Should short-term accommodation in apartments be allowed to operate again?

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction was assigned by the City People's Committee to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association and related units to monitor, manage and handle arising issues related to the short-term accommodation model in apartment buildings.

According to the Department of Construction, the 2023 Housing Law strictly prohibits the arbitrary conversion of apartment functions, the use of apartments for purposes other than residential purposes, the change of load-bearing structures, or the division of apartments without permission from competent authorities. Circular 05/2024/TT-BXD of the Ministry of Construction also stipulates that apartment buildings must be used for the correct function and according to the approved design.

Many apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City have issued a ban on short-term apartment rentals.

However, the reality in Ho Chi Minh City shows that the demand for short-term accommodation in apartment buildings is still happening. Therefore, the City People's Committee has assigned the Department of Construction to coordinate with relevant units to assess the situation and propose a suitable management mechanism, both ensuring security for residents and promoting economic development and tourism in the city.

On that basis, the Department of Construction requested relevant units such as the Department of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association to contribute opinions on this model.

Previously, on February 27, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued Decision 26/2025 on the management and use of apartment buildings. This regulation clearly states: the apartment must be rented for the right purpose of living, not for other purposes such as renting by the day or hour.

Ms. Giang Huynh, Director of Research and S2MM Savills Ho Chi Minh City, said that the ban on short-term rentals in apartments has boosted demand for mid-range hotels and serviced apartments. According to Savills Vietnam, in the first quarter of 2025, the supply of serviced apartments decreased by 6% compared to the same period last year, to 7,995 units. However, the average rental price increased by 4% year-on-year, reaching about VND529,000/m²/month, especially the Class C segment increased sharply by 3%.

Regarding the possibility of allowing short-term accommodation models to operate again in apartment buildings, Ms. Giang Huynh said that this should not be done. Because this model causes difficulties for management, poses potential security risks and negatively affects the operations of formal accommodation establishments such as hotels and serviced apartments. In addition, AirBnB activities also cause tax losses due to difficulty in controlling revenue.

However, according to Mr. Ta Trung Kien, Director of News Property Real Estate Company, if Ho Chi Minh City is allowed to apply a special mechanism, the short-term accommodation model in apartments can still be implemented under control.

Specifically, business owners need to register as individual business households, declare to the apartment management board, and pay higher management fees to compensate for service costs for residents. Apartments participating in this model must also ensure full fire safety conditions.

Mr. Kien emphasized that with a clear management process, this model can exist in parallel and contribute positively to tourism development.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/co-nen-cho-phep-mo-hinh-luu-tru-ngan-ngay-o-chung-cu-hoat-dong-tro-lai-196250417105835606.htm