Vietnam FDI surge drives 130% jump in Ho Chi Minh City rental searches

FDI inflows are lifting Ho Chi Minh City rents

Vietnam drew a record $15.2 billion in registered foreign direct investment in Q1 2026, up 42.9% year on year, while disbursed capital hit $5.41 billion, the highest first-quarter level in five years, the General Statistics Office said. Manufacturing took the biggest share, followed by power, wholesale and retail and real estate.

Ho Chi Minh City’s high-end apartment supply is also growing. JLL projects 7,500 to 8,000 units in 2026, after 1,826 new units entered the market in Q4 2025, with primary prices reaching $5,099 per square meter.

Nomads, expats and renters are feeling the squeeze

Search demand rose fast in January 2026, with Ho Chi Minh City accounting for 50% of nationwide real estate search interest. Rental room searches jumped 130% from January 2025, while apartment and house rental searches rose 52% and 50%.

That demand is showing up most clearly in serviced apartments and higher-end rentals used by expats and corporate transferees. District 1 stays central, District 2’s Thao Dien remains a favorite with foreign renters and Binh Thanh keeps drawing buyers and tenants looking for newer buildings.

What renters can do now

Long-term renters still have options, but they need to move early. Local agents often handle searches without tenant fees and listings are also common on Facebook Marketplace, Chotot and neighborhood walk-throughs; short-term stays can be booked first through Airbnb or Booking.com while people compare areas.

Monthly budgets for digital nomads can still start around $1,000 to $1,500 including rent, food and coworking, but serviced apartments in major cities often run higher. Read our full Vietnam guide for the complete picture and check visa updates for the latest entry rules.