Housing
Renting from 5M ₫/month, housing types, prices across 6 cities, contracts, utilities and the best expat neighbourhoods. Updated 2026.
Updated: April 2026
Key numbers
What renting here costs: prices, deposits, utilities, serviced apartments.
5–15M ₫Studio apartment (per month)
2–3 monthsDeposit when renting
1–2M ₫Utilities per month (with AC)
from $300Serviced apartment (furnished)
Housing types
Six main options, from a cheap room to a villa with a garden. What you pay depends on the city and the district.
Phòng trọ (room)
- ₫2–5M ₫ ($80–200)
- +Cheap, easy to find
- −Basic conditions, shared kitchen
Studio (mini apartment)
- ₫5–10M ₫ ($200–400)
- +Own kitchen/bathroom, furnished
- −Small (20–30 m²)
1BR apartment
- ₫8–15M ₫ ($320–600)
- +A proper apartment, often in a new building
- −Needs a contract, 2–3 months deposit
2BR apartment
- ₫12–25M ₫ ($480–1,000)
- +For a family or a share
- −Pricier, harder to find short-term
Serviced apartment
- ₫10–30M ₫ ($400–1,200)
- +Cleaning, linens, reception, all included
- −30–50% more than a regular apartment
Villa / townhouse
- ₫20–50M ₫ ($800–2,000)
- +For families, garden, parking
- −Long-term rentals only
Prices by city
Average monthly rents. The real number depends on the district, the floor, the condition, and whether it comes furnished.
| City | Studio | 1BR | 2BR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ho Chi Minh City | 6–12M ₫ | 10–18M ₫ | 15–30M ₫ |
| Hanoi | 5–10M ₫ | 8–15M ₫ | 12–25M ₫ |
| Da Nang | 4–8M ₫ | 6–12M ₫ | 10–20M ₫ |
| Nha Trang | 5–10M ₫ | 8–14M ₫ | 12–22M ₫ |
| Da Lat | 3–7M ₫ | 5–10M ₫ | 8–15M ₫ |
| Phu Quoc | 6–12M ₫ | 10–18M ₫ | 15–25M ₫ |
Pro tip
Listed prices are starting points. On a long-term lease (6–12 months) haggle 10–15% down. Pay 3–6 months upfront and the discount is bigger still.Where to search
Where people actually look, ranked from the most popular free groups to paid agents.
1
Facebook groupsThe most popular way
Free2
Zalo (messenger)City-based groups
Free3
Batdongsan.com.vnThe biggest listings site
Free4
Cho Tot (chotot.com)Classifieds + housing
Free5
Agent / brokerDoes it all for you
Fee: 50–100% of monthly rentTip
Search on Facebook: “Thuê phòng + city” or “Apartment for rent + city”. Expat groups: “Nha Trang Expats”, “Ho Chi Minh City Expats” and the like.The rental process
Five steps from your first viewing to move-in day.
Search and viewings
- 1Facebook groups: “Thuê phòng + city” or expat groups.
- 2View at least 5–7 options, compare prices and locations.
- 3Check the distance to work/school, shops and transport.
Negotiating the price
- 1Always haggle — the first price is usually 10–20% too high.
- 2For a long-term lease (6–12 months), ask for a 5–15% discount.
- 3Confirm what’s included: furniture, WiFi, cleaning, parking.
Inspecting the apartment
- 1Check the water (pressure), air conditioning and washing machine.
- 2Photograph every defect before you move in.
- 3Test the locks, power outlets and gas stove.
Signing the contract
- 1A contract in Vietnamese and English. Term — from 6 months.
- 2Deposit: usually 2 months’ rent, refunded when you leave.
- 3Record the water and electricity meter readings.
Moving in
- 1Get the keys, AC remotes and access card.
- 2Register with your landlord — they must notify the police.
- 3Keep the contact of the landlord and the management company.
The rental contract
What the contract needs to cover. Check every line before you sign.
Contract checklist
- Lease term and start/end dates
- Monthly rent and the payment date
- Deposit amount and refund conditions
- What’s included: furniture, appliances, WiFi, parking
- Electricity and water rates (double-check these!)
- Early-termination terms (usually 30 days’ notice)
- Responsibility for repairs (minor — tenant, major — owner)
- House rules: guests, pets, noise
Important
Only the Vietnamese-language contract is legally binding. The English version is for your convenience but has no legal force. Ask for the key clauses to be translated.Utilities
Utilities are often not included in the rent. The biggest cost is the electricity for air conditioning.
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 2,500–4,000 ₫/kWh | State rate ~1,900 ₫; landlords charge 2,500–4,000 ₫ |
| Water | 15,000–25,000 ₫/m³ | State rate ~7,000 ₫; landlord markup 2–3x |
| Internet (WiFi) | 200,000–350,000 ₫/mo | Included in rent or billed separately |
| Cleaning | 100,000–200,000 ₫/visit | 1–2 times a week; free in serviced apartments |
| Gas (cylinder) | 350,000–450,000 ₫ | Lasts 2–3 months |
| Air conditioning | 500,000–1,500,000 ₫/mo | The biggest cost — depends on usage |
Electricity — the biggest cost
Landlords often set a rate of 3,000–4,000 ₫/kWh against a state rate of ~1,900 ₫. Haggle down to 2,500–3,000 ₫, or ask to put the meter in your own name (chuyển tên điện).Districts by city
The go-to districts for expats, with prices, the vibe, and who each one suits.
| District | Price | Vibe | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| District 1 (Quận 1) | 15–30M ₫ | Downtown, nightlife, restaurants | Expats, digital nomads |
| District 2 (Thủ Đức) | 10–20M ₫ | Quiet, green; An Phú is expat-heavy and international | Families, long-term |
| District 7 (Quận 7) | 10–20M ₫ | Phú Mỹ Hưng — a modern area, schools | Families with kids |
| Bình Thạnh | 7–15M ₫ | Near downtown, cheaper | Budget, students |
Renting mistakes
Five mistakes that cost renters here real money.
Not checking the Vietnamese contract
- 1The Vietnamese contract is legally binding; the English version is not.
- 2Ask for the key clauses to be translated, or hire a translator (200–500K ₫).
- 3Pay attention to the deposit-refund and early-exit terms.
Accepting inflated electricity rates
- 1The state rate is ~1,900 ₫/kWh, but landlords charge 3,000–4,000 ₫ (double).
- 2Haggle down to 2,500–3,000 ₫/kWh — that’s a fair price.
- 3Ask to put the electricity account in your own name (chuyển tên điện).
Paying for the whole term upfront
- 1The most you should pay is monthly or quarterly.
- 2If the landlord disappears, you won’t get the money back.
- 3Deposit (2 months) + first month is the standard scheme.
Not documenting the apartment’s condition at move-in
- 1Photograph EVERYTHING: walls, floors, furniture, appliances.
- 2Record the water and electricity meter readings.
- 3Sign a handover report with the landlord.
Renting without registration
- 1The landlord must register you with the police (temporary registration).
- 2Without it: a fine of up to 4,000,000 ₫ for the landlord.
- 3Registration is needed to extend your visa and open a bank account.