The residential skyscrapper Landmark 81 has become the newest icon of Ho Chi Minh City, drastically changing its skyline. With 461,2 metres high, Landmark 81 is the highest building in Vietnam and the highest in South East Asia by the time of its completion in 2018, surpassing the Petronas Towers by 10 metres. Located in the high-end neighbourhood of Binh Thanh and built with an elegant and modern design inspired by bamboo sticks, it is the country’s symbol of growth and prosperity.
It has a stunning observation deck, spanning three floors at almost 400 metres high, which offers a breathtaking 360 panoramic view over the city of Ho Chi Minh and the Saigon River. Landmark 81 also houses the Vinpearl Luxury Hotel and high-end apartments, the Miwaku Premium Restaurant, the Miwaku Cafe Lounge and a high-end shopping center, Vincom Center. Without any doubt, climbing the Landmark 81 has become a must thing to do in Ho Chi Minh.
When the sun goes down, the building is lit with a spectacular set of lights. Thousands of lighting systems, such as LED’s and monochromatic tubes, among others, light up creating different projections that can be seen as far as from 10 kilometers away. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the building was lit every night with a large yellow heart on a red background, in gratitude to the health workers and citizens who helped the fast containment of the virus.
Facts about Landmark 81
- When was Landmark 81 built? The construction began in 2015 and it completed in 2018.
- What is the height of Landmark 81? 461,2 metres high, making it the highest building in Vietnam.
- Can you go up Landmark 81? Yes, you can go up. It has an observation deck spanning floors 79 to 81.
- Who built Landmark 81? Atkins, a British architecture firm.
- How many floors does it have? 81 floors.
- Facilities:
- Vincom Center Shopping Mall with ice-skating ring (floors 1-5).
- Luxury Apartments (floors 6-41).
- Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 Hotel (5*) (floors 42-77).
- Miwaku Cafe Lounge (floor 79).
- Miwaku Premium Restaurant (floor 80).
- Skyview Observation Deck spanning 3 floors: On the Sky (79), Above the Clouds (80), Among the Stars (81).
Where is Landmark 81 located?
Landmark 81 is located in the district of Binh Thanh, within 5 kilometres northeast of District 1. Built on the banks of Saigon River and in the heart of a high-end urban area known as Vinhomes Central Park (insprired by Central Park in New York), the building emerges among a sea of apartment towers, which seem not as tall next to it.
The area is surrounded by a wide green park next to Saigon river, filled with grass spaces, palm trees, walking trails, little observation decks, playgrounds and even a peculiar Japanese Garden. It is a great area to relax, do sport, or just take a walk while enjoying the peace that reigns in the place, far from all the traffic and honking vehicles.
How to get there?
By motorbike
If you are brave enough to drive a scooter in the city with more motorbike per inhabitant in the world, I encourage you to head towards Landmark 81 on it. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes to get there from District 1, depending on the traffic and your driving skills.
By Grab
Grab is the safest and most comfortable way to get to Binh Thanh district. The ride costs around 90.000 VND from District 1 and it gets you right at the door.
By metro
For now is not possible to get there by metro. However, Ho Chi Minh is planning to open its first two subway lines (1 and 2) by 2021. In the following link you can see an “unofficial” map of the suggested HCMC metro system.
Landmark 81 Skyview: the 3-storey observation deck
Landmark 81 observation deck spanns on 3 different floors: “On the Sky” on floor 79, “Above the Clouds” on floor 80 and “Among the Stars” on floor 81. The elevator, that lifts you from 0m to 369,95m within 55 seconds, gets you to floor 79th and from here, you have to climb the stairs to the remaining floors. The walls of the floors are built completely in glass, so as to take the most of Ho Chi Minh City view, obtaining a perfect 360 panoramic picture.
Each floor is fully equipped to satisfy the need of taking selfies that Asian people love so much. For example cloud shaped seats, angel wings on the glass windows, swings, an air balloon model and a photocall. Endless settings to immortalize your observation deck visit and gain a few “likes” on Instagram.
To access the Skyview you first need to enter Vincom Center mall, go down to floor B1 and look for the counter where they sell the tickets.
Landmark 81 Skyview visiting hours and ticket prices
- Visiting hours:
- Monday to Friday from 4:00pm to 9:30pm.
- Saturday and Sunday from 8:30am to 9:30pm.
- Ticket prices:
- Adults: 810.000 VND.
- Children: 405.000 VND.
- What is included: the price includes access to all three floors of the Skyview observation deck, binoculars. There are combos including a cocktail or a coffe at Miwaki Cafe Lounge.
Observation deck discount
Landmark 81 offers “Happy Hours” in which the access price is reduced almost by half. The discount applies on weekdays only and on a reduced schedule.
- “Happy Hour” visiting hours:
- Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm.
- “Happy Hour” ticket price:
- Adults: 500.000 VND.
- Students: 300.000 VND.
- Children (100cm-140cm): 250.000 VND.
Vincom Center: the shopping mall
Vincom Center is a 5 storey shopping mall located at the base of the Landmark tower. Clothing shops, cafés, restaurants, food court, cinema and even an ice-skating ring. It is also where you need to go in order to buy your tickets and access the Skyview.
Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 Hotel (5*)
If you want to treat yourself, you can also spend the night at Landmark 81. The skyscrapper houses the highest 5 star hotel in Vietnam, the Vinpearl Luxury Landmark 81 Hotel. From the 42nd floor until the 47th, a total of 223 luxury rooms awaits you with a modern interior design and astonishing views. Prices ranges from $170 to $565 a night.
The hotel has also a swimming pool in the heights, a gym, spa, a Japanese fusion restaurant, cafe and lounge and, as a hotel guest, you have free access to the Skyview! If I almost convinced you, you can make your reservation right here!
Miwaku Premium Restaurant: dine above the clouds
Miwaku Premium is a restaurant on floor 80 of Landmark 81. Miwaku creates a new style of “Japanese fusion”, blending Japanese gastronomy with European countries cuisine such as Spanish, Italian and French. You can dine inside or outside on their terrace.
Unfortunately I haven’t tried the food, but the atmosphere is most idyllic and the views simply spectacular, with Saigon at your feet. On floor 79 you will also find the Miwaku Cafe Lounge, a cafeteria where you can have a coffee or sip a cocktail while waiting for the sun to go down.
