Vietnam Economic Times October 26 2026

Dear readers,

Since ancient times, Vietnamese people have passed down a proverb of Sino-Vietnamese origin: “An cu lac nghiep,” which means that only those who have stable housing can have peace of mind at work.

In Vietnam today, not only do Vietnamese people desire stable housing but also foreigners living and working in the country, with the exception perhaps of those entitled to diplomatic and consular privileges that include accommodation.

In fact, foreign organizations and individuals in Vietnam, provided that they meet the qualifications and conditions stipulated in the Law on Housing 2023 and Decree No. 95/2024/ND-CP from the government, now have the right to own housing in Vietnam.

Thus, legally speaking, foreign organizations and individuals living and working legally in the country are being facilitated to secure housing of their own.

Moreover, the Communist Party of Vietnam and the State, from the central to the local level, have issued a host of policies and mechanisms, including housing policies, to encourage foreign organizations and individuals to invest in, do business in, and work long-term in Vietnam.

Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW from the third plenum of the 14th Party Central Committee, issued on July 28, 2026, on the viewpoint and orientation for amending the Land Law and related laws, identifies the policy of “encouraging the development of rental housing at reasonable prices.” This is a breakthrough policy, contributing to removing bottlenecks in the real estate market, shifting the mindset of people from a desire for housing ownership to that for renting a house, thus gradually balancing the supply and demand of housing and creating conditions for everyone, including foreigners living and working legally in Vietnam, to have stable housing without necessarily owning a house.

During its recent second session, the 16th National Assembly discussed the draft amendments to the Land Law, the Law on Housing, and the Law on Real Estate Business, including contents related to the housing ownership rights of foreign organizations and individuals in Vietnam, aiming to facilitate stable housing during their legal residence and work in Vietnam.

This appropriate policy will encourage foreign organizations and individuals, especially investors, experts, scientists, engineers, specialists, and technicians, to feel secure in living and working in Vietnam.

With a trend toward new generation development aimed at optimizing space and resolving the country’s housing and employment issues, many localities in Vietnam are focusing on developing industrial parks under the model of an “Industrial - Urban - Service Complex.” This is being encouraged in order to create more conditions for workers, including foreigners, to quickly secure stable housing according to their personal needs and financial capabilities.

To keep readers updated on housing policies for foreigners in Vietnam, our Cover Story in this edition focuses on analyzing housing issues as a factor attracting foreign investors, experts, scientists, specialists, and technicians to invest in, do business in, and work in Vietnam, while also looking at housing development in connection with infrastructure and urban restructuring, reviewing policies to enhance the development of the rental housing segment, and examining changes in legal regulations regarding foreign ownership of houses in the amended Law on Housing submitted to the National Assembly on October 22, as well as trends in developing new-generation industrial parks under the “Industrial - Urban - Service” complex model, along with many other issues related to the demand for housing among foreigners in Vietnam.

Warmest regards

Dr. CHU VAN LAM
CHAIRMAN OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD