Seasonal Rental Opportunities in Vietnam

Published on October 1, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

As Vietnam continues to establish itself as an essential tourist destination in Southeast Asia, seasonal rental opportunities are experiencing spectacular growth. Whether in vibrant cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, or in breathtaking landscapes like Ha Long Bay and the terraced rice fields of Sapa, the country offers a plethora of choices for savvy investors and curious travelers.

Cultural richness, geographical diversity, and a booming economy contribute to making Vietnam not only a fascinating place to discover but also an attractive market for short-term rentals. By combining centuries-old traditions with rapid modernization, this region attracts an increasing number of international tourists each year seeking authentic and unforgettable experiences, thereby transforming seasonal rentals into a profitable and dynamic sector.

An Attractive Source of Income in Vietnam

Economic Benefits of Seasonal Rentals in Vietnam

Seasonal rentals represent a significant source of income for local property owners, particularly in major tourist areas of Vietnam such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and coastal regions like Da Nang. The rise of international tourism, combined with the growing appeal of digital platforms, has increased the profitability of properties offered for short-term stays.

List of Main Benefits:

• Generation of recurring revenue with stable occupancy rates in major cities.
• Flexibility: ability to adjust prices based on seasonality and demand.
• Rapid property appreciation with effective management.
• Contribution to the local economy through ancillary services (cleaning, maintenance, hospitality).

Average Occupancy Rates by Tourist Region

Region	Average Occupancy Rate	Average Annual Nights Rented	Average Annual Revenue
Ho Chi Minh City	51%	186	VND197M (~$7,000)
(industry sources)

In Ho Chi Minh City, the occupancy rate remains around 51%, equating to approximately 186 nights booked per year, with an average rental income close to $7,000/year for a typical property. The most profitable period is generally December.

In other highly sought-after coastal destinations like Da Nang or Nha Trang, these figures are comparable or even higher during peak tourist season due to the massive influx of international and domestic travelers.

Rental Market Trends & International Tourist Preferences

• Steady increase in total available accommodations on Airbnb and similar platforms (+4% year-over-year).
• Marked preference for:
  • Modern apartments located downtown or near beaches.
  • Accommodations offering additional services (high-speed wifi, pool).
  • Authentic local experiences enhanced by multilingual communication.

The Vietnamese market is projected to reach nearly $391 million in revenue for the vacation rental sector by 2025.

Popular Platforms Used

• Airbnb
• Booking.com
• Agoda Homes

These platforms facilitate international visibility while providing property owners with advanced statistical tools and simplified booking/payment management.

Financial Analysis: Profits vs Expenses

Main Expense Sources:

• Routine maintenance (professional cleaning between stays)
• Platform fees (commission between 10% and 18%)
• Regular technical maintenance (plumbing/electrical)

Summary Comparison:

Item	Average Revenue	Average Expenses
Short-term rental	~$7,000/year
Platform commission		~15%
Maintenance/cleaning		variable (~$500–$1,500/year)

Despite these fixed costs varying by target standard, net profitability remains higher than long-term leases, provided the occupancy rate exceeds approximately 40–45%.

Local Regulatory Impact

To date, local regulations remain relatively flexible in several urban areas like Ho Chi Minh City; there are not yet strict quotas or restrictions limiting supply. However, foreign and local property owners are advised to stay informed as some provinces are currently considering increased regulation, particularly to:

• Tax these rental revenues.
• Protect access to permanent housing for Vietnamese residents.

⚠️ Legislative changes are possible; therefore, it is always advisable to regularly consult local legal updates before any new market entry.

The Essential Advantages of Seasonal Rentals in Vietnam

Seasonal rentals in Vietnam offer remarkable benefits for both property owners and travelers, thanks to the region’s rich territory and evolving tourism market.

Diversity of Landscapes and Tourist Destinations

Vietnam offers a wide variety of landscapes: beaches (Nha Trang, Da Nang), mountains (Sapa), historic cities (Hanoi, Hoi An), and authentic countryside.

