Over 8,700 apartments in Ho Chi Minh City listed on Airbnb

Most of these units are used for short-term stays, which has sparked ongoing conflicts between tenants, building management boards, and long-term residents.

Among the apartment buildings operating under the Airbnb model are Vinhomes Central Park with 4,000 leased units, River Gate with 650 units, Thao Dien Masteri and Lumiere with 400 units each, Millennium with 350 units, and Saigon Royal with 250 units.

In response to rising tensions and regulatory gaps related to short-term rental services, the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association has submitted a proposal to the municipal People’s Committee and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, hinting at revising Article 12 of Decision No. 26 dated February 27, 2025, which governs the management and use of apartment buildings in the city.

The association emphasized that the use of apartment units as short-term lodging must comply with existing construction laws.

Furthermore, individuals and organizations providing such short-term stay services must meet legal standards set forth in housing, real estate business, and tourism laws.

These operators must register their business and pay taxes in accordance with the prevailing regulations.

Additionally, both owners and renters, regardless of whether they are Vietnamese citizens, foreign nationals, or overseas Vietnamese, must fulfill temporary residence registration requirements.

These procedures are to be carried out directly at the local police stations at the ward or commune level.

All parties involved in short-term rentals must adhere to apartment building regulations and broader legal provisions.

The association has also proposed the Standing Committee of the National Assembly consider clarifying some definitions in the Housing Law 2023.

Specifically, it seeks clarity on the terms ‘using an apartment for residential purposes’ and ‘using an apartment for non-residential purposes’ to help local authorities implement the law more consistently and effectively.

Vietnam is drafting new regulations to tighten oversight of short-term rentals in apartment buildings, as platforms like Airbnb gain popularity but pose growing concerns around safety, tax transparency, and community impact.