HCM City (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City took a major step toward establishing itself as a global financial hub with the opening of the Saigon Marina International Financial Centre (Saigon Marina IFC) Tower on August 19, one of the 80 landmark projects launched to celebrate Vietnam’s 80th National Day (September 2).
In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc described the tower as a convergence point for capital, technology, and talent, positioning it as a home to multinational corporations, global financial institutions, and springboard for startups and innovation.
“Today’s milestone represents an important leap toward transforming HCM City into an international financial centre, a critical growth driver for Vietnam’s economy in its next phase,” he said, calling the project a vivid testament to the Party, State and Government’s resolve and the business community’s creativity and dedication.
Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said Saigon Marina IFC Tower, the first facility in the HCM City IFC zone, will serve as a hub for multinationals, financial institutions, consulates, and local enterprises. He called it a new symbol of prosperity for the city, shaping a modern “live-work-play” ecosystem. The tower, he added, is a symbol of Vietnam in the era of green growth, digitalisation, and integration.
Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, standing Vice Chairwoman of HDBank and representative of the project’s investor, underscored private enterprises' role under the Politburo’s Resolution 68, pointing to more than 250 projects inaugurated or starting construction nationwide on the same day as proof of Vietnam’s unity, ambition, and resilience.
Developed and operated with advisory support from Singapore’s Keppel Group, Saigon Marina IFC ranks among Vietnam’s top three tallest buildings. Spanning over 106,000 sq.m across 55 above-ground floors and five basement levels, it allocates 87,000 sq.m to Grade A office space, and the rest to a shopping mall, restaurants, meeting halls, and premium amenities.
Built to LEED Gold standards, the tower incorporates energy-efficient systems and dedicates over 30% of its footprint to green spaces. An LED façade capable of artistic light displays, coupled with a musical fountain plaza, is intended to make the building a “beacon” of modern urban economy. It is also Vietnam’s first project to adopt a transit-oriented development model, with direct access to Ba Son Station on Metro Line No.1.
Under the National Assembly’s Resolution 222/2025/QH15, the international financial centre in HCM City is a long-term strategy to channel regional capital flows into Vietnam. It envisions a cluster of major financial institutions, investment funds, and banks, supported by fintech sandbox, international commodity and derivatives exchanges, and logistics and port services. Saigon Marina IFC is the first anchor project, offering global-standard infrastructure to financial institutions, businesses, and investors worldwide./.
