Finding & Setting Up Your Location
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20 min
Renting Commercial Space in Saigon
How the Saigon rental market actually works, what to look for, and the red flags to avoid.
Renting Commercial Space in Saigon
The commercial real estate market in Saigon operates very differently from Western cities. Understanding how it works will save you significant money and avoid costly mistakes.
How the Market Works
- Most commercial spaces are listed on batdongsan.com.vn, nhadat.com.vn, or via agents on Facebook groups
- Prices are quoted per month in USD (converted to VND at payment)
- Landlords typically request 3–6 months deposit + first month upfront
- Leases are commonly 1–3 years with annual rent escalation clauses (5–10%)
Price Ranges by District (2024)
| District | Shophouse / retail | Office floor |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 (prime) | $2,000–15,000/month | $25–45/m² |
| District 3 | $800–3,000/month | $15–25/m² |
| District 2 / Thảo Điền | $1,000–5,000/month | $20–35/m² |
| Bình Thạnh | $400–1,500/month | $10–18/m² |
What to Check Before Signing
- Legal ownership — ask for the sổ đỏ (red book / land use right certificate). Make sure the person signing the lease actually owns the property or has authorization
- Zoning — confirm the property is zoned for your business type (commercial / service / production)
- Utility costs — electricity in commercial premises is billed at commercial rates (~$0.12–0.18/kWh) — much higher than residential
- Noise and access — visit at 7am, 12pm, 6pm, and 9pm to understand traffic and noise patterns
- Internet infrastructure — fiber is available almost everywhere in Saigon, but verify building cabling
Lease Agreement Red Flags
- No clause specifying the condition of handover and return
- Rent escalation of more than 10% / year without cap
- Landlord can terminate with less than 3 months notice
- No specification of who pays for major repairs
Always have a bilingual lawyer review your lease before signing. A lease review costs $200–400 and can save you from a contract that lets your landlord kick you out after 6 months.