Bitexco Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck)

About Bitexco Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck)

About Bitexco Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck)

The Bitexco Financial Tower is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most iconic skyscrapers, offering stunning panoramic views from its Saigon Skydeck (observation deck). Here’s everything you need to know before visiting:


📍 Location

Address: 36 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC
Height: 262 meters (68 floors)
Skydeck: 49th floor (178.8m above ground)


🎟️ Tickets & Opening Hours

  • Opening Hours:

    • Skydeck: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM (Last entry at 9:00 PM)

    • EON Heli Bar (51st floor): 11:30 AM – Midnight

  • Ticket Prices (2024):

    • Adults: ~ 250,000–300,000 VND (~$10–12 USD)

    • Children (4–12): ~ 200,000 VND (~$8 USD)

    • Free for kids under 4

    • Combo tickets (Skydeck + Café or Heli Bar) available.

  • Where to Buy:

    • On-site counter (Ground floor)

    • Online (Klook, Traveloka for discounts)


🌆 Best Time to Visit

  • Sunset (5:00–6:30 PM) – Best for golden-hour city views.

  • Night (7:00 PM onwards) – See city lights & Saigon River.

  • Weekdays – Less crowded than weekends.


📸 What to Expect

✅ 360° Glass Observation Deck – Panoramic views of HCMC.
✅ Interactive Screens – Learn about city landmarks.
✅ Free Telescopes – Zoom in on distant sights.
✅ Photo Spots – Glass floor section for daring shots.
✅ EON Heli Bar (51st floor) – Rooftop bar with cocktails.
✅ Café (50th floor) – Coffee with a view.


🚗 Getting There

  • Taxi/Grab: ~50,000–100,000 VND from District 1.

  • Walking: 10–15 mins from Ben Thanh Market.

  • Parking: Available in the tower’s basement.


💡 Tips for Visitors

✔ Book online for small discounts (Klook, Traveloka).
✔ Clear day = Best views (Avoid rainy/foggy days).
✔ Dress code: Casual, but no flip-flops in Heli Bar.
✔ Combine with nearby attractions:

  • Ben Thanh Market (Shopping & food)

  • Saigon River Cruise (Evening dinner cruise)

  • Nguyen Hue Walking Street (Nightlife)


⚠️ Things to Note

  • No tripods allowed (handheld cameras only).

  • Security check at entrance (like airports).

  • Limited time – No strict time limit, but crowds may pressure you to leave.


🌟 Is It Worth It?

✅ Yes – If you love skyline views & photography.
❌ No – If you’re on a tight budget (cheaper rooftop bars exist).

Getting There

Here’s a helpful guide on how to get to Bitexco Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck) in Ho Chi Minh City:

📍 Location

Bitexco Financial Tower
Address: 36 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, HCMC
Saigon Skydeck Entrance: Level 49 (Observation Deck)

🚖 Transportation Options

1. Taxi / Ride-Hailing (Grab, Be, Gojek)

  • Fastest & most convenient (especially in hot/rainy weather).

  • Cost: ~50,000–100,000 VND (~2–4 USD) from District 1.

  • Drop-off point: Main entrance of Bitexco Tower.

2. Motorbike Taxi (Xe Om)

  • Cheaper & faster in traffic, but only for solo travelers.

  • Cost: ~30,000–50,000 VND (~1.50–2.50).

  • Tip: Use Grab Bike for fixed pricing.

3. Public Bus

  • Budget-friendly (but slower due to traffic).

  • Nearby bus stops:

    • “Ben Thanh Market” (Routes: 04, 18, 152) – 10-min walk.

    • “Nguyen Hue Walking Street” (Routes: 03, 19, 45) – 5-min walk.

  • Fare: 6,000–10,000 VND (~0.25–0.40).

4. Walking (From Nearby Landmarks)

  • From Ben Thanh Market: ~15-min walk (1.2 km).

  • From Nguyen Hue Walking Street: ~5-min walk (400 m).

  • From Saigon Central Post Office: ~10-min walk (800 m).

🅿️ Parking (If Driving)

  • Motorbike parking: Available nearby (~5,000–10,000 VND).

  • Car parking: Bitexco Tower’s basement (paid).

🎟️ Saigon Skydeck Tickets

  • Price:

    • Adults: ~240,000 VND (~$10 USD).

    • Children (4–12): ~160,000 VND (~$6.50).

  • Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 9:30 PM (last entry 8:45 PM).

  • Best Time to Visit: Sunset (5–7 PM) for city views.

🌟 Pro Tips

✔ Avoid weekends & holidays for fewer crowds.
✔ Buy tickets online (Klook, Traveloka) for small discounts.
✔ Combine with a drink at EON51 Café (Level 51) for a cheaper view.
✔ No tripods allowed on Skydeck (handheld cameras only).

🚶 Nearby Attractions

  • Nguyen Hue Walking Street (5-min walk).

  • Ben Thanh Market (15-min walk).

  • Saigon River & Bach Dang Pier (10-min walk).

What To Do

Visiting the Bitexco Financial Tower and its Saigon Skydeck (Observation Deck) is a must for panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City. Here’s what you can do there:


1. Visit the Saigon Skydeck (Observation Deck)

  • Location: 49th Floor (180m high)

  • 360° views of the city, including the Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

  • Best time to go:

    • Daytime (9 AM – 5 PM) for clear cityscapes.

    • Sunset (5 PM – 6:30 PM) for golden-hour photos.

    • Night (7 PM – 9:30 PM) for sparkling city lights.

  • Ticket price: ~250,000 VND (~$10) for adults (check for discounts online).


