Your Ultimate Guide to House Rentals in Saigon

Saigon is the city of millions, crowded, and bustling as the biggest metropolis of Vietnam should be. For expats, finding a new home to settle down in the city among the endless possibilities can be challenging, unless you know exactly what to look for. So, we’ve come up with a guide to help you do just that! This is our ultimate guide to house rentals in Saigon!

House Rentals in Saigon Overview

There are many options you can choose from to build your new settlement in Saigon: studios, apartments, houses, or rooms within houses. Their prices also vary depending on the quality and quantity of the furniture, types of accommodation, and the location.

House Rentals in Saigon Price per Month

• A room with an enclosed bathroom: VND 2,000,000 - VND 3,500,000
• An apartment: VND 5,000,000 - VND 25,000,000
• A private house: VND 15,000,000 - VND 60,000,000

Tips:

• Your rental cost may not include wifi, electricity, and water bills, which will add in roughly VND 1,000,000.
• If you wish to save some budget, consider renting a room with shared conveniences (bathrooms, kitchens,...).

Types of Available House Rentals in Saigon

Enclosed room: A room for lease within the owners’ home

Shared apartment: An apartment with more than 2 bedrooms, all the commodities are shared by dwellers

An apartment: A private apartment with all the necessities (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom,...)

A house: A private house with multiple floors and rooms, which can be leased to others

A villa: A luxury choice of accommodation, usually includes several bedrooms, all the basics, perhaps a pool, and is fully furnished

Required Documents for House Rentals in Saigon

The 2014 Vietnam Housing Law states that foreigners who are allowed to enter Vietnam can rent houses. The basic documents that you need to prepare are:

• Temporary residence declaration, registered at the ward's police station
• A valid passport and legal residence permit in Vietnam for at least 6 months
• House leasing contract

Besides these, other documentation such as a business certificate is necessary if you rent the property for work.

Guide to House Rentals in Saigon: What You Should Do?

Set Your Goal!

Setting a goal for your ideal house should help you speed up the finding process. Make a list of what you must have to comfortably live in your new home, which districts of Saigon you want to be in, and lastly, put down the budget you wish to spend on accommodation each month. This will provide you with a general idea of the dream house.

It’s a great idea to stay near good eats

We’ve compiled a list of questions for this process:

• Do you prefer quiet places or lively ones?
• Do you want to cook?
• Do you want to stay out late?
• What do you prioritize?
• Do you need lots of light?
• Do you wish to stay near your workplace?
• How long are you planning to stay?

Also, take into account your commute route

Decide Where to Stay

To help you determine your neighborhood, here’s a quick review about the housing prospect of some prevalent districts for expats in Saigon:

District 1: The wealthiest district in all of Saigon, with a high concentration of recreational services, restaurants, and coffee shops. These conveniences come with a price on the higher end.

Popular rental options: enclosed room and shared apartment

Price range: starting from VND 5,500,000 for a shared room on Cau Ong Lanh Ward (20 square meters, bathroom included)

The Cafe Apartment in Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street

District 2: The newly developed urban area of Saigon, located right next to the central District 1. House rentals are quite reasonable and the traffic is far less than its neighbor. Recently, Thao Dien Ward in District 2 has become a popular choice for Westerners with many services cater to their preferences.

Popular rental options: shared apartment, apartment, and house (especially in the Thao Dien gated compound)

Price range: starting from VND 6,000,000 for a small apartment in Thao Dien Ward (20 square meters)

District 3: The office center of the city. If you’re seeking house rentals in Saigon, this may be a good choice for experiencing the local life and traveling to work.

Popular rental options: enclosed room, shared apartment, and apartment

Price range: starting from VND 5,000,000 for a mini apartment (25 - 40 square meters)

The local life in the hidden alleyways

Binh Thanh and Phu Nhuan District: The home to most English centers, and thus English teachers, in Saigon. They offer housing options on either end of the spectrum at a fraction of the price compared to District 1.

Popular rental options: enclosed room, shared apartment, and apartment

Price range: starting from VND 5,200,000 for a shared apartment (40 - 50 square meters)

District 7: The epicenter for Koreans. If you happen to love Korean food, District 7 is where to find your house rentals in Saigon. Many big companies set their offices here, but do mind the heavy traffic during rush hours.

Popular rental options: shared apartment, apartment, and house (especially in the Phu My Hung gated compound)

Price range: starting from VND 5,300,000 for a shared room near Lotte Mart in Tan Hung Ward (25 square meters, bathroom included)

Get Some Local Knowledge

Once you have your dream list, house rentals in Saigon are pretty straight forward, but you should enlist the help of some Vietnamese friends. They speak the local language and know the city like the back of their hands. Asking for their opinion or their help in dealing with the owners will allow you to find your ideal stay with much more ease.

Check out our private motorbike tours with professional local guides for fun and insightful trips in Ho Chi Minh City!

Go Straight to the Owner

Renting houses via agents can provide somewhat of a guarantee, especially for those who don’t know the city well. But it can also be more costly since you’re using a service. So our advice for your house rentals in Saigon is to get on the Internet, find houses with the facilities you need, and directly reach the owners. You can visit helpful Facebook pages and websites for expats like Expats & Locals in Saigon, Housing for Expats in Ho Chi Minh City, Housing for Expats in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), or Savill.

Go for a Walk

You’ve just checked out the place and you love it? Well, don’t jump into the contract just yet. Take a little walk around the area to see whether it can support a convenient life there. Look for supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment options that can keep yourself relaxed after work.

Spending some time at a cafe may relieve your stress

Learn Vietnamese

Why do learning Vietnamese have anything to do with house rentals in Saigon? Well, Vietnamese locals are friendly, even more so if you speak their language. The element of surprise when you suddenly burst out some Vietnamese phrases such as “xin chao” (hello), “toi muon thue nha” (I want to rent a house) may end up in better pricing.

Conclusion on House Rentals in Saigon

House rentals in Saigon can be challenging, especially for those who are new to the city and its rapid pace of life. However, with a bit of careful listing, planning, researching, and some help, you can surely score yourself a wonderful home. Like our article? Share it with your friends so that they won’t have problems finding a new home in Saigon!

For more information on life in Vietnam, see our Vietnam Guide right now!

Look for hotels in Saigon below: