Where to Buy Furniture in HCMC: The Expat's Guide to...

When browsing apartments for rent in Ho Chi Minh City, you will notice that properties usually come in three states: fully furnished, basic furnished, or completely bare.

If you secure an unfurnished unit, you can save significantly on monthly rent, but you inherit the challenge of furnishing it yourself. Without the comfort of global chains you might be used to back home, where do you start?

1. The “Is There an IKEA in Vietnam?” Question

Here is a quick overview of the “is there an ikea in vietnam?” question:

Answer-first: While there is no official IKEA retail store in Vietnam in 2026, expats in Ho Chi Minh City can buy modern furniture at JYSK or Baya. For budget options, Facebook Expat groups offer vibrant second-hand markets, while Thao Dien is famous for custom-made solid wood furniture shops.

It is a common misconception that an IKEA exists in Ho Chi Minh City. While IKEA maintains a massive manufacturing and supply chain presence in Vietnam, they do not have consumer retail stores open to the public.

If you see a small shop selling IKEA goods, they are grey-market importers reselling items at a steep markup.

2. Retail Chains for Modern Furniture

Here is a quick overview of retail chains for modern furniture:

Answer-first: For modern, flat-pack, and mid-tier furniture, your best options are JYSK (Scandinavian style) and Baya (formerly UMA). Note that the popular Index Living Mall officially exited the Vietnamese market in March 2026.

If you want to walk into a showroom and buy an entire living room set today, you have a few primary options:

• JYSK: The closest equivalent to IKEA available in Vietnam. They offer affordable Scandinavian designs, from mattresses to dining tables.
• Baya: Previously known as UMA, Baya offers a mix of modern and traditional Vietnamese styles. A standard 3-seater sofa here ranges from 5,000,000 to 15,000,000 VND. Note: Their physical footprint has shrunk, so browsing via their Shopee Mall storefront is often easiest.
• Hao Tien / Nha Xinh: These are premium local brands offering higher-end, luxury designs at a steeper price point.

3. Custom-Made Wood Furniture (The District 2 Advantage)

Here is a quick overview of custom-made wood furniture (the district 2 advantage):

Answer-first: District 2 (specifically Thao Dien and An Khanh) is the hub for custom carpentry. Shops along Xuan Thuy street can build bespoke, solid wood furniture based on Pinterest photos for the price you would pay for particle-board furniture in the West.

One of the greatest luxuries of living in Vietnam is access to affordable, highly skilled carpenters.

If you live near Thao Dien, take a walk down Xuan Thuy Street. You will find reputable expat-friendly custom shops like:

• Decosy
• The Furniture Warehouse
• Linh’s Furniture

How it works: You show them a photo of a dining table or bed frame, specify your dimensions, and select your wood type (e.g., Oak or local red wood). They will manufacture it in their workshop and deliver it within 2-3 weeks.

The Local “Furniture Streets” (Phố Nội Thất)

If you want to bypass the “expat tax” of Thao Dien, you must visit the traditional Vietnamese furniture streets. These are entire blocks dedicated exclusively to furniture showrooms.

• Ngo Gia Tu Street (District 10): The epicenter of furniture in HCMC. You will find dozens of massive, multi-story showrooms. The styles lean heavily toward ornate, traditional Vietnamese woodcarving, but many modern, minimalist options are available if you hunt for them.
• Bach Dang Street (Binh Thanh District): Known specifically for office furniture and budget-friendly apartment setups. This is where you go to buy a computer desk or a basic wardrobe.

The Humidity Trap: Particle Board vs. Solid Wood

A critical mistake new expats make is buying cheap particle board or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) furniture. In HCMC’s relentless 80%+ humidity, unsealed particle board will warp, swell, and rapidly grow white mold. Always opt for solid wood (like rubberwood, which is extremely cheap in Vietnam), plywood with waterproof veneer, or metal/glass combinations.

4. Second-Hand Furniture & Facebook Expat Groups

Here is a quick overview of second-hand furniture & facebook expat groups:

Answer-first: The most vibrant market for used furniture in HCMC is on Facebook. Expats constantly buy and sell goods in groups like “Expats in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)” when relocating.

Because the expat population in Saigon is highly transient, high-quality, lightly used furniture is always entering the market.

Pro-Tip to avoid the “Expat Tax”: When searching Facebook Marketplace or local classified sites like Chợ Tốt, use the Vietnamese keyword “thanh lý” (liquidation/clearance). Searching “thanh lý sofa” will yield significantly cheaper, local results than searching “used sofa for sale.”

Logistics: How to Move Furniture in HCMC

Unlike in the West where you might rent a U-Haul, in Vietnam, you hire a driver.

1. Lalamove / Ahamove: Download these apps and select the “Truck” (Xe Tải) option. You can book a small truck to arrive within 20 minutes for under $10 USD across the city.
2. Xe Ba Gác (Three-Wheeled Trucks): For short distances, you will see men driving motorized tricycles. They park at major intersections. You can negotiate directly with them to haul a mattress or sofa down the street.
3. The Elevator Limit: If you live in an older apartment building, measure your elevator before buying a 3-seater sofa. If it doesn’t fit, moving companies will charge an exorbitant fee to haul it up the stairs, or worse, hoist it over the balcony using ropes.

FAQ

Here is a quick overview of faq:

Can you rent furniture in Vietnam?

Yes, some niche companies offer furniture rental packages for expats, but it is rare and often uneconomical compared to buying second-hand and reselling when you leave.

Where should I buy appliances like TVs and washing machines?

Do not buy these from boutique furniture stores. Go to major electronics retailers like Dien May Xanh or Nguyen Kim. They offer free delivery, installation, and strict manufacturer warranties.

Is it cheaper to rent an unfurnished apartment in HCMC?

Yes. An unfurnished apartment can be $100 to $300 cheaper per month than a fully furnished equivalent. If you plan to stay for 2+ years, buying your own furniture will save you thousands of dollars over the lease term.

Why are the beds in Vietnam so hard?

Vietnamese culture traditionally favors extremely firm mattresses, often made of compressed cotton or hard rubber, as it is believed to be better for the spine and cooler in the heat. If you want a Western-style soft memory foam or pocket-spring mattress, you must specify this. Look for brands like Lien A or Kymdan (premium natural latex), or visit dedicated mattress showrooms like Vua Nem.

Where can I buy custom curtains?

Do not buy off-the-rack curtains. Head to Tan Dinh Market (Chợ Tân Định) in District 1. Surrounding the market are dozens of fabric stores that will custom-measure, sew, and install blackout curtains for a fraction of the price of a boutique store.

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