Bitexco Financial Tower

"Je kunt kaartjes kopen om op het Sky Deck te komen. Beter is, om wat te drinken op de 52e verdieping. Daar kan je zonder ticket heen. De reis naar boven verloopt in 2 etappes. Je moet een keer overstappen in een tweede lift.
Eenmaal op de 51ste word je aan een tafeltje gezet en heb je een waanzinnig uitzicht over de stad. Vraag om een tafeltje aan het raam, en je zit echt naast de afgrond. Niet geschikt als je hoogtevrees hebt. Maar het is helemaal afgesloten, dus er kan je niks gebeuren."

Bitexco Financial Tower

          Visit the Bitexco Financial Tower! - Is it possible, you might think. Yes, it can and it's worth the tower, which is 262 meters high to visit. On the 49th floor you have a wonderful view over Ho Chi Minh City.
This 68-storey tower was designed by the famous American architect Carlos Zapata. The tower houses offices, shops, restaurants and a helipad. It is the fifth office in the list of world's 20 most iconic skyscrapers. The tower is 265.5 meters the highest building in Ho Chi Minh City and is the third highest building in Vietnam (after the Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower and Lotte Center Hanoi). But there's build every year new buildings again.
But its strange shape is worth a visit. Two outstanding features of the building are the helipad that juts 22 meters from the building on the 52nd floor and the view platform (Sky Deck) on the 49th floor.

The tower is to see at any point in the city and therefore it is not to be missed. It is a "landmark" in Ho Chi Minh City. After you've bought a ticket you go up for a great view. You reach the "Sky Deck" with one of the 16 lifts which takes you to the top in 35 seconds. From the Sky Deck you have a breathtaking 360 degree views of the city and the Saigon River. You can also use one of the telescope, which is ready to give you an accurate insight into the life of the city. On deck you will be assisted by an English speaking guide. There are touch screen displays, which tell you exactly all about landmark you see in the city.

Sky Deck

There are also held local art exhibitions at the Sky Deck, where you can buy also souvenirs, like textiles and locally produced tea. This all is at the 49th floor.
On the 50th, 51st and 52nd floor are restaurants. Here you can also enjoy a magnificent view while you're having dinner or lunch. Especially at night there's breathtaking view, when the metropolis is full of lights.

The tower is also well-known for its Bitexco Vertical Run, where competitors race from the ground floor lobby to the Sky Deck by the staircase. The race covers 178 metres with the latest record standing at 4 minutes and 51 seconds. It's held by Germany’s Vertical World Circuit Champion: Thomas Dold.

Floor Plan

Floor	Purpose
Basement 1–3	Parking
Floors G–4	Retail, F&B
Floors 3/4	Cinema, Foodcourt
Floors 7–48	Grade A Office
Floor 49	Observation deck, Saigon Skydeck
Floor 50	EON Cafe
Floor 51	EON 51, fine-dining restaurant
Floor 52	EON Helibar, bar and nightclub
Floors 53–63	Executive Office
Floor 64–68	Mechanical

Uit een reisverslag:

"De lift naar de 51e etage lijkt wel een hoge snelheidstrein. Boven gekomen heb je 2 mogelijkheden: het restaurant of de bar. Wij kozen voor de bar (vrijwel iedereen was onze ervaring ) en moesten wel wat geduld hebben om een paar foto's te kunnen maken. Je hoeft geen entree te betalen maar bent verplicht een of meer drankjes te kopen. Wij kochten voor 115000 vnd een biertje. Dat is zelfs voor westerse begrippen een forse prijs.
Overigens hebben wij niet kunnen ontdekken, hoe ze controleren of je je verplichte drankje ook werkelijk hebt gekocht........"