Bitexco Financial Tower is the glass spire that most people point at when they ask which building is the tall one in the middle of Saigon. It rose in 2010, its curved facade is meant to suggest a lotus bud, and a helipad juts out from the side like a petal. The Saigon Skydeck sits on the 49th floor, about 262 metres above the street, and it is the viewpoint to choose when you want the view to include the places you have actually walked: the Saigon River bending past Thu Thiem, the red roofs and domes of the colonial quarter, the grid of District 1 and, far off on the horizon, the newer towers of Binh Thanh. The tower stands on Ho Tung Mau Street, right in the middle of the sightseeing area, so it slots easily between the Opera House, Nguyen Hue walking street and the riverfront. The ticket we link covers entry to the deck, access to the Ao Dai Museum and its temporary exhibitions, which makes the visit more than a quick look at the skyline. Cultural and artistic workshops are available for a fee and are not part of the basic ticket.
How it works
The entrance is on the Hai Trieu Street side of the building, at 36 Ho Tung Mau Street in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1. The deck is open every day from 09:30 to 21:30, and the last admission is forty-five minutes before closing. You buy a ticket in advance, show the mobile voucher at the entrance and ride the lifts to the 49th floor.
The product offers free cancellation and rescheduling until twenty-four hours before your visit, which is useful in a city where afternoon rain can turn a clear forecast into a grey one.
What to expect
The deck wraps around the tower, so you can walk a full circle and compare the faces of the city. The river side is the showpiece, with ferries and barges moving through the bends and the Landmark 81 tower standing alone in the distance. Inland you look down on the Notre-Dame Cathedral area, the Opera House and the rooftops of Ben Thanh.
Inside, the Ao Dai Museum tells the story of Vietnam's long dress through displays and costumes, and it is worth ten or fifteen minutes before or after the view. Expect other visitors at the glass at golden hour, and expect reflections in the windows during the day.
Making the most of it
Late afternoon is the favourite slot, because you can watch the city change from daylight to a field of lights in a single visit. If you only have time for one high viewpoint, this one is closer to the sights and easier to combine with a walking day than Landmark 81, which is across the river and much taller. On hazy days the far views soften, so choose a day after rain for the sharpest air.
Allow about an hour in total, and finish with a drink or a meal on the streets below, where the pavement cafes of District 1 are only a few minutes away. Bring a light jacket for the air-conditioned lifts and a charged phone, and avoid weekends and holidays at golden hour if you dislike crowds at the windows.
What to expect
The experience
A timed-entry visit to the 49th-floor observation deck with a walk-around view, plus the Ao Dai Museum and temporary exhibitions included in the ticket.
Best time
Late afternoon for golden hour and the switch to city lights, or a clear morning after rain for the sharpest views.
How long
About an hour including the museum and a slow circuit of the deck.
Tips
Enter on the Hai Trieu Street side, remember the last admission is 45 minutes before closing, and bring a cloth to cut window glare for photos.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who want a central skyline view that includes the colonial core, the river and the bridges.
- Families
- Easy for children who like lifts and big windows, and the museum gives something calmer to look at.
- Couples
- A good sunset stop before dinner, with the city lights coming on as you finish.
- Pair with
- Nguyen Hue walking street, the Opera House and a riverside dinner cruise on the same day.
- Time needed
- About an hour, plus time to reach the tower.
Good questions
How high is the Saigon Skydeck?+
The deck is on the 49th floor of Bitexco Financial Tower, about 262 metres above the street.
What are the Saigon Skydeck opening hours?+
The deck is open daily from 09:30 to 21:30, with the last admission forty-five minutes before closing. Hours can change on holidays, so check before you go.
What does the ticket include?+
Entry to the Skydeck, access to the Ao Dai Museum and its temporary exhibitions. Cultural and artistic workshops cost extra.
Skydeck or Landmark 81, which is better?+
The Skydeck is in the middle of District 1 and shows the colonial core, so it suits a walking day. Landmark 81 is much taller and across the river, so it suits a skyline-at-a-distance view.
Can I cancel or move my Skydeck ticket?+
Yes, free cancellation and rescheduling are available until twenty-four hours before your visit for a full refund.
