The new building reinforces the Bank's long-term commitment to Vietnam as a key growth market within ASEAN
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 01 July 2026 – UOB Vietnam today announced the official commencement of construction of its new headquarters building, UOB Plaza Ho Chi Minh City, becoming the first foreign bank to develop and own a purpose-built headquarters within the Vietnam International Financial Centre – Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC HCMC). The Grade A office tower, designed in line with international sustainability standards, is expected to be completed in 2030.
With a total investment of approximately US$450 million, UOB Plaza HCMC reflects the Bank’s long-term commitment to Vietnam as a core market within its ASEAN strategy. The development underscores UOB’s confidence in Vietnam’s long-term growth and reflects the Bank’s support for Ho Chi Minh City’s ambition to become a leading international financial centre. By establishing its Vietnam headquarters within the VIFC HCMC, UOB is strengthening its role in supporting Vietnam's growing connectivity with regional and global capital, trade and investment flows.
With the completion of UOB Plaza Ho Chi Minh City, UOB will establish its full headquarters footprint across its five core ASEAN markets – Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. This reinforces UOB's unique position as a regional bank with deep local presence across ASEAN, enabling it to better support clients' cross-border ambitions.
Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UOB, said: "Vietnam is a key pillar of UOB's regional strategy. Our new headquarters reflects our confidence in Vietnam's future and our support for Ho Chi Minh City's ambition to become an international financial centre. Having our own headquarters buildings in all five of our key markets underscores our long-term commitment to the region, its businesses and communities. Through our extensive network, we are uniquely positioned to deepen connectivity across the region and create greater value for our 8.5 million customers."
Located at 2 Ton Duc Thang Street within the Ba Son precinct, UOB Plaza Ho Chi Minh City occupies a prime riverside site at the heart of the VIFC HCMC. Developed on a 4,571-square-metre site, the 36-storey tower will rise 160 metres above the Saigon River and serve as UOB's flagship headquarters in Vietnam. Designed by leading global architecture and design firm Gensler, the project will be built to international Grade A standards with a commitment to achieving BCA Green Mark certification while supporting the functional needs of a modern financial institution within the city’s emerging financial centre.
Envisioned as a future-ready workplace, UOB Plaza HCMC goes beyond the traditional office model. It is designed to support evolving workstyles through flexible layouts, collaborative shared spaces and greater access to natural light and greenery, fostering both innovation and employee well-being.
Thoughtfully tailored to Vietnam’s tropical climate, the building incorporates climate-responsive design features to enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort, in line with international ESG standards. Beyond its functional role, the Plaza is conceived as a space that brings together art, nature and local identity, contributing to a more vibrant, inclusive and culturally resonant urban environment within the VIFC HCMC.
Looking ahead, UOB will continue to strengthen its capabilities to better serve customers and support Vietnam’s growing connectivity with regional and global markets. In line with this commitment, UOB intends to establish a branch presence within the VIFC HCMC and will continue to work closely with government agencies, industry partners and key stakeholders to contribute to the Centre's development and strengthen its position as an internationally connected financial hub.
Through its strong regional network, sector expertise and cross‑border capabilities, UOB is well positioned to support businesses and investors seeking opportunities in Vietnam and across ASEAN, while contributing to the country’s long‑term economic development and international integration.
Factsheet
About UOB Plaza HCMC
Location: No.02 Ton Duc Thang Street, HCMC (Ba Son), Vietnam
Site area: 4,571 m2
Building Height: 160m
Floor: 36 Storeys + 4 Basements
Concept Architect: Gensler
5 key design highlights
1. A Design Rooted in Asian Heritage – The “Shell” Concept
The architectural vision of UOB Plaza draws inspiration from the shell - one of Asia’s earliest forms of currency, symbolising trade, prosperity and continuity. This concept reflects UOB’s deep Asian roots while expressing a forward-looking identity, creating a design language that seamlessly bridges heritage and innovation.
2. A Sail-Inspired Form Capturing Movement and Connectivity
The tower’s sleek, sculptural form is inspired by a sailing vessel, evoking motion, openness and connection. Oriented towards the Saigon River, the design maximises waterfront views while symbolising UOB’s role in facilitating flows of capital, trade and ideas across the region.
3. Terracotta as a Defining Architectural Element
UOB Plaza integrates terracotta thoughtfully within its façade to create a refined architectural expression. Drawing inspiration from Vietnam’s rich heritage of glazed ceramics, terracotta is reinterpreted as an integral element of the tower’s architectural identity, shaping both its visual expression and spatial experience.
4. A Climate-Responsive Design for the Tropical Environment
Designed specifically for Vietnam’s tropical climate, the building integrates Low-E heat-reducing glass, terracotta shading fins, and solar energy solutions. These features work together to reduce heat gain, enhance natural daylight and improve energy efficiency-resulting in a high-performance, environmentally responsive building that goes beyond standard ESG compliance.
5. A Vertical Ecosystem Blending People, Nature and Art
UOB Plaza is conceived as a “vertical ecosystem”- a multi-layered environment that integrates open collaboration spaces, seamless circulation, natural light and greenery. The arrival experience is elevated through art installations and curated landscape elements such as bonsai, creating a space where people, nature and culture intersect, and where work, community and creativity come together.
UOB Vietnam commenced operations officially on 2 July 2018. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UOB, a leading bank in Asia with a global network of about 430 branches and offices in 19 markets in Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America.
UOB has been in Vietnam for over 30 years, started from a representative office in 1993 and became the first Singapore bank to launch a branch in the country in 1995. Today, UOB Vietnam offers a range of personal and institutional financial services to both Vietnamese and overseas customers across the country backed by the seamless connectivity offered through UOB’s regional network. In 2019, UOB Vietnam expanded into northern Vietnam with a branch in Hanoi. With the completion of the acquisition of Citibank Vietnam’s consumer banking business early 2023, UOB now has a total five branches in Ho Chi Minh city and Hanoi.
For more than nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.
The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of education, children and art, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.
