At 262 metres height with 68 stories, the Bitexco Financial Tower was named Ho Chi Minh City’s tallest building at the opening ceremony on Sunday night.

The US$270-million building is also the first in Vietnam to have a helicopter pad located on the 50th floor, investor Bitexco Group said, adding the elevator system is the world’s third fastest running at a speed of seven meters per second.

Bitexco tower, which was built in the shape of a lotus bud, includes an 8,000-square-meter trade zone, a 37,000-square meter office block, and an observation station offering visitors a panoramic view of the metropolis from the 47th floor.

Vu Quang Hoi, board chairman of Bitexco Group, said, so far, more than 40 percent of the building’s areas have been leased out to companies.

Reported by Quang Thuan