When you first arrive in Vietnam, one of the first decisions is whether to rent a furnished or unfurnished apartment. The choice affects your budget, setup time, and how much freedom you have to personalize the space. This guide compares both options using real market data from Vietnam in 2026.
Before comparing, it's important to understand the terminology—"furnished" in Vietnam has multiple levels:
Around 80-90% of expats in Vietnam rent fully-furnished apartments, while the local market is roughly 60-65% semi or unfurnished.
The rent premium for furnished vs unfurnished in Vietnam is typically 15-25%:
Real example, HCMC (2-bedroom apartment):
Hanoi (Tay Ho, 2-bedroom apartment):
But that gap is only part of the picture. Buying furniture for a 2-bedroom apartment in HCMC typically costs $5,000-$15,000 (bed, sofa, dining table, fridge, washer, AC, lighting, kitchenware), and takes 3-6 weeks to complete.
Quick math:
Most expats arriving in Vietnam should rent fully-furnished. These situations especially favor it:
An underrated advantage: furnished apartments in premium buildings like Vinhomes Central Park, Masteri Thao Dien, or Saigon Pearl tend to have consistent, decent-quality furniture—beds, sofas, and appliances are usually mid-range or above.
Unfurnished isn't a bad option—it fits specific situations:
Important note: "Unfurnished" in Vietnam sometimes lacks even basics like ceiling lights, shower heads, or cabinet doors. Confirm exactly what's included before signing.
Before rushing into furnished, know the potential downsides:
Inconsistent quality:
Deposit and liability:
Items disappearing after viewing:
You don't have to accept the existing furniture:
For 80-90% of expats coming to Vietnam, fully-furnished is the right call—especially for the first year. Saves time, eliminates stress, and keeps you flexible if you need to move.
But if you're staying 2-3+ years, have strong taste, or already own furniture, take unfurnished seriously. Saving $1,500-$2,000/year can buy you much better furniture than what landlords typically provide.
Looking for an apartment in Vietnam? Browse verified listings on VietRent—your trusted platform with both furnished and unfurnished options in HCMC, Hanoi, and Da Nang.
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