VietNamNet Bridge - HCM City is known for the helipad perched on the roof of the Bitexco high-rise downtown, but there are quite a few other helipads in the country, most of which are unknown to many Vietnamese.

Keangnam Landmark Tower in Hanoi

At the end of 2010 the investor of the Keangnam Landmark Tower asked the Ministry of Construction’s permission to build a helipad on the roof of this building. The Ministry of Construction told them that the installation and use of a helipad on the roof must comply with the requirements of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army.

Since then, there has been no further information about the installation of a helipad in this building. Even the building's website no longer has information on the helipad. However, from above we can see a helipad on the roof.

The purpose of the building of a helipad on the roof is firstly to serve rescue work in special cases and to serve national security and VIPs. Therefore, it is necessary to have a helipad on the roof of high-rise buildings but the number of heliports on the roof of high-rise buildings in Vietnam is rarely mentioned.

BIDV Tower Building

This 25-story building, owned by the Bank for Investment and Development (BIDV) is located at a very prime location on Tran Quang Khai Street, Hanoi. The building opened in early 2010.

According to the investor before the project kicked off, the building has a helipad on the roof, which can help shorten the travel time from the building to the Noi Bai International Airport to just 15 minutes. However, since then, there has been no additional information about this helipad.

The U.S. International Hospital in Cau Giay District, Hanoi

With a total investment of $50 million, invested by the Keystone Investment Group (USA). By design, the nine-storey building has a helipad on the roof. The project was started in 2006 but it has not been completed.

Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi

The Ministry of Construction has asked the Government’s permission to build a helipad on the roof of the 19-storey building of the Cancer Centre in Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi.  

The helipad will be located on the roof of the high-rise building of the Cancer and Children's Heart Center of Bach Mai Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the country. The building has 19 floors and two basements, with a total floor area of over 45,000 m2, with 500 inpatient beds.

This work is funded by the State budget and Government bonds but the helipad will be built with private capital. The total investment in this building is VND1.3 trillion ($62 million). The project began in 2011 and is expected to be completed and put into use in 2015.

If the proposal is approved, Bach Mai will be the first hospital in Hanoi that has a rooftop helipad.

FLC Complex Tower, Hanoi

Recently, the investor of the high-end condominium project FLC Tower Complex at No. 36 Pham Hung Road, Hanoi said this project was expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016. As introduced, the building will also have a helipad.

Bitexco Tower, HCM City

In Ho Chi Minh City, Bitexco tower (District 1) is known for a unique helipad. The building has a nickname of a lotus blossom with the stamen as the helipad on the top of the building. This helipad is a structure of over 250 tons of steel and more than 4,000 bolts. Previously, the U.S. Embassy in Saigon had a helipad on the roof but after 1975, the helipad was no longer maintained.

Tan Son Nhat Saigon Hotel, HCM City

Tan Son Nhat Saigon Hotel (Phu Nhuan District) opened in December 2012. Located right at the gateway to the international airport of Tan Son Nhat, next to the main road to the city center, the five-star hotel is designed with 15 storeys.

This is also the only hotel in the city with a helipad on the rooftop, ensuring privacy for VIPs.

Diamond Plaza Shopping Center, HCM City

Diamond Plaza Shopping Center (District 1) also has a helipad. On the morning of August 14, 2013, a fire and rescue rehearsal was held here with the participation of two helicopters which rescued people trapped on the building's terrace.

Fideco Tower, District 1, HCM City

Inaugurated in September 2008, the Fideco Tower, an office building for rent in District 1, also owns a helipad. Fideco has 18 stories, one mezzanine and two basements, totaling 20,700 m2, with a total investment of $12 million.

V_Ikon office building, HCM City

V_Ikon office building in Binh Thanh District, with 26 floors and four basements, is being built on a total area of 1,106 m2. This building is also designed with a helipad.

Tam Duc Heart Hospital, District 7

Tam Duc Heart Hospital in District 7 was put into operation in 2006 and also has a helipad for emergencies.

Binh Duong Province administrative center

In Binh Duong Province, the 21-storey provincial administrative center with the height of 104m has a helipad. This huge work was built by Becamex IDC Corporation from 2011 at a cost of VND1.4 trillion ($70 million).

Dong Nai General Hospital, Dong Nai Province

In Dong Nai Province, the Dong Nai General Hospital also has a helipad on the roof of a 18-storey building. This hospital is completing legal procedures to import helicopters from the United States.

FLC Complex, Thanh Hoa Province

In Thanh Hoa Province, on July 19, 2014 the FLC Group held a groundbreaking ceremony for the FLC Complex project at a cost of VND1.2 trillion ($60 million). It is expected that construction will be completed in two years. The 18-storey building will have a helipad on the roof.

Bizlive/VNN