Renting a property in Vietnam
Welcome to Vietnam, one of the world’s most populated countries and possibly one with the most chaotic traffic and complex urban geographies in Asia. Hunting for a house or apartment in Vietnam can feel like an uphill battle. From choosing the most liveable neighborhood from hundreds of them in every big city to talking with landlords, there is a lot to think about.
However, we’ve got you covered – here’s our ultimate guide to renting a property in Vietnam’s major cities – Saigon, Hanoi, and Da Nang.
Learn about where you’re going to live in Vietnam
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the process of renting a property in Vietnam and how it works, we’ll walk you through some of the simple details of living in Vietnam that you need to take notice of, such as culture and climates.
– The culture of each city –
Saigon, Hanoi, and Da Nang may share Vietnamese as a common language, but the cultural differences among them can make these cities feel as if they were worlds apart.
When it comes to moving to a city and building a new life here, here are some major differences between the communities of these cities that you need to know.
Saigon – the south
Image credit: @tronle_sg
Saigon screams vibrance and modernity. You’ll find a great number of skyscrapers in all districts of the city, as well as long rows of rickety townhouses stacked alongside one another.
The people here are more open, dynamic, and welcoming. People don’t mind going out of their way to make you feel comfortable and accepted.
As sociable as they are, they avoid prying into the details of your personal life, and are among the more accepting communities in the country.
Image adapted from: Tony Pham
Expect cultural diversity and a bilingual population. Saigon is basically a land of immigrants, with different neighborhoods populated by people of different ethnicities, such as Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Caucasian Westerners.
Hanoi – the capital up north
Image credit: @nhat_bun
You’ll find plenty of age-old Indochinese architecture dotted across Hanoi’s Hoàn Kiếm District, alongside modern office buildings in Ba Đình District and surrounding newly developed areas.
Image credit: Stanislav Rozhkov
Here, people tend to be more observant and measured in their responses towards something or someone new.
Da Nang – a beachside city in Central Vietnam
The Han River
Image credit: Huong Ho
Surrounded by beautiful beaches and lush mountains, Da Nang is an ideal place for those enjoying outdoor activities such as forest adventures and water sports.
Da Nang’s famous Golden Bridge
Image credit: Andreea Popa
As a tourist city, this place doesn’t lack foreigners. You won’t feel alone here, especially since the local people are friendly, sincere, and helpful too.
– The weather in each city –
Saigon – warm and humid
Image credit: Tron Le
Saigon boasts year-long humid weather with daily temperatures in the range of 27°C to 35 °C, so you can put on summer clothes all the time.
Daily rain in Saigon during the rainy season usually causes floods in many areas
The city’s climate is divided into the sunny season in the first half and the rainy season in the second half of the year, so make sure you bring a raincoat with you all the time from July till December.
Hanoi – greater temperature differences between seasons
Image credit: David Emrich
Hanoi boasts a cool and crisp climate in winter and spring, during which the temperature can drop to 10°C.
In contrast, the weather here can be quite harsh in the hotter months from May to August, with frequent heat waves that have risen to a record high of 40°C.
Da Nang – tropical weather, but slightly cooler in the winters
Image credit: @emily8103
All Vietnamese cities have bus systems and ride-hailing services such as Grab, Gojek Vietnam, and BE. However, if you plan to live here long-term, you should learn how to ride a motorbike.
You can take motorbike riding or car driving lessons at many driving schools in these cities, where you can move on to register for driving tests right after graduation.
– Types of rental properties in Vietnam –
Apartments and condominiums
Sky Garden Apartment Building in District 7
In rapidly developing Ho Chi Minh City, it’s hard to walk past a neighborhood where you don’t see an apartment building. This type of housing was only introduced to Vietnam a couple of decades ago, and has since quickly become a lifestyle choice for young people. Despite the communal living they offer, apartments should not be considered inferior to a house with higher privacy.
Image credit: Opal Tower
Not only are apartments cheaper when renting a property in Vietnam, but they also come with lots of perks.
Every apartment building comes with amenities such as a swimming pool, a gym, a tennis court, and a management board that takes care of everything from repairs, maintenance, and security.
All you have to do is to pay a fixed management fee every month and focus on enjoying your life.
Townhouses and villas
Villas in Saigon Pearl
Image credit: Opal Tower
Commonly referred to as landed properties, townhouses and villas are properties with multiple floors and private entrances. Some townhouses and villas come with a garden in the front and back, and a swimming pool.
If you’re renting for your family or with a group of friends, you may want to consider renting a townhouse or villa for some extra space and flexibility. However, the cost of renting a townhouse or villa in the city can be quite hefty.
For example, a 500 sqm villa in Saigon Pearl, a riverside development in Bình Thạnh District, sports a rent price tag upward of USD4,000 per month.
For more affordable options, you might want to move further to District 9, where you’ll find spacious and well-equipped townhouses that rent for VND13,000,000 – VND20,000,000 (~USD563.19-USD866.44) per month. Bare-minimum villas with gardens or swimming pools in District 9 normally go from VND40,000,000 (~USD1,732.88) per month.
Studios and mini apartments
Image credit: Hoozing
Studios and mini-apartments are very popular rental properties in Saigon, given the city’s lack of residential space. These properties are smaller in size compared to normal apartments, averaging 25 to 45 sqm. Despite their compact size, studios and mini-apartments are all fully furnished and ready to move in.
– Types of furnishings in rental properties –
Bare shell properties
Image credit: Palm City
If you are moving house with tons of furniture of your own or you’re keen to decorate your own living space based on your sense of aesthetics, you might want to search for bare shell properties.
A bare shell property is basically an apartment with nothing but basic flooring, plastered walls, and an operational plumbing system. You’ll need to do all the fittings of the apartment yourself, from installing lighting to carpeting the floors to moving in furniture.
Warm shell properties
Image credit: Bảo Trang
A warm shell property is also similar to a bare shell property, except that it’s already fitted with basic amenities and decor such as lighting, air conditioners, ceiling, walls, flooring, and even a pantry in certain properties.
Image credit: Palm City
All you have to do is to bring your own furniture in.
The majority of landlords in Vietnam lease their properties in warm shell conditions.
Furnished properties
A fully furnished apartment in Da Nang
Image credit: DaNa Home – Nhà Đà Nẵng
Those who prefer ready-to-move-in apartments where you find the essential items of daily living already prepared for you, from beds to couches to TVs, can go for furnished properties.
A fully furnished apartment in Saigon’s Sunwah Pearl
Image credit: Nguyen Quang
The monthly rent of a fully furnished property depends largely on the quality of the furniture and amenities inside it, which can range from low-cost to ornate. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you see landlords quoting significantly different price points for different apartments on the same floor and with the same view.
Even though furnished properties are more costly than bare shell and warm shell properties, the amount of money you can save on buying furniture and having them delivered to your doorstep is quite worth it.
– How to choose which neighborhood of your city to live in –
Saigon
District 1 – the heart of Saigon
The heart of Saigon, District 1, is where major tourist attractions, government agencies, and office buildings are located.
Saigon’s City Hall in District 1
For this reason, this is also considered the most expensive place to live in the city.
The most popular rental properties in District 1 are studios or mini-apartments, which typically have only 25-45 sqm of space but come fully fitted.
The average rent for a studio or serviced apartment in District 1 is in the range of VND6,000,000 to VND10,000,000 (~USD216.61-USD324.91) depending on how prime the location is.
An apartment in Vinhomes Golden River
Image credit: Vinhomes Golden River Bán & Cho thuê
There are not many apartment buildings in District 1 except for those who are already decades old, so the rent here is usually 20% to 50% higher than the other places due to lower supply.
A 2-bedroom apartment of 65-75sqm in District 1, for example, would rent for USD1,200-USD2,000 per month.
Some of the recommended apartment buildings in District 1 include Vinhomes Golden River, D1mension, Saigon Sky Garden, and Somerset Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm.
Japan Town in District 1
District 1 is also home to a large number of Japanese expats who work and live mainly in the Japan Town area, which is made of Lê Thánh Tôn and Thái Văn Lung Streets.
Bình Thạnh District – a stone’s throw away from District 1
Vinhomes Central Park development. In its center is Landmark 81, the tallest building in Vietnam.
