Empire 88 Tower and the race to reach higher of Vietnamese cities.
If bridges are symbols connecting the two banks, then skyscrapers are the mark affirming the position and aspirations of Vietnamese cities to reach higher. From Landmark 81, Bitexco Financial Tower to the newly inaugurated Saigon Marina IFC, high-rise buildings not only change the face of the city but also demonstrate the desire for global integration. And in the future, Empire 88 Tower in Thu Thiem promises to become the next milestone in that journey.
Landmark 81 – The Flag of Vietnamese Aspiration
Landmark 81, invested by Vingroup, is currently the tallest building in Vietnam with a height of 461.3 m, 81 floors above ground, three basements and a total investment of more than 1.5 billion USD. The project was directly constructed by Coteccons – a Vietnamese contractor, marking a turning point in domestic construction capacity, which previously relied heavily on foreign general contractors.
Inspired by the image of a bundle of bamboo, symbolizing solidarity and endurance, Landmark 81 was implemented by Atkins (the design unit of Burj Khalifa). After 4 years of construction, the project went into operation in 2018, setting a series of records for foundation, concrete and steel volume. Today, the tower has become a modern architectural symbol of Ho Chi Minh City, regularly appearing in international promotional activities.
Bitexco Financial Tower – A pioneering mark
Before Landmark 81 appeared, Bitexco Financial Tower held the highest position in Ho Chi Minh City. With a height of 262.5 m, 68 floors, inaugurated in 2010, this is the first tower in Vietnam to surpass the 200 m mark.
The design is inspired by the lotus bud – a symbol of Vietnamese culture – with a unique helipad on the 52nd floor, the building was voted by CNN as one of the 20 iconic buildings in the world. In 2013, Bitexco continued to be in the group of 25 most impressive architectural works in Asia. Currently, this place is still a commercial center, class A office, gathering many international corporations.
Saigon Marina IFC – New financial symbol
On August 19, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City inaugurated the 240m, 55-storey Saigon Marina International Financial Centre (IFC). This is a key project in the series of projects celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day.
The tower attracts attention with its TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) model, when the B2 basement is directly connected to Ba Son metro station – metro line 1. Saigon Marina IFC owns 34 high-speed elevators, a modern commercial – culinary podium and a class A office with a scale of 87,000 m². The project is expected to become a new symbol of prosperity in the period of green development and digitalization.
Landmarks in Hanoi and Da Nang
Not only Ho Chi Minh City, other cities also leave their mark with iconic buildings. In Hanoi, the 350-meter-high Landmark 72 holds the position of the tallest tower in the capital, while Lotte Center Hanoi (272 meters) impresses with its design inspired by the ao dai. Meanwhile, Da Nang has the 166.8-meter-high Administrative Center building, inspired by a lighthouse and sails, which is still the tallest administrative headquarters in the country.
Empire 88 Tower – The Future of Thu Thiem
In the near future, Empire 88 Tower in Thu Thiem will become one of the tallest buildings in Vietnam, with a height of 333 m. This is an important highlight of the 14.5-hectare Empire City urban area on the banks of the Saigon River. The project is developed by the joint venture of Emperor City (Tien Phuoc – Tran Thai – Keppel Land – Gaw Capital), with a total capital of about 1.2 billion USD.
Empire 88 Tower is a multifunctional complex: commercial center, office, 5-star hotel, luxury apartments and underground parking. The design includes three towers, in which the central tower rises like a mountain top, surrounded by green space and floating “terraced fields” – creating the image of a “hanging garden in the clouds”. The project is not only symbolic in terms of height, but also aims at a harmonious combination between nature and modern life.
Lotte Eco Smart City – Smart Green Metropolis
Along with Empire 88 Tower, the Lotte Eco Smart City project in Thu Thiem is realizing the “smart – green city” model with an investment capital of 2.2 billion USD. On an area of 7.45 hectares, the project includes luxury apartments, class A offices, 5-star hotels, commercial centers and green public spaces.
Lotte Eco Smart City applies 4.0 technology in management and operation, from security, energy to smart utilities. The project is expected to provide about 12,500 apartments, handed over from the end of 2025 to early 2026, contributing to making Thu Thiem a new financial – technology center of Ho Chi Minh City.
From Landmark 81 – the “flag” of Vietnamese aspirations, Bitexco – a pioneering mark, Saigon Marina IFC – a new financial symbol, to Empire 88 Tower and Lotte Eco Smart City in Thu Thiem, the urban landscape of Vietnam is entering a new era. The race to reach new heights is not only a measure of architectural height, but also reflects the desire to integrate, modernize and affirm the position of Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities on the regional and world map.
Source: https://achievereal.com/nhung-toa-thap-bieu-tuong-dinh-hinh-bau-troi-do-thi-viet-nam/483/?language=vi
