Renting Furnished vs Unfurnished in Vietnam: 2026 Costs
Furnished apartments in Vietnam cost $100–$300 more per month than unfurnished units. If your lease is longer than 12-18 months, renting unfurnished and...
When searching for long-term rentals in Vietnam, expats immediately face a choice: Should you rent a fully furnished “turnkey” apartment, or opt for an unfurnished unit and build your own home?
While fully furnished is the default for most foreigners, renting unfurnished is a well-kept secret for saving money and creating a better living space. Here is a breakdown of the pros, cons, and actual 2026 costs.
The Fully Furnished Premium
Here is a quick overview of the fully furnished premium:
Answer-first: Furnished apartments in Vietnam cost $100–$300 more per month than unfurnished units. If your lease is longer than 12-18 months, renting unfurnished and buying your own furniture will save you money and protect your back from notoriously hard Vietnamese mattresses.
In Vietnam, “fully furnished” usually means you get the major items: beds, sofas, TVs, dining tables, refrigerators, and washing machines.
The Pros:
- Zero Friction: You arrive with your suitcase and start living immediately.
- Easy Exit: When your lease ends, you simply hand the keys back without worrying about selling a couch on Facebook Marketplace.
The Cons:
- The “Landlord Special”: Many landlords furnish apartments as cheaply as possible to maximize yield. Expect rock-hard mattresses (often compressed cotton), clunky wooden furniture that shrinks the space, and generic decor.
- The Price Premium: Furnished units generally cost a 10% to 25% premium (₫2 million to ₫4 million / $80 to $160 USD) per month.
- The Liability: You are legally responsible for any damage to the landlord’s cheap furniture. A scratched dining table can result in severe deductions from your deposit when you move out.
A 'fully furnished' apartment in Vietnam often does not include an oven or a tumble dryer. If you love baking or hate hanging clothes during monsoon season, negotiate these appliances early.
The Unfurnished Opportunity
Here is a quick overview of the unfurnished opportunity:
Answer-first: “Unfurnished” (Nhà trống) in Vietnam typically means the apartment comes with fitted kitchens, bathrooms, and air conditioning units, but absolutely no movable furniture or appliances.
”Basic Furnished” vs “Raw” (Nhà Thô)
When browsing listings, you must understand the local terminology:
- Nhà Trống (Basic Furnished): This is the sweet spot. The developer has installed the kitchen cabinets, induction stove, bathroom fixtures, air conditioners, and often curtains. You only need to buy movable furniture and appliances (fridge, washing machine, TV).
- Nhà Thô (Raw Shell): Rarely rented to expats, this means the apartment is literally concrete walls. No floors, no kitchen, no toilets. Avoid these unless you are signing a 5-year commercial lease.
The Pros:
- Significant Savings: Over a 12-month lease, saving $200 a month equals $2,400. That is often more than enough to furnish a 1-bedroom apartment nicely.
- Quality Control: You get to choose a comfortable mattress, an ergonomic desk chair, and furniture that actually matches your taste.
The Cons:
- Upfront Cost: You need cash on hand to buy furniture in your first week.
- The Exit Hassle: You are responsible for selling or moving all that furniture when you leave.
The Break-Even Math (2026 Costs)
Here is a quick overview of the break-even math (2026 costs):
Answer-first: A standard 1BR/2BR setup (Mid-range Fridge, Washing Machine, Mattress) totals $1,000 - $2,000. By month 9, your furniture is essentially paid for by your rent savings.
Let’s look at the exact budget for setting up an empty unit in Ho Chi Minh City:
- Reliable Mid-range Fridge: $200 – $400 (Brands like Aqua, Toshiba, or Panasonic)
- Reliable Washing Machine: $200 – $400 (Front-loading LG or Electrolux)
- Quality Mattress (Foam/Spring): $150 – $400 (Lien A or Kymdan if you want premium latex)
- Bed frame, Sofa, Dining Set: $450 - $800
The Appliance Dilemma: Where to Buy
If you rent unfurnished, do not buy your fridge or washing machine from small local shops or Facebook Marketplace unless you want to inherit someone else’s broken motor. Go to the major national electronics retailers: Dien May Xanh, Nguyen Kim, or Dien May Cho Lon. They offer free same-day delivery, free installation (they will hook up the washing machine pipes for you), and strict 1-to-2 year manufacturer warranties.
