Long-term rentals in Vietnam 2026: the expat guide
Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Asia for long-term living. You can rent a studio from about $80/month in Da Lat, or a villa in Da Nang for $2,000+. Here is every housing type, real monthly prices across 7 cities, where to search, and everything foreigners need to know about deposits, leases, utilities and residence registration.
Vietnam has around 90,000 active Airbnb listings, but once you move to direct rental through Facebook or Chợ Tốt, you save 50–100%. According to Numbeo, rent in Vietnam is roughly 57% lower than in Germany and three to four times cheaper than in major European cities. For a nomad on a Western income, that is the whole appeal.
All prices are current as of July 2026. Rate used: 1 USD ≈ 26,000 VND.
What you can rent in Vietnam
Studios and apartments (căn hộ)
The most popular format for singles and couples. Furnished flats are the norm: air conditioning, a fridge, a washing machine, Wi-Fi and a basic kitchen are almost always included.
| Type | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (phòng trọ) | 20–35 sq m | One room + bathroom and a kitchen corner. The budget option |
| 1-bedroom | 35–55 sq m | Separate bedroom, living room, kitchen. Standard for a couple |
| 2-bedroom | 55–85 sq m | For families. Modern complexes add a pool and gym |
| 3-bedroom | 85–120 sq m | Premium. In upscale condominiums |
Condominiums (chung cư)
A condominium is an apartment in a modern complex with facilities: pool, gym, 24/7 security and parking. The management company charges a service fee of 100,000–300,000 VND per sq m per month (~$4–12).
Big complex chains: Vinhomes (nationwide, premium), Mường Thanh (Nha Trang, mass market), Gold Coast (Nha Trang, sea views), Sun Group (Da Nang). Condos work well for foreigners: secure, convenient, and often with an English-speaking reception.
Houses and villas (nhà / biệt thự)
| Type | Description | From |
|---|---|---|
| Townhouse (nhà phố) | 2–4 floors, 2–4 bedrooms | $300–500/month |
| Villa with pool | Standalone house with a plot | $800–3,000/month |
| Private house on the edge of town | 1–2 floors | from $150/month |
A beachfront villa with a pool in Da Nang can be rented from $1,000/month — cheaper than a one-bedroom in most Western capitals.
Guesthouses and bungalows
Guesthouses (nhà nghỉ) are rooms in private houses or mini-hotels. Short-term: 200,000–500,000 VND/night (~$8–20). Long-term: 3–5 million VND/month (~$120–200). Common on Phu Quoc and in Mui Ne.
Bungalows are standalone cabins at beach resorts — from basic (fan, cold water) to luxe (air conditioning, terrace). On a 6-month lease the price drops to 4–5 million VND/month (~$160–200).
💬 "Hidden costs when renting in Vietnam can add 20–50% to your monthly bills. Electricity, water, building management and bike parking are all separate line items you need to nail down before you sign." — Expat.com, 2025
Getting set up in Vietnam?
SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerHow much rent costs, city by city
A one-bedroom near the beach runs about $300–500/month in Da Nang or Nha Trang, rising to $600–1,200 in central Ho Chi Minh City. Below are the real bands city by city. All prices are per month; rate: 1 USD ≈ 26,000 VND (July 2026). Whichever city you choose, budget for the sea-view premium: it roughly doubles the studio price everywhere on the coast.
Nha Trang — beach city with a big expat scene
Nha Trang has one of the country's largest foreign communities, a long beach and solid infrastructure. English-speaking agents are easy to find, and the coastline is lined with rental towers. For the city guide, see Nha Trang overview, and for a deep dive on renting there specifically, renting in Nha Trang.
| Type | VND/month | ~USD/month |
|---|---|---|
| Studio (centre) | 5,500,000–8,000,000 | ~$220–320 |
| Studio (sea view) | 10,000,000–15,000,000 | ~$400–600 |
| 1-bedroom | 8,000,000–12,000,000 | ~$320–480 |
| 2-bedroom | 10,000,000–18,000,000 | ~$400–720 |
| Villa | 20,000,000–50,000,000 | ~$800–2,000 |
Popular districts: the centre (near Nha Trang Beach), Vĩnh Nguyên (cheaper), and An Viên (near Vinpearl).
