In short: a serviced apartment in Ho Chi Minh City costs roughly 20–40% more than a similar condo, but the price usually includes cleaning, internet and often utilities, with monthly terms and on-site staff. A condo rented from a private owner gives you more space for the money but normally needs a 6- or 12-month lease. Choose serviced for your first months or a short assignment, and a condo once you know where you want to live.
In this article
Most expats we help start in one and move to the other. The choice isn’t about which is better in general – it’s about how long you’re staying, how much you value convenience, and whether you already know the city.
What is a serviced apartment in Ho Chi Minh City?
A serviced apartment is a furnished unit run by an operator, usually a whole building or a block of floors managed like a long-stay hotel. Rent covers furniture, housekeeping and maintenance, and often utilities and internet. Some operators are international brands; others are local companies running smaller buildings in District 1, Binh Thanh or Thao Dien.
A condo, by contrast, is an apartment in a residential building owned by an individual and rented out, usually fully furnished. You deal with the owner or their agent, and you live alongside owner-occupiers in buildings like Vinhomes Central Park or Masteri Thao Dien.
The case for a serviced apartment
- Flexibility. Monthly terms let you try an area before committing to a year.
- One bill. Rent often includes utilities, internet and cleaning, so your monthly cost is predictable.
- Fast fixes. On-site staff handle a broken air conditioner the same day.
- Easy paperwork. Operators are used to foreign guests and handle temporary residence declarations routinely.
The case for a condo
- More space for the money. The same budget usually buys an extra bedroom.
- Better facilities. Big residential projects have pools, gyms, parks and shops on site.
- Room to negotiate. Individual owners are often flexible on rent, furniture and what’s included for a 12-month lease.
- Feels like home. You live among residents rather than in a hotel-style building.
Price comparison: what a budget buys
| Budget (VND/month) | Serviced apartment | Condo |
|---|---|---|
| 15 – 20 million | Studio in Binh Thanh or Thao Dien, cleaning included | 1-bedroom in Vinhomes Central Park or Thao Dien |
| 25 – 35 million | 1-bedroom in District 1 | 2-bedroom in Thao Dien or Binh Thanh riverside |
| 40 – 60 million | 2-bedroom serviced in a central building | 3-bedroom in Thu Thiem or a large Thao Dien unit |
For current condo prices by area, see our guide to apartment rent prices in Ho Chi Minh City.
A note on short stays and licensing
Ho Chi Minh City banned stays of under 30 days in residential apartment buildings in 2025, then reopened them from 25 April 2026 under Decision 19/2026/QĐ-UBND. Owners now have to register as licensed accommodation providers and follow tourism, tax and building rules. If you’re booking a short stay in a condo, ask whether the unit is registered. Serviced apartment operators running proper businesses already are.
Which one should you choose?
- Arriving for the first time: book 1–3 months in a serviced apartment, explore, then sign a condo lease.
- Assignment under six months: serviced is usually simpler and close in cost once you add everything up.
- Staying a year or more: a condo almost always gives better value and more space.
- Family with children: a condo in a big compound in Thu Thiem, Thao Dien or Phu My Hung, with pools and playgrounds on site.
Find a serviced apartment or condo
Apartment.vn lists both. Use the property type filter to show serviced apartments only, or browse condos in An Khanh Ward, Thanh My Tay Ward and District 1. Our step-by-step renting guide covers leases and deposits, or contact us for a shortlist.
If you plan a short stay in a serviced apartment in Ho Chi Minh City, read Vietcetera on Ho Chi Minh City’s 2026 short-stay rules before booking.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a serviced apartment in Ho Chi Minh City?
A serviced studio or 1-bedroom typically costs 15–35 million VND a month depending on area and inclusions. Two-bedroom serviced units in central buildings often cost 40 million or more.
Are utilities included in serviced apartments?
Often, but many operators cap electricity and charge above the cap. Ask exactly what is included, especially for air conditioning use in the hot season.
Can I rent a condo for one month in Ho Chi Minh City?
Short stays under 30 days in residential buildings are only allowed if the owner is registered as an accommodation provider under the rules in force since April 2026. Most private condos are rented for 6 or 12 months.
Is a serviced apartment worth it?
For the first months or a short assignment, usually yes – you pay for flexibility and convenience. For stays of a year or more, a condo is normally better value.
Do serviced apartments register temporary residence?
Licensed operators declare foreign guests to the police as part of their normal process. Confirm this when you book.