Riverside Luxury Mixed-Use Development
Empire City Thu Thiem
Empire City Thu Thiem is a mixed-use development of about 14.6 hectares in Functional Zone 2 of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area (An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), directly across the Saigon River from District 1. The masterplan includes luxury apartments, offices, a hotel, a shopping mall and an 88-storey multi-purpose tower, with nearly 3,800 apartments on full completion.
Three residential zones – Linden Residences, Tilia Residences and Cove Residences – have handed over more than 1,200 apartments and are now occupied. Narra Residences is the next phase. For buyers, Empire City is one of the few riverside luxury projects in Thu Thiem where you can view a finished home and the real view, and move in right away through the resale market.
A Landmark On The Saigon River
Developer: Empire City LLC
The project is developed by Empire City Joint Venture Company Limited (Empire City LLC), with Tien Phuoc, Tran Thai and foreign partners. In August 2026, Keppel Land signed an agreement to transfer its entire 40% stake, expected to complete in Q4/2026.
Thu Thiem – The New Financial Core
Located in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area – planned as Ho Chi Minh City’s new financial centre – Empire City faces District 1 across the Saigon River and connects to it via Thu Thiem 2 Bridge.
Architecture by Büro Ole Scheeren
The masterplan was designed by Büro Ole Scheeren, with staggered towers, sky gardens and river-facing infinity pools – a silhouette easy to recognise from District 1.
Project Overview
| Project name | Empire City Thu Thiem |
| Developer | Empire City Joint Venture Company Limited (Empire City LLC). Keppel Land is divesting its 40% stake, expected to complete in Q4/2026 |
| Location | Thu Thiem New Urban Area, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Thu Duc City) |
| Address | Functional Zone 2, Thu Thiem New Urban Area, fronting Mai Chi Tho Boulevard and the Saigon River |
| Scale | Total site area: about 14.6 ha; gross floor area over 763,000 m²; nearly 3,800 apartments
|
| Product types | 1–4 bedroom apartments, duplexes, penthouses, offices, hotel, shopping mall |
| Handover standard | High-end finishes with imported fittings (details vary by zone) |
| Ownership |
|
| Architect | Büro Ole Scheeren |
| Views | Saigon River, District 1 skyline, Landmark 81 (depending on unit) |
Real Photos Of Empire City Thu Thiem
Completed Cove Residences
River view from a 3-bed Cove unit
Living room facing the Saigon River
Get a Quote for October
Our consultants will send a quote for the Empire City Thu Thiem update on October 12, 2026, as soon as possible!
Empire City Thu Thiem Location
Set in the heart of the Thu Thiem New Urban Area on the Saigon River, Empire City links the energy of the city’s future financial centre with a calm, refined riverside home.
From Empire City, residents reach District 1 (Saigon Opera House, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market) via Thu Thiem 2 Bridge or the Thu Thiem Tunnel. Mai Chi Tho Boulevard leads straight to the HCMC – Long Thanh – Dau Giay Expressway. Travel times below are estimates in light traffic.
About 3 minutes
- To Thu Thiem 2 Bridge into District 1
- To Thu Thiem Central Square
About 5–10 minutes
- To the Saigon Opera House
- To Nguyen Hue Walking Street
- To Notre-Dame Cathedral
About 10–15 minutes
- To Ben Thanh Market
- To the Independence Palace
About 25–30 minutes
To Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Empire City Thu Thiem Masterplan
Empire City is divided into several land lots developed in phases across about 14.6 ha. The real photo below shows the three completed zones: Linden Residences (MU4) with its high-rise towers, and Tilia Residences (MU7) and Cove Residences (MU11) on the riverfront. The remaining land – including the lot for the 88-storey tower and Narra Residences – is awaiting completion of land procedures.
