Where to find rental apartments in Ho Chi Minh City?

A working search method (used by the author for 2 years, renting in 6-month stints): search Facebook for 'rent Saigon', cross-check listings on Chotot, then join realtor groups on Zalo and post your rental requirements there. Realtors compete for your business and send 10-20 options for free, since their commission comes from the landlord, not the tenant.

Booking an apartment long-term in advance is nearly impossible — it's better to arrive first and search on the ground. You can walk into residential complexes you like and ask staff directly. Asking local Vietnamese people also works well, as most know someone who rents. Always confirm whether the landlord has the right to rent to foreigners.

Chotot is another Vietnamese classifieds site for rentals, similar to a local Craigslist. When using it, always ask the landlord whether they are permitted to rent to foreigners.

On Facebook, besides Marketplace, look in dedicated groups with names like 'Rent for Foreigners HoChiMinh' — these are active with listings aimed at expats. Districts Quan 9 and Long Binh are noted as good value for money.

Homly Asia is a rental search service for Vietnam with its own website and a Telegram channel featuring curated listings and useful tips.

International platforms like Agoda, Booking, Airbnb, and Trip.com are reliable for short-term stays and offer payment protection — good for the first weeks after arrival.

Facebook Marketplace is one of the most active sources for long-term rentals directly from landlords and subletters in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nha Tot is a local Vietnamese real estate classifieds site (similar to Craigslist). It's in Vietnamese, but manageable with a browser translator — lots of direct owner listings.

Batdongsan is another major Vietnamese property portal, focused on long-term rentals and purchases, with filters by Ho Chi Minh City districts.

Once you're in the city, look for signs on buildings: 'Room for rent', 'Phong Thue' (room), 'Nha Thue' (house/apartment), 'Cho Thue' (space). These are direct landlord offers with no middleman.

Expat Telegram rental groups have many subletting offers from other foreigners. Agencies often post current listings in pinned messages of these chats.

Scam warning: fraudsters frequently message people looking for rentals in expat groups. Before any transaction, check the landlord against blacklists maintained in Vietnamese expat Telegram communities.