Living in Saigon 6 months or more

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April 16, 2013 - 8:53pm
#1
johnfrommelbourne
Living in Saigon 6 months or more

Having read a lot of posts on this site and others I just need to be clear on a couple of things please Tomo.
Firstly in Saigon itself is it correct to assume that rents for a small one or two bedroom apartment in Saigon are cheaper for foreigners if the length of stay is 6 months or more?
2) Would it be better to have a local Vietnamese person seek out an apartment on my behalf to avoid any exploitation by a local thinking they can milk an artificially high rent rate from a foreigner.
3) Is there any clear and definitive difference in price for an apartment in regards the different districts. For instance would a small apartment in District 7 for instance be vastly different to same apartment in District 1.
Or I see that District One is close to District 5 and 10 so is it likely that apartments in Districts 1, 3 and 5 are all about the same price
4) I see the prices quoted of US$200-300 a month for a one bedroom apartment at some postings but does not seem realistic to me. However if those prices are not realistic could I assume that I could get a one bedroom apartment for between $400 - $600 a month in most districts which is about all I could afford.

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August 5, 2013 - 10:48am
#2
Anonymous

very useful information. I will look forward to find out more.
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May 15, 2013 - 12:58pm
#3
Anonymous

Tan Binh, district 5... you might have to commute but it's not that far to get to downtown. Also, everything in downtown is probably 3-4 times more expensive (why? because they can) than other districts so unless you're making a lot of money, I wouldn't recommend thinking about living in downtown HCMC. It just doesn't make sense.

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May 14, 2013 - 5:31pm
#4
tomo

Most landlords will want a 6 or 12 month contract, so consider that normal. You'll pay a premium for a shorter term contract so consider just staying in a guesthouse or hotel instead of seeking a really short term contract.

Having a local Vietnamese person helping you not only helps you negotiate, but will help you find housing that you wouldn't have been able to find on your own without being able to read Vietnamese. But there can be trouble with the police when it comes to renting to foreigners, which can make rent higher... It's complicated.

There are different types of housing in different districts. Phu My Hung in District 7 has an abundance of highrises and many expat families stay there. An Phu in District 2 has a number of large houses or villas. District 1 is where you'll find a lot of rooms for rent to foreigners.

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April 17, 2013 - 12:01pm
#5
Anonymous

@ johnfrommelbourne

1) I don't know if it is cheaper for a length of stay is 6 months or more, it is depends on the landlord of course
2) yes, if you know of any Vietnamese can do a preliminary search for you it would help greatly. although sometimes you can still do the bargaining yourself
3) district 1 and 3 are most expensive areas in HCMC since it is considered downtown and the heart of the city. you can get some very good housing from Binh Thanh, Tan Binh, district 5... you might have to commute but it's not that far to get to downtown. Also, everything in downtown is probably 3-4 times more expensive (why? because they can) than other districts so unless you're making a lot of money, I wouldn't recommend thinking about living in downtown HCMC. It just doesn't make sense.

Good luck with the search.

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Asian-American expat living in Vietnam over 3 years. I am involved in tech startups and do Drupal consulting. I choose to live in Saigon and Vietnam and I want to see the city and its people reach their true potential.

Where is Saigon?

It's not wrong to wonder where in the world Saigon is.

Saigon is the name of the city now officially known as Ho Chi Minh City. But most people who call Saigon home call their home Saigon and it's mostly tourists who I hear refer to it as Ho Chi Minh City (or Ho Chi Minh Ville for the French).

After the Vietnam/American War ended in 1975, many place names ceased to exist such as Saigon, South Vietnam, and plenty of street names.

Tu Do is now Dong Khoi, Thong Nhat is Le Duan. And Tan Son Nhut Airport is now Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Rue Paul Blanchy has been Hai Ba Trung since the 1950s.

Those who haven't seen Vietnam for decades will be confused not just by the geographical changes but the incredible amount of development and modernization that has since taken place.

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