1Linden Residences4 towers · 510 units · handed overFloor plans →2Tilia Residences4 towers · 472 units · handed overFloor plans →3Cove Residences2 low-rise buildings · 136 units · handed overFloor plans →4Narra ResidencesNext phaseFloor plans →
588-storey multi-purpose towerNot yet started
6Offices, hotel, shopping mallAs planned
Unit counts per zone are based on published information. Detailed floor plans (in Vietnamese): Empire City floor plans.
Amenities And Real Living Spaces At Empire City
Tilia pool and landscaped grounds
Cove Residences infinity pool
Tilia Residences swimming pool
Finished apartment living room
Island kitchen in a 3-bed Cove unit
River-facing bedroom
Video tour of Linden Residences amenities – Empire City
Take a look at the pools, gardens and resident facilities at Linden Residences.
Get a Quote for October
Our consultants will send a quote for the Empire City Thu Thiem update on October 12, 2026, as soon as possible!
Linden Residences
The First Phase, Already Handed Over
Linden Residences
- 4 towers T1A, T1B, T2A, T2B – 510 units
- 1-bedroom: about 63 m²
- 2-bedroom: about 92–93 m²
- 3-bedroom: about 127–148 m²
- Penthouses, some with a private pool
Tilia Residences
Pools And Gardens In The Heart Of Thu Thiem
Tilia Residences
- 4 towers T1C, T1D, T2C, T2D – 472 units
- 1–3 bedroom apartments
- Duplex units
- High-floor penthouses
- Handed over and occupied
Cove Residences
- 2 low-rise riverfront buildings – 136 units, the smallest zone
- Large 2–4 bedroom units, duplexes, penthouses
- Infinity pool facing the Saigon River
- Handed over; a 3-bed unit is currently leased at VND 105 million/month
Narra Residences
- Phase 4 of Empire City
- 1-bedroom about 62 m², 2-bedroom 92–128 m²
- 3-bedroom 135–148 m², 4-bedroom 162–166 m²
- Timing depends on land procedures – contact us for updates
Empire City Thu Thiem Gallery
Night-time masterplan rendering
Cove infinity pool (real photo)
Bedroom in a 3-bed Cove unit
Linden – Tilia – Cove (real photo)
Tilia landscaped grounds
Living room and open kitchen
District 1 view from Thu Thiem
Cove Residences from above
Rendering on full completion
Indicative prices · Updated 10/2026
Empire City Thu Thiem Prices – October 2026
Empire City currently trades mainly on the resale market in its three completed zones. Prices vary by zone, floor, river view and furnishing – typically from around VND 200 million/m² upwards.
1 bedroom
50–65 m²
10 – 14.5 bn VND
50–65 m²
10 – 14.5 bn VND
2 bedrooms
60–110 m²
14 – 26 bn VND
60–110 m²
14 – 26 bn VND
Most traded
3 bedrooms
120–150 m²
25 – 60 bn VND
3 bedrooms
120–150 m²
25 – 60 bn VND
4 bedrooms
148–230 m²
42 – 110 bn VND
148–230 m²
42 – 110 bn VND
Penthouse
about 355–408 m²
130 – 250 bn VND
about 355–408 m²
130 – 250 bn VND
Source: Nha Dau Tu magazine, 06/08/2026. Prices exclude transfer fees, taxes and management fees; this is not the developer’s official price list.
What rental yield does Empire City offer?
A real example: a 3-bedroom unit at Cove Residences currently leased out.
105 mVND rent per month
1.26 bnVND rent per year
2–5%gross yield per year (estimate)
Best suited to buyers who will live in the home or hold it long term, rather than those seeking high rental income.
Legal update · 2026
Empire City Legal Status And Progress – 2026 Update
1,200+apartments handed over
3/9land lots with land use certificates
VND 5,300 bnadditional land use fees paid
~3,800apartments on full completion
Key milestones
Q4/2015
Construction started, originally planned in 4 phases.
Completed
Handover of Linden, Tilia and Cove Residences – over 1,200 units, now occupied.
05/08/2026
Empire City LLC paid nearly VND 5,300 billion in additional land use fees.
