Bitexco is a huge tower resembling a blossoming lotus flower built by Bitexco Group with a total value of 400 million dollars. It is located in an area of nearly 6,100m2 in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City with a height of 262m. It is the tallest tower in Vietnam and the 110th tallest worldwide at the time of completion (December 31, 2010). At the present time, it is the third tallest tower in Vietnam, behind Hanoi Landmark Tower and Lotte Centre Hanoi.
The main architect, Carlos Zapata, once said that the tower was not designed to compete with others in terms of height as any height could be overcome easily so this competition is meaningless. He drew inspiration from the image of the lotus, which is the assumed Vietnamese national flower and a symbol of purity and optimism, and developed a design presenting the idea of “blossoming Vietnamese culture”.
The tower is covered by 6,000 panels of tempered glass of different sizes and curvature. It is also designed to be environmentally friendly and energy saving. Its glass walls can adjust colours depending on the different amounts of sunlight received at different times during the day or year.
Bitexco Tower uses double-decker lifts with a specialised Compass Elevator System running at a speed of 7m/s to reduce waiting. It takes only 45 seconds to carry people to the top and is the most modern in Vietnam and the third fastest in the world.
The tower has a 360 degree observation deck named Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor designed for visitors to view the city and Saigon River from different angles.
It also has a helipad on the 52nd floor, 191m above the ground. It’s the first helipad built in Vietnam with a total length of 40m, including 18m of connection and 22m extending out from the main structure. This helipad not only creates a visual impression but is also convenient in welcoming visitors to the indoor space quickly.
The top floor is equipped with a modern lighting system that delivers a stunning light display at night, making the tower resemble a gorgeous lighthouse.
At the present time, most of the Bitexco Tower’s space is rented by leading financial organisations.
Bitexco is often chosen as the place to hold fireworks and laser display shows during New Year’s Eve. At the time of transformation between the old and new years, the tower shines brilliantly, proving it to be the symbol of the development of Ho Chi Minh City.
The main architect, Carlos Zapata, once said that the tower was not designed to compete with others in terms of height as any height could be overcome easily so this competition is meaningless. He drew inspiration from the image of the lotus, which is the assumed Vietnamese national flower and a symbol of purity and optimism, and developed a design presenting the idea of “blossoming Vietnamese culture”.
The tower is covered by 6,000 panels of tempered glass of different sizes and curvature. It is also designed to be environmentally friendly and energy saving. Its glass walls can adjust colours depending on the different amounts of sunlight received at different times during the day or year.
 Bitexco Tower resembles a blossoming lotus flower.  It represents the vitality and passion of the Vietnamese.  The helipad on the 52nd floor.  Inside the Bitexco Tower.  Most of Bitexco Tower’s space is rented by leading financial firms.  Tourists visit Bitexco Tower. Photo: Dang Kim Phuong/VNP  Inside a luxurious restaurant in Bitexco Tower.  Foreigners in a café on the 49th floor.  Visitors view Ho Chi Minh City from the 50th floor of Bitexco Tower. Photo: Dang Kim Phuong/VNP  Bitexco Tower is a major business-financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Dang Kim Phuong/VNP |
| Bitexco Tower has 68 stories with a space totaling 119,000m2, including 37,000m2 of office space and more than 8,000m2 of trading area. The 50th and 51st floors house several luxurious restaurants. |
The tower has a 360 degree observation deck named Saigon Skydeck on the 49th floor designed for visitors to view the city and Saigon River from different angles.
It also has a helipad on the 52nd floor, 191m above the ground. It’s the first helipad built in Vietnam with a total length of 40m, including 18m of connection and 22m extending out from the main structure. This helipad not only creates a visual impression but is also convenient in welcoming visitors to the indoor space quickly.
The top floor is equipped with a modern lighting system that delivers a stunning light display at night, making the tower resemble a gorgeous lighthouse.
At the present time, most of the Bitexco Tower’s space is rented by leading financial organisations.
Bitexco is often chosen as the place to hold fireworks and laser display shows during New Year’s Eve. At the time of transformation between the old and new years, the tower shines brilliantly, proving it to be the symbol of the development of Ho Chi Minh City.
Story: Nguyen Vu Thanh Dat - Photo: Dang Kim Phuong
