Vietnam's iconic skyscrapers, from Landmark 81 to Saigon Marina IFC, represent the country's economic progress and global ambitions.

Iconic buildings across Vietnam. Graphics: Gia Linh

Landmark 81, Ho Chi Minh City

Landmark 81 illuminated at night. Photo: Quynh Tran

Developed by Vingroup, Landmark 81 embodies Ho Chi Minh City's modern identity and Vietnam's global aspirations. At 461.3 meters, it's Vietnam's tallest building, featuring 81 floors, 3 basement levels, and a 1.5 billion USD investment. Located in the heart of Vinhomes Central Park along the Saigon River, the skyscraper's construction marked a milestone for Vietnamese contractors, as Coteccons led the project, a departure from the reliance on foreign firms for such complex projects. The bamboo-inspired design, symbolizing resilience and sustainable growth, was conceived by Atkins, the same firm behind the Burj Khalifa. After over 1,460 days of construction involving 100 partners, subcontractors, and thousands of workers, Landmark 81's first phase opened in July 2018. The project boasts numerous records, including Southeast Asia's largest foundation, using 18,000 cubic meters of concrete and 52,000 tons of steel. Landmark 81 has become a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City and highlights the private sector's contribution to the country's socioeconomic development. It also signifies Vingroup and Vinhomes' expansion in the south and features prominently in their international marketing.

Bitexco Financial Tower in August 2025. Photo: Thanh Tung

Landmark 81 from above. Photo: Quynh Tran

Rendering of the North Hanoi Smart City project, featuring the 108-story tower. Photo: BRG

Landmark 81 from above.

Exterior of Landmark 81. Photo: Quynh Tran

Shopping mall at the base of Landmark 81. Photo: Quynh Tran

Ice rink inside Landmark 81. Photo: Quynh Tran

Landmark 81 held the title of Southeast Asia's tallest building from 2017 until 2024, when Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka 118 (678.9 meters, 118 floors) was completed. It remains among Asia's top 20 tallest buildings.

Bitexco Financial Tower, Ho Chi Minh City

While eclipsed by Landmark 81, Bitexco Financial Tower remains a prominent icon in Ho Chi Minh City's center. Developed by Bitexco Group, construction began in June 2007, and the tower opened in October 2010. At 262.5 meters and 68 floors, it was Vietnam's first building over 200 meters tall. Inspired by a lotus bud, it features a helipad on the 52nd floor. Bitexco's chairman envisioned the tower after visiting New York's Chrysler Building, hoping to create a source of national pride akin to the Chrysler Building or Malaysia's Petronas Towers. This vision materialized with CNN naming it one of the world's 20 most iconic buildings. In 2013, it was recognized among the 25 most iconic global buildings and as Asia's most beautiful architectural complex. The tower houses a 10,000-square-meter shopping mall on the lower floors and 37,000 square meters of premium office space occupied by international financial institutions, insurance companies, and corporations.

Saigon Marina IFC

The 240-meter, 55-story Saigon Marina IFC in August 2025. Photo: Quynh Tran

Inaugurated on 19/8, Saigon Marina International Financial Centre (IFC) is a new landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, pioneering the city's financial center model and serving as one of 250 key projects commemorating 80 years of National Day. Standing at 240 meters, it's the city's third tallest, surpassing Vietcombank Tower. The 55-story tower includes 5 floors of retail space, 46 floors (87,000 square meters) of office space, and 4 floors dedicated to dining, with an observation deck on the top floor. The building features 34 elevators with a maximum wait time of 30 seconds. Located at 2 Ton Duc Thang Street, Saigon Marina IFC boasts a prime location in Ho Chi Minh City's center. It also embraces the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model, connecting its B2 level to the Ba Son underground station and serving as entrances 4 and 5 for metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien).

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc hailed Saigon Marina as a modern edifice reflecting innovation, creativity, and integration. He hopes it will house financial institutions and multinational corporations, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and deeper global economic ties for Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Dung described Saigon Marina IFC as a new symbol of prosperity for Vietnam's largest city. "The tower will be a prominent image of Vietnam in the era of green development, digitalization, and integration, ready to stand alongside major financial centers in the region," Dung said.

Da Nang Administrative Center

Upon completion in 2014, this 166.8-meter, 34-story building became central Vietnam's tallest. Situated on a 23,000-square-meter site at the Tran Phu - Ly Tu Trong intersection, facing the Han River and adjacent to the historic Thanh Dien Hai, the project began in 2008 with a total investment of over 2,000 billion VND. The building's design, inspired by a lighthouse and a ship with a sail-shaped roof, symbolizes the aspirations of a young city and the dynamism of central and the Central Highlands regions. Locals, however, often refer to it as the "corn building." It remains the tallest administrative center in the country, housing over 1,600 employees from 24 departments and serving over 600 citizens daily. Following the merger with Quang Nam, most Da Nang departments continue to operate within the building's 65,000 square meters of floor space.

Da Nang Administrative Center from above. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Da Nang Administrative Center from above. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Civil servants and citizens at Da Nang Administrative Center in May 2025. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Civil servants and citizens at Da Nang Administrative Center in May 2025. Photo: Nguyen Dong

Landmark 72, Hanoi

Landmark 72, Hanoi's tallest building, viewed from above. Photo: Thanh Hai

At 350 meters, Landmark 72 is Hanoi's tallest building and the second tallest in Vietnam. It also ranks among Southeast Asia's ten tallest towers. Construction began in 2007 and completed 4 years later. Initially developed by South Korean Keangnam Enterprises for approximately 1 billion USD, the complex comprises a 72-story commercial tower and two 48-story residential towers. Situated near the third ring road in the Cau Giay new urban area, Landmark 72 symbolized Hanoi's westward expansion and urbanization. Keangnam Enterprises' investment coincided with Vietnam's deeper global integration and increased foreign investment in manufacturing, technology, and real estate following its WTO membership. By the end of 2011, South Korea was among the top investors in Vietnam. Despite ambitious plans, Keangnam Enterprises sold the building after 4 years due to the global financial crisis. In late 2015-early 2016, AON Holdings, a British multinational specializing in risk management, insurance, and brokerage, acquired the building. Late last year, South Korean media reported AON Holdings' intention to divest its stake for over 1,000 billion won (18,465 billion VND).

Lotte Center, Hanoi

Lotte Center, a 272-meter skyscraper, situated in Hanoi's city center. Photo: Lotte

Lotte Center's development commenced in 2009, shortly after Landmark 72, but Lotte acquired the project from another South Korean company, Daewoo, in 2005. After 5 years of construction, the tower opened on Vietnam's National Day in 2014. Lotte envisioned the project as an iconic landmark, enhancing its brand in Vietnam. Inspired by the traditional Ao Dai, the design features two interconnected blocks with sky gardens for ventilation and energy efficiency. Standing at 272 meters with 65 floors and 5 basement levels, Lotte Center is Hanoi's second tallest building. It houses a supermarket, shopping mall, offices, restaurants, and a luxury hotel. After 10 years of operation, Lotte renovated and modernized the complex last year. Following this success, in 2023, Lotte opened another landmark project in Hanoi on Vo Chi Cong Street: Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi. This 600 million USD complex includes a shopping mall, a 5-star hotel, serviced apartments, and grade-A offices. The 7-story, 222,000-square-meter shopping mall is one of Vietnam's largest, occupying 60% of the complex.

Future icons

At the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony for 250 national projects on 19/8, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed confidence that many of these projects would become new icons, admired globally and enriching cultural life. "Each project will be a piece brightening the picture of Vietnam," he said.

Rendering of the 69-story tower at Da Nang Downtown.

In real estate, Sun Group's Da Nang Downtown project, with an investment of approximately 80,000 billion VND, is poised to become a new symbol for central Vietnam. Spanning nearly 77 hectares, the project occupies a prime location at the former Asia Park site along the Han River, between the Tran Thi Ly and Tien Son bridges. The centerpiece is a 408-meter, 69-story tower, potentially becoming Vietnam's second tallest building. It will include a hotel, offices, apartments, a shopping mall, and an observation deck. The tower's design draws inspiration from the five elements and the Ao Dai, with a flame-shaped top.

In Hanoi, the North Hanoi Smart City project, a joint venture between BRG and Sumitomo Corporation, also broke ground the same day. With a scale of nearly 272 hectares and a projected investment of 4.2 billion USD, the project will unfold in 5 phases, slated for completion in Q4 2032. At its heart will be a 108-story financial and commercial tower.

BRG Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Nga stated that North Hanoi Smart City aims to be "Vietnam's first carbon-neutral urban area, attracting major global investors."

Anh Tu