Image credit: Tron Le
Those who want both proximity and affordability should move to Bình Thạnh District, which is adjacent to District 1 and only a 5 to 10-minute drive away. Featuring the largest number of apartment buildings in town, Bình Thạnh District gives you a wide range of apartments to choose from as well as more competitive prices.
Sunwah Pearl in Bình Thạnh District offers a spectacular view over District 1’s skyline
Image credit: Huỳnh Xuân
Some of the most popular developments in the area include Vinhomes Central Park, Saigon Pearl, Sunwah Pearl, City Garden, and The Manor.
An apartment in Sunwah Pearl
Image credit: Hùng Lê
A 2-bedroom apartment with a size of 65-75 sqm normally rents for USD1,000-USD1,500, depending on how well-furnished the apartment is.
District 7 – large Korean and Taiwanese communities
Phú Mỹ Hưng neighborhood in District 7
A short 20-minute drive from District 1, District 7 is known for its large population of Korean and Taiwanese communities.
There are so many Korean and Japanese restaurants, coffee shops, and marts in District 7 that you don’t even have to speak fluent Vietnamese to adapt to the way of life here.
Sky Garden Apartment Building in District 7
District 7 is endowed with modern infrastructure, good security with numerous street cameras, and plenty of public parks. Residents here can take a breezy stroll down the tree-lined lanes or cycle along serene residential compounds.
If you’re a health-conscious person who likes to exercise outdoors at any time of the day, this is the place for you.
Korean International School in Ho Chi Minh City
Image credit: Mú Chan
Another reason why District 7 is particularly popular among Asian expats is because of its abundant international school choices, including the Taipei School in Ho Chi Minh City, the Japanese School in Ho Chi Minh City, the Korean International School in Ho Chi Minh City, the Lawrence S. Ting School, and many more.
Some of the highly recommended developments in the area include Sky Garden, Scenic Valley, Era Town, and Riviera Point, because all of them are known to be well-equipped and close to mega shopping malls such as Crescent Mall and SC Vivo City.
The rental range for a 2-bedroom apartment of 65-70 sqm in District 7 is from USD600-USD1,200.
District 2 – the “Beverly Hills” of Saigon with a bilingual community
Saigon Outcast in Thảo Điền
Considered Saigon’s “Beverly Hills” due to its plethora of Western-style F&B businesses and international schools, it’s no coincidence that District 2 is a major draw among Western expats.
European International School Ho Chi Minh City in District 2
Image credit: European International School Ho Chi Minh City
If you’re looking for a neighborhood where you can get by while speaking English only, Thảo Điền and An Phu Ward in District 2 are the perfect places to be in.
Featuring an enormous population of expats from all walks of life, District 2 is always buzzing with modern aesthetics and cultural activities.
Masteri Thảo Điền
Image adapted from: Masteri Thảo Điền
The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment of 65-75 sqm in District 2 is currently VND12,000,000-VND15,000,000 (~USD519.86-USD649.83). An apartment boasting a size of 93-120 sqm normally rents for VND20,000,000-VND50,000,000 (~USD866.44-USD2,166.10).
District 9 – an enclave of affordable landed properties
Image adapted from: Saigon Viewers
If you have a big family and are willing to trade in a tiny city apartment for a spacious landed property further out from the city center, you’ll enjoy living in District 9.
Situated 13KM away from Saigon’s city center to the east via District 2’s Hanoi Expressway, District 9 is brimming with villa compounds.
Image credit: Lucasta Khang Dien
Among the many villa compounds you can find in District 9 include Lucasta Khang Điền, Melosa Garden, Villa Park, and Mega Residence.
The average rent for a furnished 136-153 sqm villa in District 9 is currently VND17,000,000-VND21,000,000 (~USD736.47-USD909.76). A villa with a size of 200-260 sqm normally rents for VND25,000,000-VND40,000,000 (~USD1,083.05-USD1,732.88), depending on whether it comes with a swimming pool or not.
Hanoi
Ba Đình District – Hanoi’s Central Business District that’s home to a large Japanese population
Ba Đình Square
Image credit: @socialist_vietnam__
Ba Đình District is considered the most prestigious address in Hanoi, where the country’s most prominent office buildings and important political agencies are located. It’s also home to numerous tourist attractions, such as the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ba Đình Square, Thăng Long Citadel, and Giảng Võ Art Gallery.
