Legal Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh City – Opportunity to Double Rental Cash Flow?

Since the beginning of 2026, Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh City has officially been legalized. This change opens a practical question for many investors: is this the right time to switch your rental strategy? This article breaks down the numbers — so you can decide which model works best for your portfolio.

1. Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh City – How do the new 2026 regulations change things for investors?

For over a year, short-term apartment rentals in Ho Chi Minh City existed in a legal gray zone. This caused difficulties for both landlords and tenants. However, on April 25, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision 19. This policy officially brings the Airbnb model into a clear legal framework.

What hosts need to know:

• Short-term rentals by day or week are fully legalized. Contracts do not need notarization and can be signed electronically.
• Registration as a tourist accommodation establishment with the Department of Tourism is mandatory.
• Temporary residence registration for guests must go through VNeID or the National Public Service Portal.
• Hosts must fully comply with tax obligations, including: registration, declaration, and payment.

Meaning for investors:

Mr. Nguyen Duy Thanh, General Director of Global Home, stated that Decision 19 expands the scope to mixed-use buildings. This means most current luxury apartment projects are eligible to operate legally.Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association assesses that this step creates a transparent and professional investment environment. Instead of banning the service, the city paves the way for short-term rentals to help develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector.

2. Does Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh City really double the profit of traditional rentals?

Yes. However, this does not apply to every apartment type and every investor. Realistic comparison based on the luxury apartment segment in HCMC:

Mr. Dinh Minh Tuan, Southern Regional Director of Batdongsan, confirmed this trend. He stated that thanks to flexibility and the ability to adjust prices according to the market, Airbnb can bring 30–50% higher profits than long-term rentals. However, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Anh from Asia Life Consulting Company noted a challenge. Specifically, investors must be ready to pay for all services that tenants use in the building, which can reduce net cash flow if not managed well.

3. Which apartment types are suitable for luxury Airbnb in Ho Chi Minh City?

Not every apartment is suitable for the luxury Airbnb model. Short-term tenants in this segment are usually international entrepreneurs, foreign experts, or luxury tourists who have clear expectations of quality.

4 Deciding Criteria for a Successful Luxury Airbnb in HCMC

4.1. Location: Luxury guests always prioritize convenient travel:

• Thao Dien: The center of the expat community, Metro Line 1, to the city center in just 10 minutes.
• Thu Thiem: 7–10 minutes to CBD, receiving massive infrastructure investments.
• Binh Thanh (adjacent to District 1): Saigon River, Landmark 81 views, highly convenient transport connections.
• District 1: The city center, offering direct access to both business districts and entertainment venues.

4.2. View and Design: Apartments with a river view, a Landmark 81 view, or city view can command 20–40% higher Airbnb pricing.

4.3. Service Standards: Luxury Airbnb guests expect an experience equivalent to a 5-star hotel. They look for professional cleaning, fully furnished spaces, modern electronic devices, and 24/7 support. Projects like Vinhomes Central Park, Masteri, The Marq, or The Metropole already have international-standard building management systems provide an effective foundation for Airbnb operations.

4.4 Legal Compliance and Operational: Since Decision 19/2026 took effect, running an Airbnb in HCMC requires accommodation registration, temporary residence declaration, and tax compliance. Investors should prioritize working with professional management units. These agencies can handle the entire process from legal paperwork to maintenance and guest care, instead of owners managing it themselves.

Conclusion:

Airbnb is suitable for you if:

• You own a luxury apartment in central locations: Thao Dien, Thu Thiem, or District 1.
• You are ready to invest in a professional operating system.
• You target a rental yield of 5–7% per year, despite lower stability.

However, regardless of which direction you choose, the deciding factors remain asset quality and your operating partner. A luxury apartment with transparent legal status, a prime location, and professional management will always generate sustainable value.

Looking for a trustworthy real estate agent? La Quinta is your one-stop partner. We offer turnkey support for buying/selling, renting, interior design & furnishing, and full property management. Contact us today.

Mr. DONNIE KIM (Korean & English)
Associate Director

Phone number: 0898 48 38 68
Email: kdh@lqltd.com
Zalo: 0898 48 38 68 (La Quinta)
Kakaotalk ID : kdhrpm
WeChat: LQ-kdh
Whatsapp: +84 89 848 38 68

Ms. TRẦN HOÀNG OANH (Vietnamese & English)
Director of Residential and Investment Team

Phone number: (+84) 937 836 896
Email: christine@lqltd.com
Zalo: 09 3783 6896 (Oanh – Christine)
Whatsapp: +84 937 83 896
Wechat: Oanhhoangtran