Accommodation

Hi, I'm in Sai Gon now and looking around. is there any apps you recommend, preferably in English ? I have Cho Tot but would like more access. District 7 is my preferred but prices are rocketing. My friend is pushing me toward Thu Duc. I am looking for 2 bedrooms, aircon , basic furniture and balcony.thanks in advance. - @MarkinNam

More and more I am turning to AI to search and figure out all types of things.

For instance, I just asked GROK AI for an answer to your query, specifying that I'd like to find three to five Vietnamese language rental sites (Vietnamese landlords tend to list on internet sites but not as much through apps)

Here's the reply I got:

[GROK]

"Here's a helpful response you can share with your friend in Saigon (HCMC) to encourage them to explore more rental options beyond just Chợ Tốt. While popular English-friendly sites and Facebook groups (like "Housing/Apartment Solutions in Ho Chi Minh City") cater well to foreigners, many great local Vietnamese sites offer **more listings**, often with better prices, more direct owner contacts, and hidden gems in areas like District 7 (Phú Mỹ Hưng area) and Thu Duc (now part of the expanded city with newer developments like Vinhomes Grand Park).

"These local platforms are primarily in **Vietnamese**, but you can easily use Google Translate (or browser auto-translate) on your phone/computer — it's straightforward for searching filters like "2 phòng ngủ" (2 bedrooms), "có ban công" (with balcony), "điều hòa" (aircon), and "nội thất cơ bản" (basic furniture). Prices in District 7 are indeed rising (often 12–25+ million VND/month for 2-bedroom units with balcony/aircon/furniture), while Thu Duc often has more affordable modern options (8–18 million VND/month) with good connectivity.

"Here are **4 strong Vietnamese-focused rental sites** that locals use a lot and often have more variety than foreigner-targeted ones:

"1. **Batdongsan.com.vn** 

   One of the biggest and most trusted real estate portals in Vietnam. It has thousands of apartment listings in HCMC, with detailed filters for District 7 and Thu Duc (Thành phố Thủ Đức). You can search for "cho thuê căn hộ chung cư quận 7" or "Thủ Đức", specify 2 bedrooms, aircon, furniture, and balcony. Many photos, verified info, and direct agent/owner contacts. Great for comparing prices and seeing newer projects.

"2. **Nhatot.com** (Nhà Tốt) 

   A super popular site (part of the same group as Chợ Tốt but more focused on real estate). It shows over 4,000+ apartment rentals in District 7 alone, with real photos and transparent pricing. Filter by area (e.g., near Lotte Mart or Phú Mỹ Hưng), size, and features like balcony. Often includes more budget-friendly or owner-direct options that don't appear on English sites.

"3. **Phongtro123.com** 

   Excellent for apartments, serviced apartments (căn hộ dịch vụ), and mini-apartments in District 7 and nearby. It has tons of recent listings with full furniture, aircon, and balconies — many in the 7–15 million VND range. Very local-focused, with new posts daily, and good for areas near universities (RMIT, TDTU) or malls (Lotte, Crescent).

"4. **Mogi.vn** 

   A clean, user-friendly site for rentals across HCMC, including plenty in District 7 and Thu Duc. It covers apartments, houses, and more, with easy filters and updated prices. Locals use it a lot for both high-end and mid-range options.

**Quick tips for your friend**:

- Use search terms like: "cho thuê căn hộ 2 phòng ngủ quận 7 có ban công nội thất" (for District 7) or "Thủ Đức" (for Thu Duc).

- Contact posters via phone/Zalo (most common in Vietnam) — many owners prefer this over apps.

- Always view in person, check utilities (điện/nước), and negotiate (prices are often flexible, especially for longer leases).

- Thu Duc is worth considering: newer buildings, greener spaces, and lower prices than District 7, with improving metro connections.

These sites will give way more access than Chợ Tốt alone, especially for local-market deals. Once your friend starts browsing with translate on, they'll see tons of suitable 2-bedroom options with aircon, basic furniture, and balcony — many in the areas they like!

If they share more details (budget, exact preferences), I can help refine suggestions further. Good luck house hunting — Saigon has great spots! 😊"

One more thought:

You can use the Airbnb app to locate places for rent for 28 days or longer (even if the price seems high) and then use the private message function to tell the owner that you'd like to come view the place before renting.

Once you have physically seen the place and you are face to face with the landlord, you can make your best offer for being a long-term tenant of the place.

@OceanBeach92107

WoW, Thanks very much for your effort, great info.

@MarkinNam

thanks again OB, my friend has suggested that they want to move to something bigger, preferably a house. My concerns are being a spare thumb in the home and the chance he or she may be a moaner after hours. kkkk ut it wil be a start.

Does anyone know a rental site which doesn't use fish eye lens for photos and presents a real perspective of apartment.  Im looking in D7. Thanks

Does anyone know a rental site which doesn't use fish eye lens for photos and presents a real perspective of apartment. Im looking in D7. Thanks - @MarkinNam

Even on decent websites, deceptive photograph are the rule not the exception in Vietnam.

There is simply no substitution for physically going to a property and viewing it in person

@MarkinNam

Well, my friend has shown to be disinterested in helping at all despite his assertions, im now in Tran Xuan , District 7 area in a tiny room with balcony cooking.  Starting to doubt my decision to live here, the humidity is a killer and now im helping my friend renovating his house in My Lượng.  The apathy is everywhere.

@MarkinNam Well, my friend has shown to be disinterested in helping at all despite his assertions, im now in Tran Xuan , District 7 area in a tiny room with balcony cooking. Starting to doubt my decision to live here, the humidity is a killer and now im helping my friend renovating his house in My Lượng. The apathy is everywhere. - @MarkinNam

Did you read posts #7 and 8, here?