2. Enjoy a Drink at the EON Heli Bar (52nd Floor)

  • Free entry (no Skydeck ticket needed if just visiting the bar).

  • Happy Hour (5 PM – 7 PM) – Discounted cocktails with a view.

  • Great for photos with floor-to-ceiling windows.


3. Try the EON51 Café (51st Floor)

  • More affordable than the Heli Bar.

  • Coffee, desserts, and light meals with a view.


4. Experience the Glass Skywalk (Limited Time Events)

  • Occasionally, special events feature a glass-floor section for thrilling views straight down.

  • Check their website or social media for updates.


5. Helicopter Pad (No Longer in Use, But Iconic)

  • The tower was designed with a helipad (now closed), but it remains a unique architectural feature.


6. Shopping & Dining at the Tower’s Base

  • Vincom Center Shopping Mall (connected to the tower) for luxury brands.

  • Restaurants & Cafés at ground level.


7. Nearby Attractions (Walking Distance)

  • Nguyen Hue Walking Street (5-min walk).

  • Saigon River Promenade (10-min walk).

  • Ben Thanh Market (15-min walk).


Tips for Visiting

✅ Buy tickets online (Klook, Traveloka) for small discounts.
✅ Avoid weekends if you want fewer crowds.
✅ Bring a zoom lens for better skyline photos.
✅ Dress smart-casual if visiting the Heli Bar.

Some Tips

Here are some essential tips for visiting the Bitexco Financial Tower (Saigon Skydeck) in Ho Chi Minh City to make the most of your experience:


1. Best Time to Visit

  • Sunset (5:00 PM – 6:30 PM) – Best for golden-hour city views and night lights.

  • Weekdays (Monday-Thursday) – Less crowded than weekends.

  • Clear days – Better visibility (avoid rainy/foggy weather).


2. Ticket Information

  • Price (2024):

    • Adults: ~250,000 – 300,000 VND (~10−12).

    • Children (4-12): ~200,000 VND (~$8).

    • Free for kids under 1m tall.

  • Where to Buy:

    • On-site (49th floor lobby) – Sometimes has discounts for Vietnamese residents.

    • Online (Klook, Traveloka, etc.) – Often cheaper (~10-20% off).


3. What to Expect

  • Observation Deck (49th Floor – Saigon Skydeck):

    • 360° panoramic views of HCMC (Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market, Landmark 81, etc.).

    • Free audio guides (English available).

    • Telescopes for closer city views.

  • Helicopter Pad (52nd Floor – EON Heli Bar):

    • No ticket needed if dining/drinking (great for sunset cocktails).

    • Happy Hour (5 PM – 7 PM) – Discounted drinks.


4. Photography Tips

  • Best Spots:

    • North-facing windows – Landmark 81 skyline.

    • West-facing (sunset) – Golden river views.

    • Glass-floor section – Fun vertigo-inducing shots.

  • Avoid reflections by shooting close to the glass.

  • No tripods allowed (use handheld or phone stabilizers).


5. How to Get There

  • Address: 36 Ho Tung Mau, District 1, HCMC.

  • Transport Options:

    • Taxi/Grab: ~50,000-100,000 VND (~2−4) from District 1.

    • Walking: 10-15 mins from Ben Thanh Market.

    • Metro (Future): Near Ben Thanh Station (once operational).


6. Nearby Attractions

  • Ben Thanh Market (5-min walk) – Shopping & street food.

  • Nguyen Hue Walking Street (10-min walk) – Nightlife & cafes.

  • Saigon Central Post Office & Notre-Dame Cathedral (15-min walk).


7. Extra Tips

  • Security Check: Bags scanned on entry (no large backpacks).

  • Dress Code: Casual, but no flip-flops (some rooftop bars enforce smart casual).

  • Time Needed: ~1 hour for Skydeck; longer if dining at EON Heli Bar.

  • Combined Tickets: Some tours include Skydeck + Landmark 81 for a full city view experience.


Is It Worth It?

✅ Yes for first-time visitors wanting iconic HCMC views.
❌ Skip if you’re short on time or prefer free viewpoints (e.g., Landmark 81’s public areas).

Best Time To Visit

The Bitexco Financial Tower and its Saigon Skydeck (Observation Deck) offer stunning panoramic views of Ho Chi Minh City. To make the most of your visit, here are the best times to go:

1. Best Time of Day

  • Early Morning (9:30 AM – 11 AM) – Fewer crowds, clear skies, and a fresh atmosphere.

  • Late Afternoon (4 PM – 5:30 PM) – Best for sunset views (around 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM, depending on season). The city transitions from day to night, offering golden-hour lighting.

  • Evening (6:30 PM – 9 PM) – The city lights up beautifully, but it can get crowded.

Avoid midday (11 AM – 3 PM) as the sun can create harsh glare on the windows, making photography difficult.

2. Best Days to Visit

  • Weekdays (Monday – Thursday) – Less crowded than weekends.

  • Avoid weekends (Saturday/Sunday) and public holidays if you dislike long lines.

3. Best Weather Conditions

  • Clear, sunny days (Dec – Apr, dry season) provide the best visibility.

  • Avoid rainy/stormy days (May – Nov) as fog and rain can obscure views.

4. Special Events & Times

  • Sunset hours (5 PM – 6:30 PM) – Most popular for photography.

  • Nighttime (after 7 PM) – The city lights create a dazzling skyline.

5. Ticket Tips

  • Buy tickets online (Klook, Traveloka) to skip queues.

  • Combo tickets (Skydeck + Café) are available for a better experience.

6. How Long to Spend?

  • 30–60 mins is enough unless you’re dining at the EON Heli Bar (51st floor).