If you are committing to 18 months or more, renting unfurnished is almost always the better financial decision. You can still recoup 40-50% of the cost by selling it when you eventually leave.
How to Negotiate “Partially Furnished”
Here is a quick overview of how to negotiate “partially furnished”:
Answer-first: Landlords rarely agree to remove their cheap furniture because they have no storage space. If you want an empty unit, you must negotiate before signing or offer to pay for an external storage unit.
Many expats find an apartment they love but hate the furniture. Can you just ask the landlord to remove it?
Usually, no. In Vietnam, most individual landlords do not own storage warehouses. If they take the sofa out, they have nowhere to put it. To successfully negotiate a “partially furnished” setup, you must address this before putting down a deposit. You can offer to rent a cheap local storage locker at your own expense for their items, which often seals the deal. Alternatively, you can ask the landlord to move the unwanted furniture into a spare bedroom, effectively turning a 2BR apartment into a 1BR with a large storage closet.
Where to Buy Cheap Furniture in Vietnam
Here is a quick overview of where to buy cheap furniture in vietnam:
Answer-first: There is NO IKEA in Vietnam. To buy affordable, modern furniture, expats should visit JYSK, MOHO, Go Trang Tri, or browse the massive Expat Facebook groups for second-hand deals.
Since IKEA does not operate in Vietnam, you have to look elsewhere:
- Online: Lazada and Shopee are perfect for small appliances, rugs, and lamps. Cho Tot is the local marketplace for used goods.
- Local Brands: MOHO and Go Trang Tri offer excellent, affordable modern wooden furniture with delivery. JYSK has multiple locations for Scandinavian decor.
- Furniture Streets: Ngô Gia Tự Street (District 10 in HCMC) is famous for furniture showrooms where you can browse and bargain.
The Logistics of Moving
Here is a quick overview of the logistics of moving:
Answer-first: Expats should use the Lalamove app to hire vans or trucks for moving. Avoid traditional Xe Ba Gac (tricycles) for large appliances.
When you buy furniture or move to a new apartment, do not rely on the Xe Ba Gac (three-wheeled motorized carts). While cheap, they offer zero protection for expensive items like TVs or fridges, and they are increasingly banned from central city districts. Lalamove provides transparent pricing and safe enclosed vans.
FAQ
Here is a quick overview of faq:
Does “Fully Furnished” include pots, pans, and cutlery?
Generally, no. In Vietnam, “fully furnished” covers major furniture and appliances (bed, sofa, fridge, washing machine, AC). Kitchenware is rarely included unless you are specifically renting a higher-priced “Serviced Apartment.” You will need to buy your own pots, pans, and utensils.
Can I ask the landlord to buy specific furniture for me?
Yes, but they will likely increase the rent. If you negotiate a 2-year lease, a landlord may be willing to buy a new mattress or a better washing machine to secure the contract.
What is the standard rental deposit in Vietnam?
The legal and market standard deposit is exactly 2 months’ rent. Make sure to sign a “Handover Minute” inventory list when moving in to protect this deposit, especially to document the condition of provided furniture.
Can I paint the walls in an unfurnished apartment?
Generally, landlords do not allow you to change the paint color, even in an unfurnished unit, without written permission. If they do allow it, the contract will stipulate that you must paint it back to the original neutral color (usually white or cream) before moving out, at your own expense.
What happens if I accidentally damage the landlord’s sofa?
If you burn a hole in a sofa or break a chair in a furnished unit, do not wait until move-out to address it. Contact the landlord immediately. Often, they will allow you to replace the item with a similar-quality second-hand piece from Facebook Marketplace. If you hide the damage until the final inspection, the landlord will dictate the replacement cost, which they will deduct directly from your 2-month security deposit.
Related Reading & Listings
Here is a quick overview of related reading & listings: