What is Grade A Office Space? Building Classification Types

Grade A offices are high-quality office spaces typically distinguished by their location, building quality, floor plate design, technical systems, property management, and amenities. Compared with Grade B and Grade C offices, Grade A buildings generally meet higher standards for building specifications and services. However, businesses should assess each building based on their operational requirements, space needs, and actual budget before making a leasing decision.

1. Grade A Office Space?

A Grade A office is a high-quality office category in the commercial real estate market, typically assessed based on multiple factors, including location, building quality, floor plate efficiency, technical systems, property management, and amenities.

Grade A offices are often preferred by businesses with higher requirements for the working environment, operational standards, employee and client experience, and corporate image. However, company size alone does not determine whether a Grade A office is the right choice.

In Vietnam, the classification of offices into Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C is primarily used to compare building quality within the office market, rather than as a mandatory certification applied uniformly to every development. Therefore, the “Grade A” designation should be treated as an initial screening reference before businesses assess the specific criteria and specifications of each building.

2. How do Grade A, B, and C offices differ?

The main differences between Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C offices lie in overall building quality, operational standards, location, and rental costs. A higher office grade generally comes with better building specifications and services, although it may not be the most suitable option for every business.

2.1 Characteristics of Grade A offices

Grade A offices are typically located in prime CBD locations or well-connected commercial and office districts. These buildings generally offer high standards across floor plate design, technical systems, common areas, amenities, and property management.

2.2 Characteristics of Grade B offices

Grade B offices generally offer good building quality and operational standards, with convenient locations that are not necessarily within the core CBD. This segment is suitable for businesses seeking a balance between workplace quality, office space, and rental budget.

2.3 Characteristics of Grade C offices

Grade C offices primarily meet basic requirements for workspace and day-to-day operations. Rental rates are generally lower than those of Grade A and Grade B offices in the same area, making this segment suitable for businesses focused on cost control or those with less demanding requirements for building systems and amenities.

2.4 Quick comparison of Grade A, B, and C offices

The comparison above provides a quick overview of the differences between the three office grades. When assessing a specific building, businesses should consider multiple criteria together rather than determining its grade based on a single feature.

3. Criteria for grading Grade A-B-C buildings according to international standards

Each country has its own system of grading Grade A, B, C for different office rental markets, and it is not entirely mandatory. These standards depend on the conditions of the local market, without general imposition, varying according to each country.

For example, in Hong Kong, parking standards are indispensable, but in the UK market, this is not an important factor. Australia’s market places high importance on environmental factors, but many countries do not emphasize this issue. Meanwhile, Japan is particularly concerned with superior safety indices in the Asian region.

Below, we would like to present to you the set of criteria for grading buildings researched and published by the “Moscow Research Forum”, including CBRE – Noble Gibbons – Colliers International – Cushman & Wakefield – Jones Lang LaSalle. Office buildings that do not meet Grade B standards will be considered Grade C buildings.

4. Should businesses lease Grade A, B, or C office space? 

Businesses should select an office grade based on their budget, preferred location, space requirements, operational needs, and the role the office plays in their corporate image. A higher office grade is not necessarily the better choice, as each business has its own set of priorities.

• Grade A offices: Suitable for businesses that prioritize location, building quality, operational systems, and corporate image. Typical occupiers include corporations, FDI companies, banks, financial institutions, technology companies, law firms, and consulting firms.
• Grade B offices: Suitable for businesses seeking a balance between building quality and rental budget, particularly those requiring relatively large office space while maintaining a professional working environment.
• Grade C offices: Suitable for businesses focused on cost control, requiring a functional office space, or having less demanding requirements for building amenities and operational standards.

Headcount alone does not determine which office grade a business should choose. A company with 30–50 employees may still opt for a Grade A office if it regularly receives clients or places a high priority on its corporate image. Conversely, a company with hundreds of employees may choose a Grade B office to secure more space within the same budget.

