Vietnam Residential Market Enters a More Selective Cycle

Vietnam’s residential market opened 2026 in a transition phase, with prices still rising but liquidity cooling. This suggests the market is moving away from easy speculative gains toward a more disciplined cycle.

Residential prices rose around 12% year-on-year in Q1 2026, while liquidity fell nearly 40%. However, there was no sign of distress selling, pointing to a healthy reset rather than a sharp downturn.

Primary condominium prices reached new highs across major cities. In Hanoi, average prices were around USD 3,950 per sqm, up 30% year-on-year. In post-merger Ho Chi Minh City, prices averaged around USD 3,900 per sqm, supported by new supply and limited premium stock.

Supply also improved. Ho Chi Minh City recorded around 8,010 new condo launches, up 104% year-on-year. Yet affordability remains the key challenge, with much of the new supply priced above the level affordable to mass-market buyers. 

Strong Fundamentals, But Investors Are More Careful

Vietnam’s underlying fundamentals remain supportive. The economy grew 8.02% in 2025, while real estate FDI reached USD 389.5 million in Q1 2026, representing around 7.2% of total inflows.

However, investor behaviour is changing. Demand is now concentrating on projects with clear legal status, reliable construction progress and long-term value. Satellite locations such as Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau are gaining attention as central city prices continue to stretch.

Outlook

Vietnam’s property market is expected to remain attractive, but more selective.

With average gross rental yields at around 3.85%, the market is less of a pure income play and more of a capital appreciation and infrastructure-led growth story. Buyers with strong holding power, careful project selection and a long-term view are likely to be better positioned than short-term speculators.