Phu Quoc — an island with a season
On Phu Quoc prices swing with the season: 20–40% higher in the high season (November–March). On a 6-month lease you get a 15–25% discount.
| Type | ~USD/month |
|---|---|
| Budget room (nhà nghỉ) | ~$200–240 |
| Studio / bungalow | ~$240–320 |
| 2-bedroom | ~$280–480 |
| Villa (4+ bedrooms) | ~$680–1,000+ |
Da Nang — the nomad favourite
Modern development, clean beaches and a coworking-friendly vibe make Da Nang the top pick for digital nomads. Prices rise 5–8% a year, and beachfront up to 10–15%. City guide: Da Nang overview.
| Type | ~USD/month |
|---|---|
| Studio | ~$240–400 |
| 1-bedroom | ~$450–600 |
| 2-bedroom (sea view) | ~$800–1,200 |
| Villa | ~$1,000–2,000 |
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) — the priciest
Vietnam's largest city, where prices swing hard by district. District 2 (Thảo Điền) is the main expat area: leafy, full of cafés and coworking spaces. City guide: Ho Chi Minh City overview.
| District | 1-BR (~USD) | 2-BR (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 (centre) | ~$700–1,200 | ~$1,000–2,000 |
| District 2 / Thủ Đức | ~$600–1,000 | ~$800–1,500 |
| District 7 (Phú Mỹ Hưng) | ~$500–800 | ~$700–1,200 |
| Bình Thạnh | ~$500–750 | ~$600–1,000 |
| Gò Vấp / Bình Tân | ~$250–400 | ~$400–600 |
Hanoi — the capital
Tây Hồ (West Lake) is the main expat district in Hanoi.
| District | 1-BR (~USD) | 2-BR (~USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Hoàn Kiếm (Old Quarter) | ~$500–900 | ~$800–1,500 |
| Tây Hồ (West Lake) | ~$500–1,000 | ~$800–1,500 |
| Ba Đình | ~$450–800 | ~$700–1,300 |
| Long Biên | ~$350–550 | ~$500–800 |
Da Lat and Mui Ne — the budget picks
Da Latis a mountain town with a cool climate. You won't need air conditioning; in winter you might want a heater. A studio starts at ~$160/month, a room with a local family from ~$60.
Mui Ne / Phan Thiet is a laid-back beach town. A budget guesthouse starts at ~$80/month; a house closer to the beach is ~$400–800/month. Season swings the prices sharply.
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Telegram managerWhere to look: 6 channels
1. Airbnb — the safe start
Around 90,000 active listings across Vietnam. Book for 28+ days and you get a 30–50% discount. It is ideal for your first month, before you know the city.
Downsides: 50–100% more expensive than direct rental, plus a 14–20% service fee. Ho Chi Minh City banned short-term rentals (under 30 days) in residential apartment blocks in 2025, then reopened them from April 2026 under tighter licensing rules — hosts now need to register as accommodation providers, so listings there are thinner than they used to be.
2. Booking.com — for short stays
Use the "Apartments" filter to find places with a kitchen. Free cancellation is handy, but prices run high (+60–120% over market) and there are few monthly options.
3. Vietnamese platforms
| Platform | Description | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Batdongsan.com.vn | Largest portal, 7M+ users/month | Vietnamese |
| Chợ Tốt (chotot.com) | Vietnam's Craigslist, Nhà cho thuê section | Viet. + Eng. |
| FazWaz.vn | International, verified agents | English |
| Rentapartment.vn | Rental-focused, HCMC heavy | English |
Batdongsan and Chợ Tốthold the biggest inventories, but you'll need Google Translate and some caution: up to half the listings can be stale or fake.
4. Facebook groups — the real listings hub
Facebook is the main platform for finding a place. Both owners and agents post there. In big groups like "Housing for expats in HCMC," more than 150 new listings can appear in a single day.
| City | Group |
|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | Housing for expats in Ho Chi Minh City |
| Da Nang | Accommodation For Expats in Danang |
| Nha Trang | NHA TRANG EXPATS & LOCALS |
| Hanoi | Apartments for rent in Hanoi |
| Phu Quoc | Phu Quoc Expats & Locals |
5. Reddit and expat forums
For crowd-sourced, English-language intel before you commit:
- r/VietNam and r/digitalnomad — housing threads, honest neighbourhood takes
- Expat.com Vietnam forum — rental questions answered by long-term residents
- Facebook expat groups (see above) — still the fastest for live listings
- Nomad List — cost-of-living data and a Da Nang / HCMC nomad community
6. Local agents (môi giới) and direct rental
Agents:the fee is usually paid by the owner, not the tenant. If the tenant pays, it's a one-off $30–50 (Nha Trang). Find one through Facebook or by asking at any café.
