Serviced Apartments in Ho Chi Minh City: What You Get & How They Work
Serviced apartments in HCMC offer furniture, utilities, and weekly cleaning in one monthly rent. Compare them to regular apartments and see if they fit your budget and lifestyle.
We get this question a lot. Someone finds a listing in An Khanh, sees "serviced apartment," and wonders what that actually means compared to the high-rise apartment next door. So here is the breakdown.
What is a serviced apartment?
It is a fully furnished rental unit where the owner — not a building management company — handles the extras: cleaning, maintenance, internet in some cases, and sometimes laundry. Most serviced apartments in Thao Dien are privately owned units inside smaller buildings or low-rise complexes. You get furniture, kitchen appliances, AC, and weekly housekeeping bundled into one monthly payment.
What is typically included
Every owner does it slightly differently, but in the Thao Dien area most serviced apartments include:
Furniture and appliances — bed, sofa, kitchen with fridge and stove, AC, TV, washer or laundry service
Housekeeping — usually 2–3 times a week, with fresh linens and towels
Internet — often included, though not always
Utilities — Water is typically billed per person; electricity is sometimes billed separately
Maintenance — something breaks, you call the owner or their agent, they fix it
Serviced apartment vs. apartment — what is the real difference?
On our site, "apartment" means a unit in a high-rise condo building — places like Masteri Thao Dien, The Vista, or Park Hill. Here is how the two compare:
Rent — Serviced apartments are typically cheaper. You are paying for the unit and the services, not for the brand of the building or the resort-style pool downstairs.
What you get — Serviced apartments come furnished with cleaning included. Apartments are usually unfurnished — you bring your own furniture, set up your own internet, and hire your own cleaner.
Building amenities — High-rise apartments have the edge here: pools, gyms, saunas, rooftop lounges, 24/7 building security and management. Serviced apartments may have a smaller pool or gym, or none at all.
Lease flexibility — Serviced apartments often accept 3–6 month contracts depending on the owner policy. Apartments typically require 12–24 months.
Deposit — Serviced apartments usually need 1–2 months. Apartments often require 2–3 months.
When a serviced apartment makes sense
We usually recommend them to people who:
Just arrived in HCMC and want a place they can walk into with a suitcase
Are here for 3–6 months and do not want to buy furniture they will have to sell
Want cleaning and internet handled without setting anything up
Prefer a lower deposit and shorter commitment
And we steer people toward a high-rise apartment when they are staying long-term, want premium building amenities, and do not mind furnishing the place themselves.
Where to find them
Most of our serviced apartment listings are in Thao Dien — the heart of An Khanh Ward — along Nguyen Van Huong, Thao Dien, and the lanes off Vo Nguyen Giap. Popular serviced apartment buildings in the area include ROME Apartment, 02 Nguyen Ba Huan, and Kayden House. You will also find options in Binh Trung and Da Kao (Ward 1) for something closer to the city center.
What to check before you sign
What is included — Confirm internet, electricity, and cleaning. These vary by owner and can shift your effective monthly cost.
Lease term — Ask if 3 or 6 months is accepted. Some owners prefer longer but will flex.
Deposit — Typically 1–2 months. Check the notice period for getting it back.
Pet policy — Many serviced apartments do not allow pets. Confirm before viewing if you have one.
The bottom line
Serviced apartments give you a furnished, low-commitment home with cleaning and basics handled — usually at a lower rent than a high-rise apartment. See our utility costs breakdown for what you will pay on top of rent. The trade-off is fewer building amenities and less space for your money. If you are new to HCMC or here for a shorter stint, they are a smart starting point. If you are settling in for the long haul and want the pool-and-gym lifestyle, an apartment in a condo building might be the better fit.
For specific buildings, prices, and neighborhoods, see our Thao Dien serviced apartment area guide.
Not sure which one fits you? Tell us your budget and what matters to you — we will send curated matches for both within 24 hours.
