The Saigon Skydeck is an observatory on the 49th floor of the Bitexco Financial Tower in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The tower is 262 meters tall, with 68 floors, and is meant to resemble a blossoming lotus bud, Vietnam’s national flower.
I visited the Skydeck again the other day for new photos, videos, and up-to-date information. Here’s a video I filmed taking the elevator up (my ears popped) and stepping out onto the 49th floor.
Because of its height and location in downtown District 1 along the Saigon River, the tower is easily seen from all over HCMC. Nearly every visitor to HCMC will, at some point, notice the tower with its helipad sticking out from the 52nd floor.
You can pre-book Skydeck tickets here. The Amanaki Saigon Boutique Hotel (Agoda / Booking) is a nice hotel in a great location in District 1, right across from the Saigon Skydeck.
If you have any questions about visiting the Skydeck or any other things to do in HCMC, ask me and other travelers in my Ho Chi Minh City travel planning group.
Details for Visiting the Saigon Skydeck
| Hours | 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM daily – Last entry 45 minutes before close |
| Location | Google Maps |
| Cost | 240.000 VND (adults), 160.000 VND (children ages 4-12, seniors 65 and older, and disabled persons, FREE for children under 4 years old – can pay with cash or card |
| Best Time to Visit* | During the day with clear skies or just before sunset |
| How Long to Stay | Around 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Other Notes | 360-degree views of HCMC, binoculars, touch screens, air conditioning, bathrooms, souvenir shop, free water with ticket…probably not for people afraid of heights |
Saigon Skydeck Location
The Skydeck is in a convenient location in District 1, just off the popular Nguyen Hue Walking Street. The easiest way to get to the Skydeck is to walk if you’re staying locally. Most of Districts 1 and 3 are walkable. For help choosing a place to stay, see my HCMC area guide.
If you don’t want to walk or are a bit further out, booking a Grab taxi is easy and cheap. You can download the Grab app here. You can add your credit card to the app or pay with cash and have the driver drop you off right at the Skydeck. Read more about getting around HCMC here.
The Hotel Majestic Saigon (Agoda / Booking) is another nearby hotel that’s situated along the Saigon River. For a great budget hotel, look at the Huong Sen (Agoda / Booking), though it’s often sold out because of its great location.
Is the Saigon Skydeck Worth Visiting?
The Saigon Skydeck is worth visiting if you can afford the ticket price. Being 240.000 VND (around $10 USD), it is one of the more expensive attractions in Ho Chi Minh City. I don’t consider it one of the must-see attractions in HCMC, but rather a bonus. Don’t worry if you decide to skip it.
If you’re someone afraid of heights, it may be worth skipping. Otherwise, you may not be able to fully enjoy it. The 49th-floor observatory is just under the helipad. It’s a long way up.
If you do decide to go, pick a day with clear skies because the 360-degree views are amazing. You can also visit just before sunset for more amazing views. As one of the few attractions in HCMC with great air conditioning, the Skydeck is a nice activity to get out of the heat, relax on the cushioned benches, and enjoy the city views.
I navigate HCMC on a motorbike, and I find it interesting to see the roads and routes I’ve taken from a bird’s eye view. It gives you a new perspective on the city’s areas and attractions you’ve already visited or are planning to visit.
Visiting the Saigon Skydeck
The following photos were taken as I purchased my ticket, rode the elevator up to the 49th floor (with wobbly knees and sweaty palms), and walked the loop around the Skydeck.
There’s a great view of the Landmark 81 skyscraper, which is currently the 17th tallest building in the world.
There’s a small souvenir shop with free water. If you’re interested in buying souvenirs in HCMC, I recommend going to the Saigon Central Post Office.
There is also a small ao dai exhibition inside. At the end, there’s a small room with videos on the ao dai.
During my visit, two window washers started cleaning the outside of the tower. Two were ropes hanging down from the sides, and the workers were sitting on small wooden boards, swaying in the breeze. I went outside afterward and filmed them from Nguyen Hue Street.
