1. Introduction to Tam Thang Tower - The New Symbol of Vung Tau Coastal City

Vung Tau has long been a familiar destination on Southern Vietnam's tourism map, famous for the picturesque Bai Sau, the bustling Bai Truoc, and the sun-drenched coastal roads. However, alongside its inherent natural beauty, this coastal city is gradually renewing its image with iconic structures that are both modern and rich in cultural value. Outstanding among them is Tam Thang Tower – a symbol at Tam Thang Square, a new architectural highlight that is attracting strong interest from local residents and visitors from near and far.

Tam Thang Tower - Vung Tau's new architectural highlight (Source: Collected)

Not merely a construction item in the vast square space by the Bai Sau coast, Tam Thang Tower is positioned as a new identity mark for Vung Tau in the urban-tourism development phase. With its unique design, impressive scale, and historical story associated with the name "Tam Thang", this work quickly becomes a prominent check-in spot, while contributing to reshaping the modern appearance of the coastal area.

Let's explore why this work deserves to be considered the "symbol of Tam Thang Square" and an unmissable destination when visiting Vung Tau in the coming time!

2. Overview of Tam Thang Square & Tam Thang Tower

2.1. Location – Prime coordinates in the center of Bai Sau

Tam Thang Tower is located right in the Bai Sau area – Vung Tau's most famous and tourist-crowded beach, situated at the intersection of Thuy Van and Le Hong Phong streets, within the Tam Thang Square complex. This is considered one of the most "valuable" locations in the city as it directly borders the sea and conveniently connects to the center, accommodation areas, restaurants, and nearby attractions.

Tam Thang Square is located right in the Bai Sau area (Source: Collected)

Thanks to its open, airy, and spacious location, Tam Thang Tower easily comes into view from many directions, becoming a prominent visual landmark, truly a symbol at Tam Thang Square and a new meeting point for locals and tourists when visiting Vung Tau.

2.2. Scale – Tam Thang Square & Coastal Park Complex

The entire Tam Thang Square and Tam Thang Tower complex is planned on a land area of approximately 23,400 m², including an area of over 16,700 m² along Thuy Van street by the sea and two plots of land on either side of Le Hong Phong street.

Of which, the area along Thuy Van street is the main space, where Tam Thang Tower is located, combined with a square and a coastal park – creating the sea-facing facade of the entire project. The two plots adjacent to Le Hong Phong street are arranged with auxiliary items such as parking lots, exhibition areas, service areas, and amenities, serving the needs of sightseeing, living, and experiencing for locals and tourists.

New entertainment spot for Vung Tau people (Source: Collected)

Notably, these functional areas are connected by an arched pedestrian bridge, which seamlessly links the spaces, creating a safe and convenient movement experience and enhancing the iconic nature of the overall architecture.

The combination of the iconic tower with the square and beach park creates an open, modern space that not only meets the needs for sightseeing and photography but is also suitable for outdoor community activities. This scale helps this place become not just a check-in spot, but also a significant cultural and entertainment venue in Vung Tau.

2.3. Role – A New Public Space for Residents and Tourists

Tam Thang Square and Tam Thang Tower are oriented as a new type of public space – a place where iconic architecture, urban culture, and community life intersect. This is a place where residents can come to stroll, exercise, and relax every day; it is also a favorite stop for tourists to visit and take photos when they come to Vung Tau.

Furthermore, with its spaciousness, beautiful location, and modern design, this area has the potential to become a venue for organizing cultural events, festivals, outdoor activities, and art performances for the community and tourism. The harmonious combination of functional utility, aesthetic elements, and symbolic value has helped Tam Thang Tower gradually assert its position as the icon of Tam Thang Square, contributing to refreshing the urban landscape of the coastal city of Vung Tau in a new development phase.

3. Design & Architecture — Iconic Imagery and the Idea Behind It

3.1. Design Process and Concept

Tam Thang Tower is the result of a rigorous selection process through three rounds of architectural idea competitions with the participation of many domestic and international design units. After careful evaluation by the expert council, the proposal by Master, Italian Architect Oliviero Godi and his colleagues was selected.

This design was highly appreciated for its ability to harmonize historical iconic elements with modern architectural language, expressing the spirit of the Vung Tau region while ensuring aesthetic appeal, functionality, and a contemporary touch for the coastal square.

The design of Tam Thang Tower evokes deep historical and cultural values (Source: Collected)

The main idea of the project originates from three ancient villages: Thang Nhat – Thang Nhi – Thang Tam, which were the first communities of residents to pioneer and form the land of Vung Tau during the reign of King Gia Long.

These three villages not only hold historical value but also represent the pioneering spirit, resilience, and community cohesion of the coastal residents. The imagery is thus incorporated into the design as a way to recreate the past through architectural language, signifying both gratitude to the roots and affirmation of the coastal city's unique identity.

