Following the merger, Ho Chi Minh City’s real estate market has experienced strong growth, reflecting a positive response to expectations for new urban planning. The apartment segment is currently leading market interest, driven by both end-user demand and investment in rental yields.

Real Estate in Ho Chi Minh City Grows Post-Merger

Mr. Dinh Minh Tuan, Southern Regional Director of Batdongsan.com.vn, noted that interest in the newly defined Ho Chi Minh City area (including Binh Duong and Ba Ria – Vung Tau) increased by 6% compared to the previous quarter, reflecting optimistic expectations towards the new multi-polar urban planning model. Each locality is establishing its distinct role: Ho Chi Minh City as the center for finance and premium services; Binh Duong as a hub for industry and high technology; and Ba Ria – Vung Tau as a focal point for logistics and international seaports. This multi-polar development model not only stimulates individual local growth but also opens up the potential for forming Vietnam’s largest metropolitan area.

In addition to Ho Chi Minh City, other provinces are also redefining their roles post-merger. Bac Ninh is emerging as a center for industry and high technology; Hai Phong is leading in trade and logistics; Dong Nai retains its strengths in industrial and high-tech agriculture. In Central Vietnam, Da Nang – Quang Nam are aiming for an integrated logistics – industrial – tourism model, while Khanh Hoa is expected to become a hub for maritime economy, energy, and international tourism.

New growth drivers such as inter-regional infrastructure, synchronized planning, and boosted public investment are helping the real estate market gradually transition from a “defensive” phase to a more sustainable recovery cycle in the second half of the year.

Apartments Lead Interest Thanks to End-User and Investment Demand

According to Mr. Dinh Minh Tuan, among all property types, apartments recorded the highest increase in interest in Q2/2025, with a growth of 8%. In contrast, the land plot segment saw a sharp 19% decline in interest, showing a clear cooling-off after the hot surge earlier this year. Other types such as townhouses, villas, and private homes also witnessed slight decreases ranging from 2% to 15%, reflecting a market shift back to end-user-focused and easier-to-monetize property types amid macroeconomic fluctuations.

Survey data from 502 real estate agents support this view. As many as 64% of agents stated that owner-occupier buyers made up over 40% of transactions, indicating strong growth driven by genuine demand. Meanwhile, 57% of agents said that buyers for rental purposes accounted for over 40%, showing that investment behavior is shifting from “flipping” to long-term income-generating strategies.

Notably, 46% of agents assessed that short-term speculators accounted for less than 20%, indicating a significant decline in short-term investment sentiment. This is a positive signal, suggesting a healthier and more sustainable market development.

In Q2/2025, the apartment segment continued to affirm its leading position, accounting for 29% of total market interest, surpassing land plots (28%) and private homes (22%). This shift indicates a clear change in buyer behavior, moving away from speculation towards end-use and stable rental income investments.

Data from Batdongsan.com.vn shows that the apartment market has significantly recovered since June 2025. Compared to April 2025, interest in apartments in the newly merged Ho Chi Minh City increased by 11%, and in the old Ho Chi Minh City by 9%. At the same time, apartment listings in both the new and old areas rose by 12%, indicating a supply rebound aligned with rising demand.

The Southern Regional Director of Batdongsan.com.vn emphasized that the increasing interest in the new Ho Chi Minh City is a result of effective population decentralization, new administrative planning, and the formation of satellite economic-service centers. These are foundational factors that will attract strong mid- and long-term investment flows into the region.