Student housing paradox: Vacant social housing amid private rental scarcity

A paradox has emerged in the student housing market where low-cost social housing facilities remain largely vacant while students struggle to find affordable private rentals. In Hanoi, major student housing complexes such as Phap Van - Tu Hiep are reporting vacancy rates of over 50%, and My Dinh II has more than 20% of its capacity unleased.

Despite the availability of subsidized rooms—for example, at My Dinh II where rent is approximately 393,000 VND per person per month—students are increasingly turning to private rentals near major universities like the University of Commerce and Vietnam National University. This high demand for private housing in areas like Cau Giay and My Dinh has led to scarcity and rising prices.

Experts suggest the mismatch is driven by factors beyond mere price, including location, connectivity, service quality, and organizational methods. Additionally, students are cautioned to look beyond low base rents, as hidden fees for electricity, water, and services can make seemingly cheap rooms more expensive than transparently priced alternatives.