06/08/2026
Keppel Land signed an agreement to transfer its 40% stake (USD 270 million) to Denver Power Vietnam and Golden Axis (Tran Thai – Tien Phuoc).
Q4/2026
Stake transfer expected to complete, ending arbitration disputes between the joint venture partners.
No date yet
The 88-storey tower and remaining phases – pending completion of land procedures.
Before you pay a deposit on a resale unit
- Review the original sale and purchase agreement and its appendices
- Check the apartment handover record
- Ask about the certificate (pink book) status of that specific unit
- Confirm the seller has paid the developer in full
- Foreign buyers: confirm the unit is within the foreign ownership quota
Contact Info Realty for help reviewing the documents before you pay a deposit.
Sources: Nha Dau Tu magazine and The Leader, 06/08/2026.
Info Realty assessment
Is Empire City Worth Buying? Pros And Considerations
Pros
- Riverside location in the core of Thu Thiem, facing District 1
- Three zones already handed over – see the real home and view, move in right away
- Architecture by Büro Ole Scheeren; Cove has only 136 units, for low resident density
- Full range of units, from 1-bedroom to penthouses with private pools
- Shareholding restructured and additional land use fees paid
Considerations
- Among the highest prices in eastern HCMC; gross rental yield only about 2–5% a year
- Most of the land is still undeveloped; construction of later phases may run for years
- No start date yet for the 88-storey tower and major retail facilities
- Certificate status differs from unit to unit – check carefully
Who is Empire City right for?
Great fit
Families buying to live
Want to move in now in Thu Thiem, with river views and an upscale community.
Good fit
Long-term asset holders
Accept a lower rental yield in exchange for a scarce riverside location.
Think twice
Need high cash flow or budget under VND 10 bn
Compare other projects in the area before deciding.
Info Realty’s view: Empire City is one of the strongest choices for buyers who want to live in Thu Thiem now, with river views. For a comparison with other luxury projects in Thu Thiem and District 1, contact Info Realty on 0902 247 239 (Zalo/WhatsApp).
Frequently Asked Questions About Empire City Thu Thiem
Who is the developer of Empire City Thu Thiem?
The developer is Empire City Joint Venture Company Limited (Empire City LLC), a joint venture involving Tien Phuoc and Tran Thai. In August 2026, Keppel Land signed an agreement to transfer its entire 40% stake to Denver Power Vietnam and Golden Axis, expected to complete in Q4/2026.
How much do Empire City apartments cost?
According to press reports from August 2026, 1-bedroom units cost about VND 10–14.5 billion, 2-bedroom VND 14–26 billion, 3-bedroom VND 25–60 billion, 4-bedroom VND 42–110 billion and penthouses VND 130–250 billion. Actual prices depend on the zone, floor and view.
Which residential zones make up Empire City?
The residential zones are Linden Residences (510 units), Tilia Residences (472 units) and Cove Residences (136 units) – all three handed over – plus Narra Residences as the next phase. The masterplan also includes an 88-storey multi-purpose tower, offices, a hotel and a shopping mall.
Is Zeit River part of Empire City?
No. Zeit River is a separate project by GS E&C (South Korea) on lot 3-11 along Nguyen Co Thach Street. It is also in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area but is not part of the Empire City complex.
Has the Empire City 88-storey tower been built?
Not yet. According to press reports from August 2026, the 88-storey tower and remaining components have not started because of pending land procedures. Land use right certificates have so far been issued for 3 of the 9 land lots.
Can foreigners buy an apartment at Empire City?
Yes. Foreigners may own an apartment for up to 50 years, within the legal quota for each building. When buying a resale unit, confirm the unit is still within the quota for foreign ownership.
What rent can an Empire City apartment earn?
A real example: a 3-bedroom unit at Cove Residences is leased at VND 105 million per month. The estimated gross rental yield is about 2–5% a year, depending on the purchase price.