Dry season is just around the corner, so the humidity will drop considerably.

Hang in there Mark. Chin up, and you'll be fine.

@MarkinNam
Well, my friend has shown to be disinterested in helping at all despite his assertions, im now in Tran Xuan , District 7 area in a tiny room with balcony cooking. Starting to doubt my decision to live here, the humidity is a killer and now im helping my friend renovating his house in My Lượng. The apathy is everywhere. - @MarkinNam

Try Hội An or Nha Trang

@Aidan in HCMC

Thanks. I hope so.

@OceanBeach92107

Not sure about these specific places, but in my experience, yes, Vietnam is a lot more liveable and relaxing outside of the largest cities.

As for the weather, we're located in a tropical climate, so as the saying goes, if you can't stand the heat (and humidity)....

@OceanBeach92107
Not sure about these specific places, but in my experience, yes, Vietnam is a lot more liveable and relaxing outside of the largest cities.
As for the weather, we're located in a tropical climate, so as the saying goes, if you can't stand the heat (and humidity).... - @jayrozzetti23

That's the reason I recommended Nha Trang.

There's no perfect place to live in Vietnam but based on averages, the region between Nha Trang and Phan Thiết/Mũi Né is the driest.

It's below the traditional winter Northern monsoon region and North of the traditional summer Southern monsoon region.

Phan Thiết specifically is often recommended to people looking for the driest place to live along the coast.

Downside to that is that the general surrounding area tends not to be quite as lushly green as other areas up and down the coast.

@OceanBeach92107

I have just found out the owner of the homestay im in , a friend,  has not registered me using the government app, only with local police... he says.... ive been informed by a different rental agent that police are doing checks in the area, my friends response is that they only check at night... wtf... and I could be arrested.  This is becoming a nightmare. I

@MarkinNam

The homestay registration at the Police only (missing the one at the Minister of Security webapp) is still acceptable.  However, in any of both cases, you MUST have the original or notarized copy with you, specially when the landlord is not living in the same building.

In addition, the Police can, and surely will, knock your door at anytime of the day or night; they can ask your neighbors and also at your place of work.   They are as effective as the ICE of EEUU, nothing to be afraid of, just realize that compared to the situation in other countries, is the main reason why this one is still very safe.

To be arrested? not really if you are totally honest that you had collaborated with everything for your registration. The registration is a shared responsibility (yours and the owner) and any misunderstanding is easy to clarify with honesty

@ajairon

By Must have motorized copy with you, do you mean he should provide me a copy , I'm not quiet getting your meaning. Do you mean my visa ? The landlord does not live in the same building. He sent me a screen shot of the registration, Is that sufficient ?

@ajairon

I've just searched the net and got this..https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1785912/accommodation-providers-required-to-register-foreign-guests-temporary-residence-immediately-upon-arrival.html ,so I have to just accept what he has done is sufficient.

@MarkinNam

well, if you are here just as a tourist then the screenshot of your Homestay Registration should be enough. But for other long terms you could be requested to attach the notarized copy within any request to the Minister of Foreing Affairs or Security (visa swaping, TRC, etc)

@MarkinNam
The homestay registration at the Police only (missing the one at the Minister of Security webapp) is still acceptable.

Agreed, though local police detachments would prefer that the property owner register the foreigner(s) using immigration's online portal.

However, in any of both cases, you MUST have the original or notarized copy with you, specially when the landlord is not living in the same building.

There is no requirement for the foreigner to hold proof of the property owner/manager having registered the foreigner's stay. Likewise, the property owner/manager is not obligated to provide same to the foreigner. I can't see any reason why they would object to providing a visitor with a copy, but they are not obligated to.

In addition, the Police can, and surely will, knock your door at anytime of the day or night; they can ask your neighbors and also at your place of work. They are as effective as the ICE of EEUU, nothing to be afraid of, just realize that compared to the situation in other countries, is the main reason why this one is still very safe.

Certainly the police "can", but stating that they "surely will" is a bit of an overstatement.

To be arrested? not really if you are totally honest that you had collaborated with everything for your registration. The registration is a shared responsibility (yours and the owner) and any misunderstanding is easy to clarify with honesty - @ajairon

According to the legislation I've read (i.e. a lot) the only obligation the foreigner bears is to provide the property owner/manager with a copy of their passport bio page, and a copy of their current valid visa. The owner, in turn, must then comply with legislation and register the foreigner's stay. That is the extent of any shared responsibility.

Long-time expats in Vietnam understand that there exists the letter of the law, the interpretation of the law, and the enforcement of the law. Often these three variables will contradict each other.

@ajairon
I've just searched the net and got this..https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1785912/accommodation-providers-required-to-register-foreign-guests-temporary-residence-immediately-upon-arrival.html ,so I have to just accept what he has done is sufficient. - @MarkinNam

That's correct.

... The landlord does not live in the same building. He sent me a screen shot of the registration, Is that sufficient ? - @MarkinNam

What's the form number and title in the screenshot?

It should be Form NA17

Temporary Residence Declaration Form for Foreigners (Phiếu khai báo tạm trú cho người nước ngoài)

@OceanBeach92107

No registration number shown,  just Ong Ban quay lai o tu nay toi het 19/ 10/26 nah con. On the photo of what he says is my registration.

@MarkinNam

Not very convercent with emojies.

@MarkinNam
Not very convercent with emojies. - @MarkinNam

Hover your cursor over "React" and you'll see what each means