• This diversity attracts a continuous flow of travelers throughout the year, strengthening demand in the seasonal rental market.
• Stays in homestays or rentals allow visitors to explore each region and its traditions more deeply.

Types of Destinations	Attractiveness
Coastal	Year-round beach tourism
Mountains	Trekking and ecotourism
Cultural Cities	Historical heritage
Countryside/Delta	Authentic rural experiences

Financial Benefits for Property Owners

Potential rental income higher than long-term leases: by targeting peak tourist seasons, it’s possible to increase overall annual returns.

Optimization of availability calendar: freedom for owners to use their property off-season or during low periods; ability to adjust prices based on local demand.

Simplified comparison of potential income:

Type of Rental	Estimated Average Monthly Income*	Calendar Flexibility
Traditional Rental	Low to Medium	Low
Seasonal Rental	Medium to High	High

(*depending on city/size/amenities)

Favorable Logistical Aspects

Daily management becomes simpler thanks to digital platforms that offer:

• Centralized booking management
• Automated tools for dynamic pricing
• Facilitated communication with diverse international clientele

Increased flexibility in choosing available dates or selecting tenant profiles

List of Major Platforms Used:

• Airbnb
• Booking.com
• Vietnamese local platforms

Growing Demand for Immersive Experiences

International tourists today seek more than just accommodation: they want to live immersive experiences with local hosts.

Homestays promote cultural exchange, regional culinary discovery, and contribute to real immersion in Vietnamese lifestyle.

The “homestay” experience often allows travelers to “interact with locals, participate in traditional activities like cooking or crafts.”

Positive Impact on Local Economy

The dynamic created by seasonal rentals directly benefits local communities:

• Direct job creation: cleaning services, ancillary services (airport transfers, excursions…)
• Indirect development: local family restaurants, independent tour guides

Home-cooked meals offered during stays also provide direct financial supplements to host families

Non-exhaustive list of boosted services:

• Cleaning & laundry
• Delivery/restaurants
• Cultural & craft activities
• Local transport & excursions

Seasonal rentals in Vietnam therefore stand out for their unique ability to combine high financial profitability for owners with the authenticity sought by an increasingly numerous international clientele. They serve as a local economic driver while sustainably enhancing Vietnam’s natural and cultural heritage.

Mastering Property Management

Understanding local regulations regarding seasonal rentals in Vietnam is essential to avoid penalties and ensure legal property operation. Since August 2024, the law explicitly prohibits short-term rentals in residential apartments in Ho Chi Minh City and other major cities. Only apartments located in mixed-use projects, such as approved condotels, can be rented for tourist purposes. Any seasonal rental activity requires obtaining appropriate licenses and registering tenants with local authorities. Property owners must therefore verify their property’s eligibility and strictly comply with registration and reporting requirements to competent authorities.

Main Regulatory Requirements:

• Seasonal rentals prohibited in standard residential apartments.
• Need for specific approval for tourist-oriented accommodations (condotels).
• Obligation to report temporary tenants to authorities.
• Risk of penalties and income loss for non-compliance.

To facilitate booking management, payments, and communication with customers, several digital tools and technologies are available:

• Property Management Systems (PMS): automation of bookings, calendar synchronization, centralized payment management.
• Online payment tools: integration of solutions like Stripe, PayPal, or local banking services to secure and automate transactions.
• Integrated messaging platforms: centralized management of customer communications (automatic responses, notifications, instant translations).
• Mobile management applications: real-time tracking of bookings, management of cleaning and maintenance tasks.

Examples of Common Tools and Technologies:

Function	Tool/Technology
Booking Management	Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda
Secure Payments	Stripe, PayPal, VNPAY
Customer Communication	WhatsApp, WeChat, integrated messaging
Task Management (cleaning, maintenance)	Properly, TurnoverBnB

Seasonality has a major impact on the management and profitability of seasonal rentals in Vietnam, where demand varies significantly according to tourist periods (national holidays, school vacations, climate seasons). To optimize prices:

• Analyze local demand: adapt rates based on tourist peaks and local events.
• Use dynamic pricing tools: software like PriceLabs or Beyond Pricing automatically adjust prices according to supply and demand.
• Offer promotions during low season: to maintain high occupancy rates and attract customers during off-peak periods.