Image credit: @dj_chadoll
A large part of Kim Mã Street is populated with Japanese restaurants, cafes, and pubs, indicating the strong presence of the Japanese community in the area.
An apartment in Lancaster Hanoi
Image credit: Lancaster Hanoi
Some of the residential developments you can check out here include Vinhomes Giảng Võ and Lancaster Hanoi.
As of this year, the average rent in Ba Đình District is VND11,000,000-VND14,000,000 (~USD476.53-USD606.49) for an apartment of 50 sqm, and VND18,000,000-VND22,000,000 (~USD779.77-USD953.05) for an apartment of 120 sqm.
On the busy streets of Ba Đình District such as Kim Mã, Linh Lang, and Đào Tấn, you’ll find plenty of studios and mini-apartments boasting a size of 35-45 sqm renting from VND4,800,000 to VND6,500,000 (~USD207.94-USD281.58) per month.
Hà Đông District – established infrastructure & transportation system
Hà Đông District
Image credit: Capitaland
Situated 12KM away from Hanoi’s city center and in the southwest is Hà Đông District, one of Hanoi’s fastest-developing neighborhoods. It gathers a good number of newly built large-scale residential developments including Mỗ Lao, Văn Quán, Văn Khuê, An Hưng, and Usilk City. Among the many residential developments you can check out here include Mulberry Lane Hà Đông and Seasons Avenue.
Mulberry Lane
Image credit: Du An Nam An Khanh
The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment of 65-75 sqm is from USD400-USD800 per month.
Despite its seemingly long distance from Hanoi’s city center, Hà Đông is equipped with an established infrastructure system for easy transport connections with major districts such as Cầu Giấy and Nam Từ Liêm. Aside from traffic links that reduce traffic congestion and commuting times such as Thăng Long – Khuất Duy Tiến tunnel and Vạn Phúc – Lê Văn Lương intersection, Hà Đông also offers a large public bus system so you can get around town easily.
Even when you’re too lazy to travel, you can still shop and have fun at plenty of shopping malls in the area, such as AEON MALL Hà Đông, Metro Hà Đông, and Big C Hà Đông.
Thanh Xuân District – the city’s new commercial center
Image adapted from: Homedy
One of the major draws of Thanh Xuân District is the presence of Trung Hòa – Nhân Chính , Hanoi’s major educational and commercial center. Not only does Thanh Xuân District play host to numerous prestigious schools and universities such as the Hanoi – Amsterdam High School For the Gifted and Regional Political Institution I (Học viện Chính trị khu vực I), but also has many banks.
Hapulico Complex
Image credit: Hapulico Complex
Some of the residential developments you can check out here include Riviera Park, Hapulico Complex, and Royal City.
The rental range for a 2-bedroom apartment of 71-94 sqm in the area is VND11,400,000-VND14,000,000 (~USD493.85-USD606.49).
Thanh Xuân District is also known for its large Korean communities, so you can find affordable K-BBQ joints and Korean supermarket goodies at your doorstep if you live here.
Tây Hồ District – prestigious location and home to a large Western expat community
Image credit: Cho Thuê Căn Hộ Tại Hà Nội I Sunshine Housing
Adjacent to Ba Đình District to the south and packed with famous tourist attractions including the West Lake, Quán Thánh Temple, and Trấn Quốc Pagoda, the Tây Hồ District is one of Hanoi’s most prestigious neighborhoods.
Trấn Quốc Pagoda
Image credit: @ob.kc
Because of its prime location and scenic surroundings, the area appeals to many Western expats in the city.
Therefore, you’ll find in this area a wide variety of serviced apartment buildings and residential developments, such as CIPUTRA Hanoi, 6th Element, D’el Dorado, and Elegant Suites Westlake.
Image credit: Elegant Suites Westlake, Hanoi
The average apartment rent in Tây Hồ District is around VND7,000,000-VND10,000,000 (~USD303.25-USD433.22) for an apartment of 28-33 sqm, and VND13,000,000-VND15,000,000 (~USD563.19-USD649.83) for an apartment of 80-120 sqm.
