If you think crossing a Saigon street is dangerous, try crossing paths with a Vietnamese condo listing. At least the scooters honk before clipping your kneecap; fake listings just smile, pocket your deposit, and vanish faster than a bánh xèo on a tourist’s plate. Finding your Vietnam home isn’t just about browsing listings, it’s a battlefield of wits and street smarts. Today, I’ll walk you through my experience and the exact moves I used buying real estate in Vietnam. First as an American and then as a Vietnamese citizen. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to buy real estate in Vietnam that doesn’t always play by the book, this story is for you. I’ll show you step by step how I deciphered the market, dodged fake agents, cracked the 30 percent foreign-buyer quota. And turned a ticking 50-year lease into real, permanent bricks. So, let’s get started!

Why Did You Buy Real Estate in Vietnam?

I’ve called Vietnam home for twelve years, and in that time I watched rents climb like bamboo: straight up and fast. Continuing to lease meant underwriting the landlord’s retirement while the đồng quietly strengthened against the dollar. I had a lawyer visa at that time, as discussed in the previous video on how I moved to Vietnam, go check that out if you want to know more about how I ended up in this vibrant, fast-growing market.

So, with my visa in hand, I didn’t rush. I dissected every district, mapped real price data, and waited for the right entry point. Buying wasn’t driven by sentiment; it was a strategic hedge against currency risk, a cap on living costs, and, ultimately, a public vote of confidence in the very market I advise clients to enter.