Direct rental: the cheapest route. Walk the neighbourhoods and look for Cho thuê phòng (room for rent) or Cho thuê căn hộ (apartment for rent) signs. The catch is the language barrier.
Channels compared — the summary table
| Criterion | Airbnb | Booking | Agent | FB / Reddit | Direct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | +50–100% | +60–120% | +10–20% | Market | Lowest |
| Safety | High | High | Medium | Low | Low |
| Min. term | 1 night | 1 night | 3 months | 1 month | 3 months |
| Language | Eng. | Eng. | Eng. | Eng. | Viet. |
| Best for | First month | Short trips | Families | The experienced | Viet. speakers |
💬 "In 90% of cases the photos on Vietnamese platforms were taken years ago. Always ask for a fresh video or a video call before you travel to view — it saves you time and frustration." — r/VietNam, 2025
The optimal strategy by timeline
First 1–4 weeks:book through Airbnb or Booking. Explore 3–5 neighbourhoods. Don't sign a long-term lease remotely — photos often don't match reality.
From month 2: switch to direct rental via Facebook or Chợ Tốt. Savings of 50%+. You can bring in an agent for $30–50.
Long-term (6+ months): a lease direct with the owner, notarised. Maximum savings, a fixed price, and room to haggle 15–30%.
Getting set up in Vietnam?
SIM, visas, transfers, tours — our manager sorts it out for you, in English.
Message the managerHow to rent: the step-by-step process
Lease and deposit
Minimum term is 3 months (the standard). At 6 or 12 months the price drops.
Deposit (đặt cọc):1–2 months' rent (standard), sometimes 3. It's returned within 15 days of the lease ending. Deductions apply for damage, unpaid bills or early termination. The currency is VND only.
The lease must be in Vietnamese (required by law). A bilingual version — Vietnamese plus English — is recommended. For a term of 6 months or more, notarisation is required (200,000–500,000 VND, ~$8–20).
Documents for renting
What you need:
- A valid passport
- Your visa or e-visa (a copy)
- A work permit, if you have one
What to check on the landlord:
- National ID card (CMND/CCCD)
- The "pink book" (sổ hồng) — the title certificate. The address and name must match
- A power of attorney — if the person renting it out isn't the owner
Payment and utilities
Payment methods: cash (VND), transfer via a Vietnamese bank, mobile apps (Vietcombank, Techcombank), international transfers (Wise, Remitly). All payments are in VND only. Always get a receipt (biên nhận) for every cash payment.
Utility costs (a 45–80 sq m apartment)
| Item | VND/month | ~USD/month |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 800,000–2,000,000 | ~$32–80 |
| Water | 100,000–200,000 | ~$4–8 |
| Internet (Wi-Fi) | 200,000–300,000 | ~$8–12 |
| Building management | 300,000–600,000 | ~$12–24 |
| Bike parking | 100,000–200,000 | ~$4–8 |
| Total | 1,700,000–3,550,000 | ~$68–142 |
The legal side for foreigners
Your right to rent
Foreigners can rent housing with a valid passport and a legal visa. The maximum lease term is up to 50 years, renewable. Renting a place does not, by itself, grant you a visa — that's a separate process.
Temporary residence registration (tạm trú)
This is required by law. The landlord fills out form NA17 and files it with the local police station (công an phường).
- Deadline: 12 hours after check-in (Hanoi, HCMC) or 24 hours (elsewhere)
- Responsibility: lies with the landlord
- Fine for non-compliance: 500,000–5,000,000 VND (~$20–200)
- How: online via the Bộ Công An portal, or in person
Remind your landlord to register you — many "forget." The fine can land on both sides, and clean tạm trú records matter if you later apply for a longer visa or a TRC.