Ecopark – residential township in a nature setting
Image credit: Ecopark
If peace and affordability are what you’re after when renting a property in Vietnam, start packing your bags for Ecopark. Situated 17KM away from Hanoi’s city center, Ecopark is northern Vietnam’s largest suburban residential development that spans 500 hectares.
A kindergarten in Ecopark
Image credit: Ecoparker
Offering enormous green space, a wide range of amenities such as restaurants, schools, and sports facilities, as well as convenient access to public transport, Ecopark has drawn over 20,000 residents ever since its establishment in 2012.
In terms of square meters and features, Ecopark offers you more bang for your buck. Not only can you live in a serene environment surrounded by lush greenery, but you also pay less for your rent.
A villa in Ecopark
Image credit: Ecoparker
The average rent for a 4-bedroom villa of 162-200 sqm is from VND20,000,000-VND27,000,000 (~~USD866.44-USD1,169.69) per month. For cheaper options, you can check out a wide range of apartments here, which rent from VND5,500,000-VND8,500,000 (~USD238.27-USD368.24) for those of 45-76 sqm.
Image credit: Ecoparker
While Ecopark is in the suburb, it offers a comprehensive public transportation system that covers nearly all parts of the township with reliable and frequent service. To commute to Hanoi, residents can hop on Bus 47A, Bus 47B, and Bus 69.
Da Nang
Hải Châu – Da Nang’s Central Business District
Image credit: @dramatic_hanoi
Hải Châu is considered the central business district of Da Nang, and living near the city center comes with lots of perks, from convenient transportation to numerous healthcare facilities.
You’ll find a dizzying array of recreational options to choose from here, including art galleries, museums, clubs, and parks.
Image credit: @xcalibal
The district is also the epicenter of government agencies, office buildings, and shopping complexes – meaning you won’t have to take a long ride to work or struggle with chaotic traffic to get home in the evenings.
Da Nang International Airport
Image credit: Wikipedia
Da Nang International Airport is also situated in the district, meaning that you won’t have to worry about rushing to the airport in time for check-in compared to if you lived in other parts of Da Nang.
View over the city from Indochina Riverside Tower Apartment Building
Image credit: Diệp Minh Nghị
Some of the developments in the area include Indochina Riverside Tower and Blooming Tower Da Nang.
Sơn Trà – suitable for those who love outdoor activities
Image credit: @ruslankolotogin
Lying in the northeastern part of Da Nang and west of Hải Châu District is Sơn Trà, an urban residential district with access to nature.
Aside from beautiful beaches with spectacular coral reefs such as Phạm Văn Đồng Beach, Bụt Beach (Bãi Bụt), and Rạng Beach (Bãi Rạng), Sơn Trà District is also home to the magnificent Sơn Trà Island and Sơn Trà Mountains spanning 4,400 hectares, which have formed the Sơn Trà Nature Reserve since 1992.
Image credit: @q.u.e.n_uiux
This district makes a great living place for outdoorsy people, who can engage in an array of water activities such as swimming, jet skiing, and surfing, or go on camping trips whenever they feel like it.
Paragliding across Sơn Trà Mountain
Image credit: @danangparaglidings
Some of the apartment developments in the area that you can consider include The Monarchy and Sơn Trà Ocean View.
A fully furnished apartment in Sơn Trà Ocean View Apartment Building
Image credit: Sơn Trà Ocean View apt
For a 2-bedroom apartment of 65-75 sqm, the rent can go from VND8,000,000 to VND12,000,000 (USD346.98-USD520.47) per month.
The swimming pool at Sơn Trà Ocean View Apartment Building
Image credit: Sơn Trà Ocean View apt
For a townhouse of 3 bedrooms with a size of 120sqm – 320 sqm, the monthly rent is from VND12,000,000 to VND16,000,000 (~USD520-USD693.27). Added amenities such as swimming pools or gardens automatically translate to an increase in the rent.
What makes a good place to live in Vietnam?
Ecopark development
Image credit: Ecopark
Before you commit to any development when renting a property in Vietnam, remember to check it out comprehensively. Remember that no neighborhoods and buildings satisfy everyone equally, and you have to make trade-offs to choose the best value based on your preferences and budget. Every development has desirable features and less-than-ideal aspects, and you have to learn to strike a happy medium.