Tips for Managing Seasonality and Pricing:

• Monitor local event calendars.
• Regularly update rates.
• Offer discounts for long stays or last-minute bookings during low season.

Regular maintenance and cleaning service management are essential to guarantee high-quality standards and retain customers:

• Schedule regular property inspections.
• Implement checklists for cleaning and maintenance.
• Work with reliable local providers or use specialized platforms to coordinate cleaning.
• Collect customer feedback to identify areas for improvement.

Practical Tips for Maintenance and Cleaning:

• Establish a cleaning schedule between each rental.
• Use appropriate products and professional-grade quality.
• Train staff in hospitality standards.

In Vietnam, several popular platforms allow reaching a wide audience of potential tenants:

Platform	Strengths
Airbnb	Broad international visibility, integrated management tools
Booking.com	Strong local and international presence, flexible rate management
Agoda Homes	Specialization in Asia, local payments
Luxstay	Vietnamese platform, adapted to local market

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Scrupulously respect local legislation and obtain all necessary authorizations.
• Automate management using digital tools to save time and limit errors.
• Adapt pricing strategy to seasonality to maximize revenue.
• Prioritize maintenance and cleanliness to maintain high standards and obtain good customer reviews.
• Diversify presence across multiple platforms to reach maximum tenants.

Understanding Local Regulations

Local Regulations in Vietnam for Seasonal Rentals

Foreign Ownership Laws

• Foreigners can acquire certain types of real estate in Vietnam, mainly apartments in state-approved projects.
• Land purchase remains prohibited for non-nationals; only land use rights for a determined period (often 50 years renewable) are possible through certain contracts.

Licenses Required to Rent Properties

• Seasonal rentals require declaration to local authorities (People’s Committee of the ward or district).
• A commercial operating license may be required, especially if the accommodation is regularly offered to tourist clientele.
• For residences in collective buildings, check the co-ownership regulations: some explicitly prohibit short-term rentals.

Taxes Applicable to Property Owners and Tenants

Type of Tax	Vietnamese Resident Owner	Foreign Owner	Tenant
Rental Income Tax	Yes (progressive rate based on income)	Yes (with specific tax obligations)	No
Value Added Tax	May apply depending on tax status	May apply	No
Property Tax	Yes	Yes	No

For any regular activity, tax registration is mandatory. Non-compliance exposes to adjustments and fines.

Restrictions Imposed by Certain Municipalities

Ho Chi Minh City:

• Since March 2025, strict prohibition of short-term rentals in residential apartments, particularly via Airbnb or similar platforms.
• This measure aims to reserve this market for licensed operators and avoid undeclared wild rentals.
• The term “short-term” has not yet received an official precise definition but concerns all classic forms of tourist rentals.

Hanoi:

Regulations more flexible than Ho Chi Minh City but trend toward strengthened administrative control localized in certain central tourist districts.

Rural or Tourist Areas:

Generally less strict; several provinces actively promote private tourist offerings subject to simple registration with the local People’s Committee.

Differences Between Major Cities and Rural/Tourist Regions

Criteria	Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City	Rural/Tourist Regions
Urban Planning Rules	More restrictive	Less constraining
Administrative Control	Frequent	Sometimes relaxed
Rental via External Platforms	Prohibited/heavily regulated	Sometimes tolerated

Practical Tips for Potential Owners

Systematically verify local regulations and any co-ownership rules before any seasonal rental investment.

1. Register with the competent People’s Committee with all required supporting documents (property title, standard lease contract…).
2. Open a specific Vietnamese tax number;
3. Maintain clear accounting;
4. Systematically declare all rental income;
5. Frequently inquire about municipal regulatory changes that can evolve quickly.

Scrupulously following these procedures strongly limits the risk of administrative or tax fines.