5. List of outstanding Grade A offices

5.1 Grade A offices in Ho Chi Minh City

Image	Building
	01. Deutsches Haus Address: 33 Le Duan, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 25 levels and 4 basements
	02. Saigon Marina IFC Address: 02 Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 55 floors – 4.5 basements
	03. The Nexus Address: 3A – 3B Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 35 floors & 05 basements
	04. Saigon Centre Tower 2 Address: 92 – 94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 18 floors and 6 basements
	05. Saigon Times Square Address: 22 – 36 Nguyen Hue, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 39 floors – 1 ground floor and 3 basements (8 floors office space)
	06. Riverfront Financial Centre Address: 3A – 3B Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 25 upper floors – 5 basements
	07. Vietcombank Tower Address: 05 Cong Truong Me Linh, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 36 floors and 4 basements
	08. Bitexco Financial Tower Address: 02 Hai Trieu, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 68 floors and 3 basements, office space from 7th – 54th floor
	09. Friendship Tower Address: 31 Le Duan, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 21 floors – 4 basements (18 office floors)

10. Daikin Tower Address: 10 Cong Truong Quoc Te, Xuan Hoa Ward, (District 3) HCMC Height: 13 floors – 03 basements

>> Grade A Office Buildings in HCMC 

5.2 List of Grade A offices in Hanoi

Image	Building
	01. Capital Place Address: 29 Lieu Giai, Ngoc Ha Ward, (Ba Dinh District) Hanoi Height: 2 blocks with 37 floors, 3 basements
	02. LPB Tower Address: 17 Tong Dan & 210 Tran Quang Khai, Hoan Kiem Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 22 floors and 4 basements
	03. BRG Tower Address: 198 Tran Quang Khai, Cua Nam Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 21 floors and 4 basements
	04. Cornerstone Building Address: 16 Phan Chu Trinh, Cua Nam Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 14 floors and 3 basements
	05. Press Club Address: 59A Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 7 Floors
	06. Leadvisors Place Address: 41A Ly Thai To, Hoan Kiem Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 9 floors and 3 basements
	07. Pacific Place Address: 83B Ly Thuong Kiet, Cua Nam Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 19 floors and 5 basements
	08. Grand Terra Address: 36 Cat Linh, O Cho Dua Ward, (Dong Da District) Hanoi Height: 8 floors – 05 basements
	09. HCO Building Address: 44B Ly Thuong Kiet, Cua Nam Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 18 office floors

10. International Centre Address: 17 Ngo Quyen, Hoan Kiem Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 8 floors and 2 basements

>> Grade A Office Buildings in Hanoi

6. List of typical Grade B offices

6.1 Grade B offices in Ho Chi Minh City

Image	Building
	01. Opera View Building Address: 161 Dong Khoi, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 7 floors – 1 ground floor – 1 basement
	02. The Waterfront Saigon Address: 1-1A-2 Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 27 floors – 10 office floors, 4 basement
	03. 9 Ton Duc Thang Tower Address: 09-11 Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 34 floors – 1 ground floor – 2 basements
	04. Riverbank Place Address: 3C Ton Duc Thang, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 22 floors and 3 basements
	05. Wondersea Building Address: 16 Phan Dinh Giot, Tan Son Hoa Ward, (Tan Binh District) HCMC Height: 12 floors – 03 basement
	06. The Crest Office Address: Lot 1.13, Thu Thiem New Urban Area, An Khanh Ward, (District 2) HCMC Height: 24 floors – 03 basement
	07. Empress Tower Address: 138-142 Hai Ba Trung, Tan Dinh Ward, (District 1), HCMC Height: 17 floors – 1 ground floor – 2 basements
	08. Petrovietnam Tower Address: 01 Le Duan, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 21 floors and 2 basements
	09. Yteco Tower Address: 181 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, Xuan Hoa Ward, (District 3) HCMC Height: 12 floors – 1 mezzanine & 3 basements

10. CJ Tower Address: 06 Le Thanh Ton, Sai Gon Ward, (District 1) HCMC Height: 20 floors, 2 mezzanine floors, and 2 basements

>> Grade B Office Buildings in HCMC 

6.2 Grade B offices in Hanoi

Image	Building
	01. Asia Tower Address: 06 Nha Tho Street, Hoan Kiem Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 8 floors and 1 basement
	02. DOJI Tower Address: 05 Le Duan, Ba Dinh Ward, (Ba Dinh District) Hanoi Height: 16 floors and 3 basements
	03. Daeha Business Center Address: 360 Kim Ma, Giang Vo Ward, (Ba Dinh District) Hanoi Height: 15 floors
	04. Hong Ha Center Address: 25 Ly Thuong Kiet, Cua Nam Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 13 floors and 2 basements, office floor from 3 – 13rd floor
	05. VCCI Tower Address: 09 Dao Duy Anh, Kim Lien Ward, (Dong Da District) Hanoi Height: 25 floors and 4 basements
	06. Peakview Tower Address: 36 Hoang Cau, O Cho Dua Ward, (Dong Da District) Hanoi Height: 21 floors and 3 basements
	07. Minexport Tower Address: 28 Ba Trieu, Cua Nam Ward, (Hoan Kiem District) Hanoi Height: 10 upper floors and 1 basement
	08. The West Address: 265 Cau Giay, Cau Giay Ward, (Cau Giay District) Hanoi Height: 37 floors including 31 office floors, 6 commercial floors and 4 basements
	09. Eurowindow Ton That Tung Address: 2 Ton That Tung, Kim Lien Ward, (Dong Da District) Hanoi Height: 17 floors and 3 basements