District 7
For example, when in Saigon, you cannot expect to find an apartment in District 7 or District 9 that rents for half the price of that in Bình Thạnh District and expect it to be just a 10-minute drive from District 1. Or if you’re eyeing a spacious and affordable villa in District 9 where your big family can live comfortably, you have to be willing to drive for 30 to 45 minutes between your home and your workplace if you work in District 1.
The same rule applies for the rental market in Hanoi. You can find townhouse and villa compounds across the city, but the monthly rent varies big time depending on their locations.
Image credit: Ecopark
For example, a fully furnished 4-bedroom villa in Ecopark, a suburban residential development 17KM away from Hanoi’s city center, rents for only VND22,000,000 (~USD953.08). Meanwhile, an equally large villa in Cầu Giấy District, an urban Hanoi district bordered by Ba Đình District can rent for over VND60,000,000 (~USD2,599.32) per month.
If you don’t mind taking a 45-minute bus ride between Ecopark and Hanoi’s city center every morning, then a villa surrounded by one third of the rental price tag of villas in urban districts can be a good deal. On the other hand, if you don’t mind paying top dollar for proximity to the city center, despite the traffic noise, you can live in the city.
Communities
Phú Mỹ Hưng in District 7
Before you move into any neighborhood, do thorough research on the communities there.
For example, Korean-speaking tenants renting a property in Vietnam will most likely want to live in Phú Mỹ Hưng in District 7, where a lot of Korean residents live and plenty of Korean-style F&B and entertainment businesses are located. If you live in other districts where hardly anyone speaks Korean, you’ll be missing out on this aspect of a social life.
Japan Town in District 1
If you can speak Chinese, you’ll feel at home in Chợ Lớn area of District 5 and District 6, where your neighbors communicate in Chinese dialects and you’ll be surrounded by Chinese restaurants.
A decades-old apartment building in District 5
Image credit: Kim Hanh Do
If you’re a Japanese family living in Hanoi, you’ll want to move to Hoàn Kiếm District or Ba Đình District where you’ll find a growing number of Japanese communities.
Hoàn Kiếm District in Hanoi
Image credit: @anna.an.93
For Koreans renting a property in Vietnam, Thanh Xuân District and Nam Từ Liêm District where a large population of Korean expats reside are ideal places to live.
Surrounding amenities
Image credit: Thu Nguyen
Make sure that your development has marts that sell basic necessities or groceries or is close to a supermarket where you can shop conveniently. Proximity to a pharmacy or a clinic is also a big bonus.
Apartment density
An apartment building in District 2
Image credit: Kelvyn Zyteng
For quietness and convenience, you should move into buildings with a low or moderate number of apartments, say 5,000 apartments per project at most.
Living with too many people in the same premises means that you’ll take a longer time waiting for elevators, buying groceries, or having trouble navigating the crowded lanes during rush hour.
A residential lane in District 1
Tip: you can visit the development you’re eyeing between 8AM and 6PM to suss out the daytime noise levels and traffic.
Parking space
A street parking lot in Saigon
Choose a development that gives you ample parking space. Most apartment owners and paying tenants in cities prefer to park their vehicles in a covered or underground parking lot rather than outdoors, but parking in Saigon can be challenging as the number of vehicles often outnumbers the parking lots available, forcing some to park outdoors during peak hours.
To avoid this, find yourself an apartment building with really spacious parking areas. You won’t want to park your vehicles on the streets on a rainy night just because there’s no parking lot in the basement.
What goes into a rental fee in Vietnam?
Condo maintenance staff at work
Image adapted from: Savills Vietnam
If you’re renting a property in Vietnam in an apartment building, your rent will usually include utility bills plus a management fee per sqm, which is dictated by the building manager.
The management fee goes to the building management fund, which pays for services such as security, cleaning and landscaping tasks, and the periodic maintenance of building amenities.
Image credit: Opal Tower
In most apartment buildings in Saigon, Hanoi, and Da Nang, the management fee is in the range of VND15,000-VND20,000 (~USD0.65-USD0.87) per sqm.
For example, if you’re living in a 60 sqm apartment that costs you VND5,000,000 (~USD217.52) in rent per month, chances are you’ll pay a VND900,000 to VND1,200,000 (~USD39.04-USD52.02) monthly management fee.
