How to Find Accommodation in Vietnam: A Complete Guide

Housing Options: From Apartments to Villas

😊 You can find accommodation in Vietnam to suit all tastes and budgets. A one-room apartment in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City can cost from $200 to $500 per month, depending on the neighborhood and condition. It is often possible to rent an apartment where there is a swimming pool on the roof of the building and a gym on the first floor. Cleaning twice a week is also often included, but these apartments will cost more.

🏠 Villas are a luxury housing option and prices start at $1000 per month. These homes are usually spacious, with their own pool and garden. They can be located either in the city or in coastal areas. Housing at this level is often chosen by families or those who prefer to live in comfort.

🏡 The cost of an apartment and its quality may depend on the neighborhood. In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, there are Russian neighborhoods like Binh Thanh and Thalam where you can meet compatriots and find Russian stores. In Hanoi, there are Korean neighborhoods like Midinh and Gangnam, with many Korean restaurants and stores.

😎 As for the condition of the accommodation, it all depends on the price. Cheap apartments may be old and in need of repair, while more expensive ones may be modern and well-maintained. In many cases, accommodation is rented with air conditioning and a washing machine, which makes life much easier.

Where to Look for Housing: Online and Offline Resources

😊 The most popular way to find accommodation in Vietnam is through online services such as Booking and Airbnb. They are convenient and allow you to quickly find options, but you need to remember that the prices there are inflated. This is due to the fact that users of these services are considered a solvent audience, and the owners of accommodation accordingly charge higher prices.

💻 A second great resource is Facebook Marketplace. Here you can find housing options from both owners and realtors. In Vietnam, realtors do not charge you a commission for their services, it is paid by the owner. Prices for many listings are 15-20% lower than on Booking and Airbnb. This is a great way to save money, especially if you are looking for a long term stay.

🚶‍♂️ Don't forget about offline methods of searching for accommodation. Walking along the streets, you may come across signs describing apartments. Also, you can find good options through Vietnamese acquaintances. They often know where you can rent an apartment quickly and cheaply, and can provide you with contact details of the owners.

What to Negotiate with the Host: Important Points

😊 You will most likely be looking for accommodation through a realtor, and when you meet the landlord you will have to communicate through them if you don't know Vietnamese. Realtors often know English, so this won't be a problem. The landlords here are simple and friendly people who do not come from a position of "power". You should not be afraid of not agreeing on some points, it will always be possible to discuss the terms.

💡 The cost of electricity and water are fixed costs, and you will not be able to move the price here. However, the cost of renting the apartment itself can be flexible. Apartments are usually rented for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, and landlords are used to renting them for short periods of time. If you are willing to rent for a longer term, you can try to negotiate a lower price. Bargain carefully and it is quite possible to save 500,000 to 2,000,000 VND.

🐾 Other important things to discuss with your host are the date of payment, whether you can stay with pets, whether cleaning 1-2 times a week is included in the price, and whether you can buy necessary items for your stay. These questions will help you to make your stay more comfortable and avoid misunderstandings in the future.

Documents and Contracts: What to look out for

😊 If you plan not to renew your rental apartment or villa, make sure you give the landlord 10-15 days' notice before the end of the lease. Each contract may have different terms and conditions, so it's important to keep track of this deadline. If you don't notify in time, the contract may automatically renew.

💡 The deposit is often the cost of one month's rent. To get it back, you need to honor the terms of the agreement and live for the entire specified rental period. The landlord may also deduct an amount from the deposit to cover damages, if any, after your stay. It is important to consider these aspects before signing the contract.

📜 Otherwise, contracts usually follow general rules and contain standard clauses. It is always a good idea to read all terms and conditions carefully before signing to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

🏠 From personal experience: after the end of the rental period, our landlady decided to withhold a deposit of VND500,000 ($20) for cleaning, despite there being no such clause in the contract. We offered the argument that the apartment was returned in a better condition than when we moved in, and successfully got the full amount refunded. Therefore, it is important to stand your ground and refer to what was not stipulated in the contract.

Seasonality and Prices: How Not to Overpay

There are distinct seasons in Vietnam that directly affect accommodation prices. The peak tourist season is usually December-April, when the weather is most comfortable, especially in coastal cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang. At this time, accommodation prices can rise noticeably and there are fewer options, so it's best to book in advance.

In summer, when the heat and humidity are at their peak, the flow of tourists decreases, but locals often head to the coastal towns to enjoy the sea and cooler weather. This can have a slight impact on prices in these areas, but not as much as during the tourist season. Therefore, accommodation during this period can still be found at more affordable prices compared to the winter months.

In order not to overpay, it is best to look for accommodation in the off-season - spring or fall. At this time, rental prices drop significantly and you will have more choices. It is also useful to remember that long term rentals (6 months or more) can often be cheaper and you can negotiate better terms with landlords.

Pitfalls: Personal Experience and Tips

The first of these is advertisements. Many of them were created at a time when the apartment had a fresh renovation and new furniture. But the reality is often far from this ideal. Half of the furniture may disappear, the walls may be covered with stains, and the furniture may be dilapidated. Having personally viewed more than 20 apartments, I can say that this happens in 90% of cases.

The second pitfall is kitchens. In Asia, built-in stoves are not that popular, especially with four sections. Vietnamese save space by installing small electric burners that can be put away after use. If you're used to a large built-in stove, you'll have to revise your expectations or look for a villa where such stoves are more common.

The third pitfall is dense housing. Vietnam's population has reached 102 million in 2024, and many of them live in large cities. Houses stand so close together that your window can face the wall of a neighboring building. In some apartments, sunlight only comes through one balcony door, and the kitchen may remain in the shade. Be prepared for such surprises and check your options carefully before renting.

Thank you for reading this article to the end! If you have any topics that interest you in Vietnam, write in the comments - I'd be happy to talk about them. I would also appreciate your donation to me as the author if you feel it is necessary. See you soon