Just recently I had the opportunity to visit the latest, still in-progress addition to Saigon’s skyline, SaigonOne. It’s not attempting to compete with the Bitexco Tower in either size nor style, but it is hoping to operate in a much greener fashion. It was a beautiful morning to take in the views from on high this massive metropolitan spread. Below are a few of the sights my eyes and lens took in.
Below is the financial and downtown districts of Saigon. District 2, planned to be the new cbd sometime in the future, yet still very undeveloped, lies across the river. The large building straight ahead, Saigon’s first real skyscraper, Bitexco Financial Tower, which boasts a helipad jutting out of the 50th floor, rose to dominate the skyline in 2010.
A view of District 1 and 4, split by the river, as seen from the freight elevator on the way to the top.
Looking out a different direction. District 4 lies ahead, District 2 to the left, and District 7, where I call home, in the distance.
Looking from one helipad to another. The funny is that no one in Vietnam has a helicopter to land on either one, and the actual safety of doing so is sort of still yet to be determined.
This is also one of Saigon’s recent modernizations. The way between District 1 and District 2, is now connected by a tunnel that runs under the river, drastically cutting the travel time.
And finally, just something I saw while I was up in the tower that I thought was cool. Protective covering still covers the windows during construction, yet some rips and holes in it allow for a bit of in-camera photoshop as it were.
A few more frames can be found in this archived gallery.
Really beautiful pictures – loved these.
Very insightful for those of us only familiar with Saigon from war photos. It looks like anyplace in China! Thanks for showing. Perhaps some close ups of a section if the panorama photos would add to the impact .
Great work with awesome photos at high view. Thank you for your post.
Beautiful pics of a beautiful city in Vietnam. Thank You for posting them. I hope to visit soon.