In a significant development for the real estate market, the National Competition Commission (NCC) has revealed that over 60% of apartment sale contracts submitted for registration contain clauses that are disadvantageous to buyers. This alarming statistic emerged from the appraisal of 211 registration dossiers for apartment sale contract templates, which were submitted since the enactment of the 2023 Law on Protection of Consumer Rights on July 1, 2024, until the end of March 2025.
According to the NCC, a staggering 130 out of the 211 applications, which accounts for approximately 61.6%, were flagged for amendments due to non-compliance with legal regulations. These violations often include the exclusion of warranty obligations for apartments, exemptions from responsibilities related to issuing land use right certificates, and clauses that restrict buyers' rights to terminate contracts in the event of seller breaches.
"The current situation highlights the low level of legal compliance awareness among businesses," the NCC commented. With the market increasingly scrutinized, the NCC has urged potential buyers to thoroughly check the registration status of contracts with consumer protection agencies before signing any agreements.
In a detailed breakdown of the findings, the NCC noted that 45.3% of the dossiers had between 30 to 70 clauses requiring correction, while 28.4% had between 70 to 100 clauses, and 14% exceeded 100 clauses needing amendments. This raises serious concerns about the protections available to consumers in the housing market.
Moreover, many contracts were found to include provisions that undermine buyers' rights, such as inserting restrictive regulations into blank sections of state-issued contract templates. Many of these contracts also failed to adhere to specialized laws, including those governing payment for future-built apartments, maintenance fee contributions, and the delineation of common and private ownership.
As the NCC continues to monitor compliance, it has recommended that consumers remain vigilant and well-informed. Before signing contracts, buyers are encouraged to read through all terms carefully, paying special attention to critical clauses regarding warranties, payment obligations, and dispute resolution rights. If there are any uncertainties, they should seek clarification from sellers or legal counsel.
In addition to the NCC's warnings, the real estate market in Hanoi saw a remarkable surge in low-rise property sales during the first quarter of 2025. According to a report from One Mount Group, around 4,200 new villas and adjacent houses were launched, marking a threefold increase from the previous quarter and a staggering 24 times higher than the same period in 2024. This surge represents the highest level of new openings in two years.
The report indicated that the consumption volume reached 5,100 units, surpassing the number of new openings. The adjacent housing segment dominated the market, accounting for 77% of total sales, attributed to reasonable pricing that meets both living and long-term investment needs.
Market analysts attribute this rapid growth to a clear recovery that began in the third quarter of 2024, particularly driven by large urban projects from Vinhomes, such as Global Gate, Wonder City, and Ocean Park 2 & 3, which collectively accounted for over 90% of the new supply. These projects have been well-received due to their comprehensive planning, diverse utility ecosystems, and strategic locations near major transport routes.
As the year progresses, experts predict that the market may welcome up to 7,500 low-rise units, primarily concentrated in the western areas of Hanoi, which are expected to comprise about 60% of the total supply. This presents a golden opportunity for investors and homebuyers to consider high-value properties with clear legal standing, especially in integrated urban developments poised for appreciation.
In other significant news, on April 24, 2025, Viettel, the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group, broke ground on the Viettel Data Center and High-Tech Research and Development Center in Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park, Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City. This ambitious project spans nearly 4 hectares and boasts a designed capacity of up to 140 MW, marking the first instance of Vietnam hosting a data center of such magnitude, comparable to leading global facilities.
The center will operate under the international Uptime Tier III standard, featuring approximately 10,000 racks with an average power density of up to 10 kW per rack—2.5 times the typical levels found in Vietnam. The facility is expected to enhance digital transformation efforts and foster a robust digital economy.
Meanwhile, Novaland has made headlines by halting the transfer of a nearly 3,000 m² land plot owned by its chairman, Bui Thanh Nhon. The company has resolved to liquidate a compensation contract signed in 2007, which mandates a minimum refund of 426 billion VND. Following a recent share transaction, Nhon's ownership in Novaland has slightly decreased, while his son, Bui Cao Nhat Quan, has opted not to sell shares due to unfavorable market conditions.
On a different note, the Binh Dinh Provincial People's Committee, in collaboration with Binh Dinh Maritime Joint Stock Company, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a social housing project in Quy Nhon City on April 24, 2025. With a total investment nearing 800 billion VND, this project aims to provide modern living environments for low-income individuals and workers.
The project will feature 530 apartments across 24 floors, contributing to the government's ambitious plan of developing one million social housing units by 2030. Binh Dinh has already completed seven social housing projects, totaling nearly 4,500 apartments, with plans for six additional projects and over 3,000 units by 2026.
As the real estate landscape evolves, these developments highlight both the challenges and opportunities in the market, urging consumers to remain informed and proactive in protecting their rights.
