It looms over the Saigon River like a cluster of silver needles tied together. If you've ever spent more than five minutes in Ho Chi Minh City, you've seen it. Landmark 81. It’s hard to miss.
Honestly, it’s huge.
Most people just see a big skyscraper and think "cool building," but there’s a lot more going on with the tallest building in Vietnam than just its height. It’s a weird, vertical city that basically redefined how the world looks at Vietnam’s economy.
When it topped out in 2018, it didn't just break local records. It smashed them.
Why Landmark 81 is the Undisputed King
At 461.2 meters, Landmark 81 is tall. Really tall. For context, it’s over 130 meters taller than the previous record-holder in Hanoi, the Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower. That’s like stacking an entire second 40-story building on top of a skyscraper that was already the biggest in the country.
People often get confused about where it stands globally. As of early 2026, it remains the tallest structural work in Vietnam and ranks comfortably within the top 20 tallest buildings in the world. For a while, it was actually the tallest in all of Southeast Asia, until the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur decided to ruin the party.
The design isn't just random glass and steel. The architects at Atkins—the same folks who worked on the Burj Al Arab—looked at a bundle of bamboo.
Seriously. Bamboo.
In Vietnamese culture, a bundle of bamboo represents strength in numbers and resilience. If you look at the base, it’s 36 square tubes of different heights clustered together. It looks like a bamboo thicket growing out of the pavement.
The View from the Top (and the Price of Admission)
You want to go up. Everyone does.
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The SkyView observation deck spans the 79th, 80th, and 81st floors. It is currently the highest observation deck in Southeast Asia. On a clear day, you can see all the way to the edges of the city where the urban sprawl finally gives up and turns back into jungle and rice paddies.
But it’s not cheap.
Expect to pay around 450,000 to 500,000 VND (roughly $18–$20) for an adult ticket on weekends. Is it worth it? Sorta. If you’re a photographer, 100%. If you just want a beer with a view, you might be better off heading to the Blank Lounge on the 75th and 76th floors. You’ll spend about the same on a drink, but at least you get a cocktail out of the deal.
There’s also this thing called "SkyTouch." It’s an outdoor space on the 81st floor where you’re basically standing in the wind nearly half a kilometer in the air. It’s terrifying. It’s also arguably the best selfie spot in the country.
More Than Just an Office Block
One thing people get wrong is thinking this is just a boring corporate tower. It’s actually a "mixed-use" mess in the best way possible.
The bottom floors are a giant Vincom Center mall. You’ve got high-end brands, a massive ice rink (yes, in a tropical city where it's 32°C outside), and a cinema. Then you have the apartments.
Can you imagine living there? The elevators are some of the fastest in the world, built by Schindler. They have to be. Otherwise, you’d spend half your morning just trying to get to the lobby for a Banh Mi.
From the 47th floor up, it’s the Vinpearl Landmark 81, Autograph Collection. It’s a 5-star hotel where the "lobby" is so high up it feels like you're boarding a flight. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling Low-E glass, which is basically fancy tech that lets light in but keeps the brutal Vietnam heat out.
The "Other" Tall Buildings (The Runners Up)
Vietnam’s skyline isn’t a one-man show. While Landmark 81 is the tallest building in Vietnam, there’s a quiet rivalry between the north and the south.
- Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower (Hanoi): Standing at 329 meters, it held the crown for years. It’s the heart of the "New Hanoi" district and feels a bit more corporate than its Saigon cousin.
- Lotte Center Hanoi (Hanoi): 272 meters. It’s shaped like a traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai (long dress). It has a glass-bottomed observation deck that makes your stomach drop.
- Bitexco Financial Tower (HCMC): The old king. It’s only 262 meters, but it’s still the most iconic because of that weird helicopter pad sticking out of the side like a lotus petal.
There’s also talk of the Empire 88 Tower in Thu Thiem. If it ever actually gets finished at its proposed height, it might give Landmark 81 a run for its money. But for now? The bamboo bundle is safe.
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Real Talk: Logistics for Visiting
If you’re planning to visit, don't just take a taxi to "the big building." The traffic in Binh Thanh district can be a nightmare during rush hour.
The best way to see it is actually to arrive around 4:30 PM. Walk through the Vinhomes Central Park first. It’s a 14-hectare park inspired by New York’s Central Park, and it’s free. You get the best photos of the building from the park’s bridges.
Once the sun starts to set, head inside. The building glows at night with an LED system that changes colors. It’s basically a giant glow-stick for the city.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit:
- Avoid the crowds: Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekends are packed with local families and the wait for the elevators can be 30+ minutes.
- Save money: If you're a student, bring your ID. They actually check, and the discount is significant.
- The "Blank" Hack: Instead of the 81st-floor ticket, go to Blank Lounge. The view is 95% as good, and you get a seat and a drink for the price of a SkyView entrance.
- Check the weather: If it’s raining or heavily overcast, don't bother going up. You’ll literally just be standing inside a cloud. It sounds poetic; in reality, you just see white mist and a $20 hole in your wallet.
Landmark 81 isn't just about being the tallest building in Vietnam anymore. It’s become a landmark in the literal sense—a navigation point for locals and a symbol that Vietnam is no longer just a "developing" nation. It’s a nation that builds toward the clouds.
Go for the view, stay for the air conditioning, and maybe skip the outdoor glass bridge if you have a weak stomach.