How to Rent an Apartment in Vietnam: The Ultimate 2025 Guide for Expats

The Expat’s Guide to Accommodation in Vietnam: From Short-Term Stays to Your Long-Term Home

Moving to Vietnam is an incredible adventure, but one of the first big questions is: “Where will I live?” The answer isn’t simple, as your needs will change from your first week to your first year.

For expats planning a long-term stay (1 year+), the accommodation journey typically happens in two phases:

1. The Landing Pad: A temporary, flexible base for your first few weeks or months.

2. The Long-Term Home: The apartment or house where you’ll truly settle in.

This guide will walk you through the best options for each phase, helping you make the right choice for your budget, lifestyle, and timeline.

Phase 1: Your Landing Pad (The First 1-3 Months)

When you first arrive, you need flexibility. It’s wise to book a short-term stay to give yourself time to explore neighborhoods and find your perfect long-term home without pressure.

Hotels

Hotels are the easiest, most straightforward option for your first few nights. Major chains like Sheraton, InterContinental, and Sofitel offer high-end comfort, but boutique hotels across cities like Saigon and Hanoi provide great value.

• Pros: Zero commitment, high level of service (cleaning, reception), great amenities like pools and gyms.

• Cons: The most expensive option for stays longer than a week. It can feel impersonal and lacks a kitchen, making it hard to feel “at home.”

Serviced Apartments (A Top Choice for Expats)

Serviced apartments are the perfect middle ground. They are fully furnished apartments that you can rent weekly or monthly, with services like cleaning, laundry, and utilities included in the price.

• Pros: The perfect blend of hotel convenience and apartment living. You get a kitchen, more space, and a homely feel with none of the hassle of setting up bills.

• Cons: More expensive than a standard long-term rental, making them less cost-effective after the first couple of months.

Phase 2: Securing Your Long-Term Home (1 Year+ Lease)

Once you’ve found your feet, it’s time to find a place to call your own. This is where you’ll sign a lease, typically for one year, and create your home base.

Apartments (The #1 Choice for Expats)

For most expats in cities like Saigon, renting an apartment is the ideal long-term solution. They offer the best balance of community, convenience, and cost.

• Pros:

  • Cost-Effective: Significantly more affordable than hotels or serviced apartments for long-term stays.

  • Space & Privacy: Your own kitchen, living room, and personal space to furnish and decorate as you wish.

  • Community: Modern apartment buildings often have a large expat community, making it easy to meet people. They also have shared amenities like pools, gyms, and BBQ areas.

• Cons (and how to solve them):

  • The Search: Finding high-quality, trustworthy listings online can be overwhelming. Photos can be misleading, and good units are rented quickly.

  • The Lease: Rental contracts are in Vietnamese and can contain confusing clauses. Understanding your rights and responsibilities regarding deposits, repairs, and termination is critical.

  • The Negotiation: Negotiating rent and terms requires local knowledge and can be intimidating with a language barrier.

This is precisely where our service becomes invaluable. We bridge this gap for you. We vet the properties, schedule viewings, review the lease with you in English, and handle negotiations—all at no cost to you, the renter.

Ready to find your apartment in Saigon? 

Houses & Villas

For families or those wanting more space and privacy, renting a house or a villa is a fantastic option, especially in expat-heavy areas like District 2 or District 7 in Saigon.

• Pros: Maximum space, private gardens or pools, ideal for families and pets.

• Cons: Higher utility bills, you are responsible for more maintenance (e.g., garden, pool cleaning), can feel more isolated than an apartment building.

Other Options (For Niche Experiences)

While not typical for long-term expat living, it’s good to know these exist.

Homestays & Guesthouses

These are excellent for tourists or those wanting a very deep, budget-friendly cultural immersion in rural areas. They are typically rooms in a family home.

• Pros: Authentic cultural experience, very affordable.

• Cons: Lack of privacy, basic amenities, not a practical solution for a long-term professional or family living arrangement.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Move

Choosing the right accommodation is the foundation of a successful move to Vietnam. Start with a flexible short-term option like a serviced apartment, then take your time to explore and find the perfect long-term rental that fits your lifestyle.

When you’re ready to find that perfect apartment or house, don’t navigate the complex rental market alone.

Let our team of experts help you find your ideal home in Saigon, stress-free. Our service is 100% free for renters.