3.2. Design Form and Construction Materials

In terms of form, Tam Thang Tower consists of 143 polygonal reinforced concrete pillars, arranged in a unified whole, with increasing heights and facing the sea. When viewed from afar or from above, the entire structure forms the image of three boat prows reaching out to sea.

This image is highly symbolic, directly relating to the lives of fishermen and the aspiration to conquer the ocean of the people of Vung Tau – a city that has always faced the ocean, intimately connected with the sea from the past to the present.

The concrete pillars are clad with reflective mosaic tiles, allowing the surface of the structure to catch light better under the sun. When natural light shines on it, each mosaic piece reflects sparkling colors, evoking the image of the sea surface shimmering with silver light.

Close-up of pillars made from mosaic ceramic tiles (Source: Collected)

Thanks to this, Tam Thang Tower does not remain fixed in a single hue, but continuously changes its appearance according to the time of day and the observer's perspective, creating a vivid visual effect that is particularly attractive for tourists to take photos and check-in.

The highest point of Tam Thang Tower – Mui Vong Canh is located at an altitude of about 3.6m above the square, offering an impressive panoramic view encompassing Bai Sau and the coastal city of Vung Tau. Directly below the observation deck is a semi-basement area of nearly 450m², flexibly arranged with amenities such as a check-in area, cafe, refreshment area… providing a diverse experience for visitors, allowing them to sightsee, relax, and enjoy the fresh sea air.

The pillars of Tam Thang Tower glow against the night sky (Source: Collected)

Especially, when night falls, the artistic LED lighting system is activated, highlighting the entire form of the 143 pillars. The light is processed delicately, both emphasizing the image of "three boat sails" and creating a shimmering, modern space right in the coastal park.

In the evening, Tam Thang Tower becomes a prominent light highlight of Vung Tau city, attracting many residents and tourists to stroll, take photos, and enjoy the night sea air.

4. Cultural – Historical – Symbolic Meanings of Tam Thang Tower

4.1. Symbol of origin – connecting past and present

Inspired by the three ancient villages of Thang Nhat – Thang Nhi – Thang Tam, Tam Thang Tower is not just an architectural work, but also a way of retelling the story of the formation of the Vung Tau land.

Through modern design language, the symbols of the three ancient villages are delicately recreated, helping today's generation and tourists understand more about the pioneering origins of the coastal residents. This is also the cultural depth that creates the sustainable value for the symbol at Tam Thang Square.

4.2. Symbol for the aspiration to reach out to the big sea

The image of three boat sails reaching high, pointing directly to the ocean, not only reminds of the traditional sea-based economy but also symbolizes the aspiration to conquer, expand, and continuously develop of the coastal city.

From a land of early pioneering, Vung Tau today is gradually asserting its position as a tourism – resort – marine economy center of the Southern region. In this flow, Tam Thang Tower becomes a strong visual imprint, representing the sea-oriented spirit and reaching out to the world.

4.3. Symbol of "New Vung Tau" – modern urban appearance

Along with the urban beautification program along Thuy Van – Bai Sau axis, Tam Thang Tower is an important piece that helps shape the new face of the city. The project brings an image of a more modern, dynamic Vung Tau, while still retaining its cultural depth and unique identity.

Tam Thang Tower is the new architectural highlight of Vung Tau (Source: Collected)

Thanks to its central location at Tam Thang Square, the work has quickly become a new identity symbol for Vung Tau, frequently appearing in publications, tourism promotion images, and city communications – truly a "symbol at Tam Thang Square" in the new development phase.

4.4. Community living – tourism – entertainment space

Not only symbolic, Tam Thang Tower also serves as an open public space for residents and tourists. The surrounding area is an ideal place for walking, exercising, taking photos, organizing cultural – artistic activities, light shows, and outdoor events.

This helps the work not be "framed" as a standalone monument, but rather become a vibrant part of the city's life, contributing to enhancing tourist experiences and improving the quality of the coastal urban space.

Not just a modern architectural work, Tam Thang Tower is also a crystallization of the history, culture, and development aspirations of Vung Tau through many generations. Inspired by the three ancient villages of Thang Nhat – Thang Nhi – Thang Tam, the work both reminds of the pioneering origins and expresses the spirit of reaching out to the big sea of a city always looking towards the ocean.

Amidst the open space of Tam Thang Square and Bai Sau coastal park, Tam Thang Tower stands out as a new identity mark, contributing to changing the urban landscape and elevating the tourism experience for the coastal city. From its bright daytime sunshine to its sparkling nighttime artistic lights, this place deserves to be considered the symbol at Tam Thang Square – an unmissable stop when visiting Vung Tau.