The Vietnamese real estate market is entering 2025 with notable shifts as homeowners begin to recalibrate their selling strategies, responding to cooling demand and fluctuated pricing. This adjustment has sparked increased opportunities for buyers, particularly those searching for apartments in urban areas like Hanoi.
A year prior, many sellers were confidently raising prices, often creating unrealistic expectations for buyers and leading to frustration among prospective homeowners. Nguyen Van Nam, for example, shared his experience from October 2024, when he and his wife hoped to purchase a 60-square-meter apartment for 3.2 billion VND. When they returned to finalize the sale, the seller had raised the price to 3.4 billion VND, and later it was offered again at 3.5 billion VND. Nam decided to walk away, recognizing the increasing trend of sellers reluctant to adhere to initial offers, which he and many others found disheartening.
He remarked, "Việc tìm mua các căn hộ chung cư rất khó khăn không chỉ vì giá bán cao mà còn do nhiều chủ nhà thấy xu hướng thị trường 'nóng'," explaining how manipulation of prices has made home buying challenging. Recently, during his continued search for a new apartment, he encountered the same unit listed again at 3.3 billion VND, showcasing the new trend where sellers are lowering their prices by 100-300 million VND to attract buyers.
Hoang Nguyet Minh echoed these sentiments as she recalled the rollercoaster of pricing over the previous months. Initially, she was interested in a 70-square-meter apartment listed at 4.4 billion VND, which escalated almost immediately to nearly 5 billion VND. Now, she sees the seller has reduced it by 200 million VND, attributing it to the owner's need for cash flow. She stated, "Chủ nhà mang tiếng hạ giá nhưng thực ra là họ chỉ đang cắt lãi,..." demonstrating the skepticism many feel about price fluctuations.
This atmosphere of unpredictable pricing might have played a role in enabling increased buyer negotiations, with many adjusting their expectations to align more closely with newfound market realities. Real estate agent Le Duc Toan expressed optimism over these developments, noting, "Nhiều chủ nhà khi thấy thị trường chững lại đã phải cân nhắc lại bài toán đầu tư," which suggests sellers are coming to terms with the need to adjust pricing creatively amid changing economic conditions.
Simultaneously, the greater economic backdrop features substantial remittance flows. According to the Ngân hàng Nhà nước Việt Nam, total remittances to the country reached around 16 billion USD, providing solid support for both the overall economy and the real estate market. The city of Ho Chi Minh continues to dominate this trend with remittances of around 9.6 billion USD, ensuring investment opportunities remain visible even if the market dynamics shift.
Experts believe upcoming years may not witness the same drastic price surges as seen previously. The market for apartments, particularly, is expected to stabilize, allowing investors to explore properties at competitive prices without the relentless increases witnessed throughout 2024.
Overall, the Vietnamese real estate market is signaling its adoption of more sustainable pricing strategies, presenting new opportunities for homebuyers and investors alike. The combination of lowered prices, respectable remittance levels, and continued buyer interest suggests 2025 could herald the dawn of stability compared to the tumultuous previous year.