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! 😊"
