces and financial rooms for banks as well as financial institutions from across the world.
Some well-known that house themselves in the Vietcombank Tower include the Johnson & Johnson Vietnam Company, Shiseido Vietnam Company, Russin & Vecchi Law Company, Heineken Brewery Vietnam Co., Ltd., Phu Quoc Petroleum Company, and Pernod Ricard Company.
- Address: 5 Me Linh Square, Dist., Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Website: vietcombanktower.vn
Saigon One Tower
The Saigon One Tower in Ho Chi Minh City has uniquely been labeled a “Ghost Tower”. Standing tall and unfinished since the early 2000s, this 42-story tower stands as a reminder that all great ventures don’t always go as planned.
Saigon One was originally designed to be a haven for upscale offices, apartments, and stores, but fate, corruption, and bad financial dealings seem to have gotten in the way. The tower stood incomplete for many years and the project has now been abandoned.
You can capture a view of what remains of Saigon One Tower as you cross the bridge into the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. It still stands in unique contrast to all of the beautiful and outstanding skyscrapers that continue to find success in the thriving and growing Vietnam landscape.
- Address: Bến Nghé, Quận 1, Thành phố, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Lighting up the city skylines, these are among the tallest buildings in Vietnam. Keep your head up when strolling through these famous streets or take a trip up to the top and look at the city below.
Bitexco Financial Tower – Ho Chi Minh City
