Thu Thiem land auction in 2026: Opportunity to change the landscape of HCM Real Estate Market

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After 4 years of unstable auctions, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee officially reopened the auction in 2026 with 7 land plots in Thu Thiem New Urban Area in 2026. This step opens up opportunities to invest in construction and development of potential projects for the area in the near future.


Expected official auction in 2026: Many notable plots of land

Thu Thiem land lot auction plan

The upcoming Thu Thiem land auction is set to become one of the most watched events in Ho Chi Minh City’s real estate market. The auction reflects the city’s push to unlock prime land and set transparent pricing benchmarks for the Thu Thiem Peninsula. Originally set for Q2/2025, the auction was delayed to 2026 to finalize legal procedures and improve feasibility.

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has just assigned relevant departments and branches to urgently develop a plan to auction land use rights for 7 plots of land in the Thu Thiem New Urban Area, expected to be implemented in 2026. Plots of land that have completed technical infrastructure connections, basically completed compensation include the following 7 plots of land:

  • Functional area No. 3: Lot 3-8, Lot 3-9 and Lot 3-12
  • Functional area No. 7: Lot 7-1 and Lot 7-17
  • Functional area No. 1: Lot 1-12
  • Functional area No. 4: Lot 4-21

According to many experts’ predictions, the auction will take place with a total starting price of more than 5,000 billion VND. If successful, the plan will accelerate new residential projects on these land lots to meet current housing demand.

Three Prime Thu Thiem Plots Back in Play After Market Stabilization

Under the plan, land lots auctioned in December 2021, including those in Functional Area 3, will be re-auctioned. These land lots were assessed as having great potential in previous auctions, but their prices were pushed up, causing virtual prices. When winning the auction, the auction companies withdrew their “deposits” one by one.

Plot of landAreaAuction price before (2021)
Lot 3-88.500 sqm4.000.000.000.000 VND
Lot 3-95.009,1 sqm5.026.000.000.000 VND
Lot 3-1210.059,7 sqm24.500.000.000.000 VND

The previous auction four years ago drew national attention with record bids and later withdrawals by several developers. In contrast, the auction applies new regulatory measures, including stricter financial capability checks, deposit requirements, and post-auction payment milestones. These adjustments aim to stabilize the market, protect legitimate investors, and prevent inflated winning bids. These returning land lots are expected to start at safer, reasonable prices, creating a prime opportunity for investors to act quickly.


Why the Auction Matters for the Real Estate Market

Establishing a New Price Benchmark for Core CBD Land

Thu Thiem land has long been positioned as Ho Chi Minh City’s future financial district – one of the few remaining areas with a sufficiently large core land bank to develop Grade A office towers, mixed-use complexes, and high-end residential projects. Therefore, winning prices in this auction will set key luxury-segment benchmarks for the next 3–5 years.

Consultancies like CBRE and Savills estimate starting prices at VND 700–900 million VND/sqm, depending on function and FAR. This aligns with Thu Thiem’s historical growth trajectory, where land prices have increased 8-12% annually over the past decade.

Strengthening Investor Confidence Through Transparency

The new auction mechanism places strong emphasis on transparency and financial accountability, requiring all participating developers to provide:

  • Verified financial capability statements
  • Higher deposit requirements
  • Strict development timeline commitments
  • Strong penalties for delays or violations

This framework ensures only capable developers participate, curbing speculation and restoring investor confidence after the cautious mood of 2022–2023.

Catalyzing Mixed-Use and Grade A Office Development

“This auction will enable developers to build key projects, including Grade A office towers, mixed-use complexes, high-end waterfront residences, and financial facilities.

HCMC’s office market still lacks high-quality supply despite strong absorption demand. CBRE Vietnam reports Class A office vacancy in HCMC fell 4.2 points in Q3 2025, reaching 18.6%. Of which,Class A absorption reached over 46,000 sqm in the first nine months of 2025, surpassing all of 2024. This shows the strong consumption potential of this market in the future.

If quality investors win the auction, new Thu Thiem projects will advance quickly. Modern planning will help them attract international tenants. These large projects offer direct links to the CBD and future IFC HCMC, enhancing access and appeal for local and foreign investors.

More information about IFC HCMC


Outlook for Thu Thiem land period 2025-2030

According to some market experts, the more Thu Thiem land develops, the more its pressure will resemble the central urban areas of Seoul or Pudong (Shanghai) in the early stages – where value lies not only in real estate, but also in the potential to create high-end service industries. Alongside the 2026 auction plan, the city directs agencies to list sites for sports, entertainment, and ecological investment.

By 2030, Ho Chi Minh City aims to complete phase 1 of Thu Thiem in association with the international financial center, university urban area and expansion of the high-tech zone. When key traffic works such as Thu Thiem 4 bridge, Metro Line 2 and riverside road are promoted, the value of the area is expected to increase sharply in the new cycle. Once new price benchmarks are established, the market is anticipated to witness some remarkably influence as:

  • Increased secondary land transactions
  • Price adjustments for high-end residences and office spaces
  • Faster absorption for new projects around Thu Thiem
  • Spillover effects across Thu Duc City and the broader East Saigon area – especially along Metro Line 1 and Thu Duc City – CBD


Overall

The 2025 Thu Thiem land auction represents a transformative milestone for Ho Chi Minh City’s high-value real estate market. It will reshape price benchmarks, reinforce transparency, and strengthen investor sentiment. With foreign capital returning and strong office-residential demand, Thu Thiem stays highly strategic. “Its robust infrastructure growth reinforces its long-term investment appeal.

With a mission to support international investors in Vietnam, La Quinta provides full market insights, forecasts, and legal updates to help investors make informed, effective decisions in this fast-growing market.

More potential real estate in Thu Thiem area – HCMC

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