Bitexco Financial Tower – Saigon Skydeck

As well as trying our best to visit all the great restaurants here in Ho Chi Minh City, we also want to experience all the attractions we recommend here on our site. Today’s effort; 1 fantastic restaurant, 1 of our favourite Bars and Bitexco Financial Tower for one of the best views in Saigon.

For tourists to HCMC you are more likely to be attracted to the Saigon Skydeck than the Bitexco Financial Tower itself, but of course they are one and the same. Whilst most of the 68 floors are occupied by commercial tenants, the actual public observation platform (the Saigon Skydeck) is on the 49th Floor. There is also a selection of exclusive shops, a food court, a cinema complex, fine dining options with magnificent views on floors 50 and 51, and the HelioBar on level 52. At 262m, it’s by far and away the city’s tallest building, and the helipad on the 52nd floor gives it an instantly recognizable silhouette.

Perhaps a reflection of our priorities in life, we passed up the Ticket Booth for the Skydeck (200 000 VND for adults/130 000 VND for kids 4-12/Seniors and Disabled) and found our way via an escalator (to the UL) and then two lifts to the 52-floor HelioBar. If you get lost just, ask one of the staff. They’re identifiable by their stylish black uniforms and usually seen manning one of several security gates.

Drinks in the HeliBar are quite expensive by Ho Chi Minh City standards. However, when you factor in the view and the price of a ticket to the actual viewing platform (3 floors below), it’s not too bad. And, it is still far cheaper than similar attractions in many Western Countries.

Insiders Note: The Heliobar has an extended Happy Hour special in the afternoons where you can purchase three draft Tiger Beers for the price of two.

The Heliobar has an extended Happy Hour special in the afternoons where you can buy three draft Tiger Beer for the price of two. This means you pay around $15 for three beers plus get the 360-degree view. Compare this to ~$20 entry if there are two of you and $30 if there’s 3, just to visit the Skydeck and it’s a pretty good deal.

If draft Tiger beer is not your style, you’ll pay around $12 for a cocktail. It’s cheaper if you buy them in sets of 5, 8 or 11!!!. It’s $11 for shots, $7 for other local beers, $11 for some of the more exotic imported beers, $5 for a soft drink, $8 for fruit juice or a smoothie and $7 for a bottled imported water. Expensive yes but it’s not like you’re going to do it every day of the week.

In our opinion, the view is worth it. Not until you get up this high do you realize the sheer size of the city. On a clear day, it stretches out to the horizon. It’s also an excellent way to get your orientation with the airport to the north, and other famous landmarks such as Bin Tanh Market, the Rex Hotel, the Municipal Theatre and City Hall all clearly visible. In fact, why not include it as a rest point on one of my self-guided walking tours around Ho Chi Minh City. I’ve mentioned it in my Day 2 itinerary but it could easily be added into Day 1. Perhaps as an alternative to the Rex for sunset drinks.

We were dressed in casual clothes, and nobody seemed too bothered. However, I suggest if you come up for the night view that you put on some glad rags. This place is seriously for the well-heeled, and you might feel a bit self-conscious otherwise.

[mapsmarker marker=”25″]

 

Note: I do not receive any payment for this post (or any others on the site for that matter!). I do receive a small amount of money by allowing advertisements on the site and any purchases made through those links.