10. VP Bank Tower Address: 89 Lang Ha, Lang Ward, (Dong Da District) Hanoi Height: 29 floors and 03 basements

>> Grade B Office Buildings in Hanoi 

7. What to check before leasing a Grade A office

When viewing a building marketed as a Grade A office, businesses should assess three key areas: building quality, operational standards, and actual lease terms. This approach helps determine whether the building is suitable for the business rather than relying solely on its advertised office grade.

• Building quality: Check the location, floor plate, ceiling height, air-conditioning system, elevators, backup power, fire protection systems, parking facilities, and access control. The floor plan should also be reviewed against the proposed workplace layout and headcount to assess space efficiency.
• Operational standards: Confirm the building’s operating hours, after-hours air conditioning, security, visitor management, maintenance, and incident response procedures. Some factors can only be properly assessed during an on-site inspection and through discussions with the building management team.
• Lease terms: Compare the rental rate, service charge, VAT, parking fees, after-hours air-conditioning charges, security deposit, and payment schedule. Businesses should also clarify the rent-free fit-out period, lease term, and office reinstatement requirements.

Businesses should compare shortlisted buildings using the same set of criteria and total occupancy cost. Even a high-quality building may not suit a company’s operating model if it has limitations related to parking, air-conditioning hours, or lease terms.

Using a consistent set of criteria also helps businesses narrow down their shortlist and establish a clearer basis for comparing options before entering lease negotiations.

Maison Office assists businesses in defining their office requirements, shortlisting suitable buildings, checking current availability and rental rates, and arranging property viewings. Once a suitable option has been identified, the advisory team can further assist with cost comparisons, lease negotiations, and the review of key commercial terms before the lease agreement is signed.

Contact Maison Office to receive a shortlist of Grade A, B, and C offices based on your preferred location, space requirements, and rental budget.

8. Frequently asked questions about Grade A offices

8.1 What is the difference between Grade A and Grade A+ offices?

Grade A+ should not be understood as a standardized office classification applied across the entire market. BOMA uses the Class A, B, and C system in its office building classification definitions. When the term A+ is used, businesses should check the criteria applied by the information provider rather than assuming that A+ represents an official certification above Grade A.

8.2 Can a building outside the city center be classified as Grade A?

Yes. Location is an important factor, but office classification also depends on factors such as building quality, technical systems, amenities, and accessibility. Businesses should assess a property relative to competing office buildings in the same market and at the same point in time, rather than treating a CBD location as the sole requirement for Grade A classification.

8.3 Is LEED certification mandatory for Grade A offices?

No. LEED certification alone should not be used to determine whether an office building qualifies as Grade A. LEED assesses factors related to green building performance and sustainability, while office classification considers a broader range of criteria, including location, building quality, technical systems, amenities, and market competitiveness. LEED should therefore be considered an additional attribute when comparing office buildings.

8.4 Do Grade A offices have to be located in the CBD?

No. A development outside the CBD can still offer high standards of construction, technical systems, property management, and accessibility. Location should be assessed alongside the building’s overall specifications and compared with competing office supply in the same area, particularly in emerging business districts where new clusters of high-quality office buildings are developing.

8.5 Should businesses choose a Grade A or Grade B office?

Grade A offices are suitable for businesses that prioritize building standards, operational quality, location, and client experience. Grade B offices may be more suitable for businesses seeking a balance between quality, space, and rental budget. Before making a decision, businesses should compare available options based on the same space requirements and total occupancy cost.

Bui Duc Huy

Editor and content team manager at Maison Office.

With over 5 years of experience in consulting and extensive content editing in the real estate services and interior design field. Sharing valuable information with customers, partners, and attracting millions of views.