Visas and the long stay
To rent long-term you need a visa that lets you stay long enough. Here is how the common options stack up for renting. For the full breakdown by passport, e-visa steps and residence cards, see our Vietnam visa guide and the wider relocation guide.
| Visa type | Duration | For renting |
|---|---|---|
| Visa exemption (some nationalities) | 15–45 days | Short-term only |
| E-visa | Up to 90 days | Yes |
| Business visa (DN) | 1–3 months | Yes |
| TRC (residence card) | 1–5 years | Ideal |
Check the current e-visa rules and eligible nationalities on the official portal, evisa.gov.vn, before you plan a long stay.
Taxes
The landlord owes 5% PIT + 5% VAT = 10% of the rent. In practice many build the tax into the price. As a foreign tenant you have no rental tax obligations.
💬 "Always check the giấy phép kinh doanh lưu trú (accommodation business licence). Serviced apartments with the right certification spare you the legal headaches typical of unlicensed condo units." — Living in Vietnam, 2025
10 mistakes foreigners make when renting
- Not checking the owner's documents. Always ask for the pink book (sổ hồng / sổ đỏ). Scammers rent out other people's apartments with forged papers.
- Paying without a receipt. Any cash payment — only with a receipt (biên nhận) or a bank transfer.
- Not documenting the flat's condition at move-in. Dated photos and video are your defence against deposit deductions. Shoot everything: scratches, stains, the state of the appliances.
- Agreeing to verbal deals.Every term goes into a written lease. "We'll sort it out later" is a path to losing money.
- Not haggling. The first price always carries a 15–30% markup. Bargaining is expected. The exception is big management companies with fixed pricing.
- Overpaying for electricity.The state tariff is ~2,200–2,444 VND/kWh. If they're asking 4,000–5,000, that's a markup of up to 100%.
- Renting remotely, sight unseen. The photos on the listing may not match reality.
- Not registering with the police.It's the landlord's duty, but the fine can hit both sides.
- Fixating on one neighbourhood. View at least 3–5 places in different areas.
- Not clarifying what's included. Internet, water, cleaning, parking, gas — may or may not be in the price.
Checklist before you sign
- Check the pink book (sổ hồng) — the address and owner's name match
- The landlord's ID (CCCD) matches the sổ hồng
- View the flat in person: plumbing, air conditioning, hot water, Wi-Fi, locks
- Test water pressure and the electricity supply
- Confirm the electricity and water tariffs and what's included in the rent
- Request a bilingual lease (Vietnamese + English)
- Record the meter readings at move-in
- Take photos and video of every room, noting any damage
- List the furniture and appliances in the lease
- Clarify early-termination terms and how the deposit is returned
- Make sure the landlord will handle your registration (tạm trú)
- Get a receipt (biên nhận) for every payment
- Ask for old utility bills to check the real running costs
FAQ
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Vietnam?
A studio runs from ~$80/month (Da Lat) to ~$600/month (Nha Trang, sea view). A one-bedroom is ~$220–800/month. The cheapest options are Da Lat, Mui Ne and off-season Phu Quoc; the most expensive are Ho Chi Minh City (District 1) and Hanoi (Hoàn Kiếm). The full price tables by city are in the section above.
How do you rent an apartment in Vietnam as a foreigner?
The smart play: Airbnb for the first month, then Facebook groups, Chợ Tốt or an agent for $30–50. View 3–5 places, check the owner's pink book, and sign a bilingual lease. Keep a passport and a valid visa handy.
Can you rent a place by the sea?
Yes. Nha Trang from ~$400/month, Da Nang from ~$800/month, Phu Quoc from ~$280/month for a bungalow. Beachfront villas from ~$1,000/month.
How do you rent by the month?
Airbnb with the "Monthly" filter (discounts up to 50%), or Facebook groups. A one-month lease is possible but less economical than 3+ months. The deposit is one month's rent.
Where is the best place to live in Vietnam?
Da Nang — modern, beaches, coworking (the nomad favourite). Nha Trang — beaches, big expat scene. Da Lat — mountains, cool, budget. Phu Quoc — island, nature. Ho Chi Minh City — the business hub. For a full city-by-city comparison on where to settle, see our relocation guide; for the local detail, the city guides for Da Nang, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Prices are current as of July 2026. Rate: 1 USD ≈ 26,000 VND. Prices vary with the season and how well you haggle.
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