If you’re renting a room or a townhouse, your rent only includes the cost of utilities and hygiene management fees, which vary among neighborhoods.
Remember to ask your landlord in the beginning about all the fees that you have to pay when renting a property in Vietnam so you have no uncertainties as to what the landlord is charging you for.
* Note: most agents and landlords will quote rental rates in USD. However, rental is payable in VND.
What’s the process of renting an apartment in Vietnam?
Applying for residency with local authorities
Image credit: Lao Dong
Most of the time, your landlord will help you apply for residency with local authorities within 12 hours of your check-in.
If you are able to go through the process by yourself, you can apply via the electronic residence websites available in all provinces such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.
Making a deposit
Image credit: @puiitj
Most landlords ask you to make deposits worth one or two months of your monthly rent before renting a property in Vietnam.
For example, if your monthly rental fee is USD500, you might be asked to put down USD500 or USD1,000 as a deposit. If you don’t meet your lease responsibilities, such as paying rent on time or keeping the property in intact conditions, you may lose your deposit.
Remember that any prices quoted in USD are only for reference purposes and you should ask your landlord to denote the rent in VND in the written contract. It is required by law (Decree No.04/2003/NQ-HDT) that tenants must make their payment in VND.
Reading rental contracts
A property agent helping her client with rental agreements
Image credit: H Yến Nguyễn
All contracts are made in both English and Vietnamese languages and it’s the Vietnamese copies that are considered legally binding. Thus, make sure that you have your agent help you read through the contracts carefully and only sign them when you’re sure that the English copies accurately reflect the content in the Vietnamese copies.
Even though the law does not require rental agreements to be notarized, having them notarized can lend your agreements more legal support and give you more assurance of your rights as a tenant.
Image credit: Nghề Nghiệp Cuộc Sống
Notarization (công chứng) refers to a fraud-deterrence process that can be performed by a notary executive in any Notary Office in the city that includes appraising, certifying, and documenting important and legal documents. The purpose of notarizing a document is to make sure that it is authentic, trustable, and legally binding.
A Notary Office
Image credit: Báo Pháp Luật
The normal notarization fee is VND40,000 (~USD1.73) for a rental contract document for a property with rental value under VND50,000,000 (~USD2,166.75) and VND80,000 (~USD2.46) for a rental contract for a property with rental value in the range of VND50,000,000 to VND100,000,000 (~USD2,166.75-USD4,333.51).
You can ask your landlord to work with you on the notarization of your rental agreements or ask your property agent to do it on your behalf.
Paying your property agent
Image adapted from: Savills Vietnam
Deal with your property agent upfront before engaging their services. Most agents are paid by the landlords themselves and do not require consultation fees. Remember that you should never have to pay to see a rental property or meet the landlord.
However, you can tip your property agents as a gesture of your thankfulness for their services.
What are some important words to know related to renting a place in Vietnam?
Here’re some key terms in rental contract and discussions that you need to take notice of.
- Hợp đồng (noun) = agreement or contract
A rental agreement is a written contract of the rental between the owner of the property, known as the landlord, and the tenant.
- Chủ nhà (noun) = landlords
A landlord is the owner of the property that is rented to the tenant.
- Người thuê nhà (noun) = tenants or lessees
A tenant or lessee is the renter of a property.
- Thuê nhà (verb) = to rent or to lease
You rent a property when you pay the landlord money on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis to live there.
- Tiền đặt cọc (noun) = deposit
This is the amount of money paid to a landlord to safeguard the landlord from potential financial loss in case the tenant leaves while still owing rent or causes damage to the rented property.
- Tiền thuê nhà (noun) = rent
A payment made by the tenant to the landlord on a monthly or yearly basis for use of the property.
- Phí quản lý (noun) = management fee
The management fee is the amount of money paid to cover the monthly costs for the maintenance and repair of elevators, hallways, garbage disposal areas, and amenities.
- Bảo trì (noun) = maintenance
Maintenance refers to a range of activities that ensure a safe and comfortable living space such as cleaning, security, landscaping, and lawn care.
- Quản lý tòa nhà (noun) = property management
Property management includes a group of people responsible for the operations of the building, from making sure all the maintenance activities are carried out to settling any issues such as cleanliness, noise, and security.
