Vietnam real estate: HoREA proposes social housing residency rules

Vietnam's real estate sector is facing several regulatory and economic shifts. The Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) has proposed reinstating residency requirements for social housing applicants. This follows instances where projects, such as one in Ho Chi Minh City, saw over 12,000 applicants for approximately 1,000 units, many of whom lived outside the local area. HoREA argues this is necessary to ensure policies reach the intended local beneficiaries.

In the broader residential market, buyers are increasingly considering the 'true cost' of living, including long-term expenses like commuting, maintenance, and management fees, rather than just the purchase price. Data from Savills indicates that in Hanoi, new apartment supply in Q2 2026 was primarily in the high-end segment, with primary asking prices rising significantly.

Additionally, financial experts advise caution regarding mortgage purchases, emphasizing the need for a minimum 30% to 50% down payment and careful assessment of interest rate fluctuations. Meanwhile, the government is piloting a program to value intellectual property rights for research institutes and startups to facilitate economic exploitation.