- Môi giới (noun) = property agent
A property agent, also known as a middleman, is someone who helps connect a tenant and a landlord by finding rental properties for tenants and negotiating rent with landlords.
Reliable agencies with bilingual staff
Savills Vietnam
Image credit: Savills Vietnam
Founded in the UK in 1855, Savills Vietnam has long been the go-to place in Saigon, Hanoi, and Da Nang for expats looking for professional advice about investing, buying, and renting a property in Vietnam.
Address:
- Ruby Tower, 18/F, 81 – 85 Hàm Nghi, Bến Nghé Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
- Level 6, Leadvisor Places, 41A Lý Thái Tổ, Hoàn Kiếm Ward, Hanoi
Opening hours: Mon–Fri, 8.30AM-5.30PM
Telephone: 024 3946 1300 | 090 108 8906
Website
Huttons Vietnam
Image credit: Alvin Gabriel Ong
Based in Ho Chi Minh City, Huttons Vietnam is the official representative of Huttons Asia, one of Singapore’s biggest real estate agencies. From investment consultation to leasing to property management, Huttons Vietnam is a one-stop destination for all activities regarding residential properties.
Huttons Vietnam has a large team of agents fluent in English, along with a huge network of local landlords, to help new residents foster connections and find a property that meets their expectations.
Address: P3.02, Level 3, The Oxygen, 628C Hanoi Highway, An Phú Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Mon–Fri, 9AM-5.30PM
Telephone: 0909 211 066
Hoozing
CEO of Hoozing Le Huynh Nhut Hai
Image credit: Hoozing
Founded in 2015, Hoozing has a bilingual team of young and bilingual property agents specializing in rental properties, with a proven track record of providing fast and thorough real estate services to clients renting a property in Vietnam.
Address: 119 Lương Định Của, Bình An Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Opening hours: Mon–Fri, 9AM-5.30PM
Telephone: 1900 3100
Apartment rental websites and Facebook groups for renting a property in Vietnam
These are some of the more popular apartment rental websites and Facebook groups that locals frequently use when renting a property in Vietnam.
If you already have a property agent, you can leave them to do the searching and negotiating on your behalf. If you’re renting a property in Vietnam by yourself, make sure you’re fluent enough in Vietnamese so you can communicate with agents and landlords who don’t speak English.
- Batdongsan.com.vn – this is one of the most reliable and popular sites for renting a property in Vietnam. Widely used by both property agents and landlords, this site offers a wide range of searching tools alongside robust stocks for renters and home buyers. This site lets agents and landlords advertise their properties in the English language, which makes your searching task much easier if you don’t understand Vietnamese.
- Housing in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam) – this Facebook group is a dedicated online community where you’ll find daily housing advertisements posted by both property agents and landlords and engage with them quickly.
- Hanoi Expat Housing – this is a Facebook group on which property agents and landlords advertise apartments, houses, and studios in Hanoi. The advertising content is written in English, making it easy and convenient for expats to understand.
- DaNa Home – Nhà Đà Nẵng – this Facebook group offers a comprehensive source of listings and information in English language for home renters in Da Nang.
Renting a property in Vietnam
Moving to a new city and adapting yourself to the way of life there isn’t always easy, and therefore it’s important to find a neighborhood that suits your lifestyle habits in the long run when renting a property in Vietnam.
Before you commit to any development, scout out the neighborhood and property thoroughly to make sure it meets the requirements on your wishlist. While the guidelines in our article can offer you a basic picture of what to expect when renting a property in Vietnam, it’s also important to go with your instincts and choose the property that feels right for you.
Also check out:
- Guide to Saigon’s Japan Town: from omakase dining to onsen bath
- 10 bespoke tailors in Ho Chi Minh City to get suited up for your next big event
- 8 furniture stores in Saigon for comfortable bedding & multifunctional desks
- Check out Southeast Asia’s largest MUJI store in District 1’s Parkson Le Thanh Ton
- Dai Nam Wonderland is Vietnam’s largest cultural theme park with free entry throughout 2021
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local Vietnam, Elegant Suites Westlake, Hanoi, and Savills Vietnam
Enjoying The Smart Local Vietnam? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, and LinkedIn for more stories like this.