How remittances influence overseas Vietnamese housing choices in Vietnam

Toward the end of 2025, Vietnam continues to affirm its position as a safe haven for remittance inflows, supported by stable economic growth, an increasingly transparent legal framework, and a sustainably recovering real estate market. These factors collectively foster strong confidence, encouraging overseas Vietnamese communities to channel their capital back to their homeland with greater conviction.

Overseas remittances seek stability in Vietnam

Amid continued volatility in the global economy, remittance inflows to Vietnam have maintained an impressive growth momentum. According to the State Bank of Vietnam (Region 2), remittances to Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 are projected to reach approximately $10.5 billion (equivalent to VND276 trillion), representing a 10.5% increase compared to 2024. Remittances to Ho Chi Minh City account for roughly 60% of the national total and are often described as a "golden resource" for economic development.

These figures underscore the significance of this so-called "golden resource." The steady rise in remittances also reflects overseas Vietnamese communities' confidence and expectations regarding the sustainable growth of Ho Chi Minh City in particular and of Vietnam as a whole.

An estimated 25% of remittance inflows are channeled into real estate, highlighting the increasingly evident demand among overseas Vietnamese for home ownership and long-term asset accumulation. Beyond market dynamics, recent legal reforms have further expanded opportunities for both settlement and investment by overseas Vietnamese.

The 2024 Land Law allows Vietnamese citizens residing abroad to access and use land on terms equivalent to those of domestic citizens, while the 2023 Law on Real Estate Business facilitates more transparent, secure, and convenient participation by overseas Vietnamese in real estate transactions, investment, and business activities.

New legal framework creates confidence for overseas Vietnamese in living and investing in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Thang Loi Group

For many overseas Vietnamese, allocating remittances to real estate is not solely an investment decision. It is also linked to long-term plans to return to Vietnam after extended periods living and working abroad. This intention has become an important factor shaping housing demand within this group.

Key factors shaping housing choices

According to CBRE Vietnam, up to 90% of foreign buyers prefer condominium apartments. Among overseas Vietnamese, housing choices tend to prioritize convenient locations, coherent master planning, clear legal status, long-term value, and overall living quality. However, many inner-city developments, including high-end projects, face challenges related to rising prices, limited space, and high population density.

As a result, demand has increasingly shifted toward satellite urban areas that offer improved connectivity, more spacious living environments, coordinated planning, and comparatively accessible pricing. In the former Long An area, The Win City has emerged as a notable project, recording around 1,400 transactions, including purchases by overseas Vietnamese buyers.

Artist impression of The Win City in West Ho Chi Minh City. Photo courtesy of Thang Loi Group

For overseas Vietnamese buyers, location is often evaluated not only in terms of transport convenience but also in relation to overall quality of life and alignment with long-term infrastructure development. The Win City is positioned at the gateway to western Ho Chi Minh City, with connections to Ring Roads 3 and 4 and the Ho Chi Minh City–Trung Luong Expressway, allowing access to neighboring provinces, Long Thanh International Airport, and Vung Tau.

Travel time to central Ho Chi Minh City is estimated at around 25 minutes via the extended Vo Van Kiet Boulevard, while Tan Son Nhat International Airport is accessible through the expanded Nguyen Thi Tu corridor.

Internationally, the "One Stop Living Hub" model, seen in developments such as Marina Bay in Singapore, Songdo in South Korea, and Shibuya in Japan, has influenced expectations among overseas Vietnamese buyers. The Win City adopts a similar approach, with a construction density of about 29.82% and a focus on green space, public areas, and community facilities.

The project includes more than 100 amenities across six functional pillars - Live, Work, Play, Learn, Care, and Move - such as a commercial center, schools, healthcare facilities, sports areas, swimming pools, and landscaped parks.

The One Stop Living Hub model delivers a premium living experience for residents of The Win City. Photo courtesy of Thang Loi Group

In addition to livability, overseas Vietnamese buyers place importance on long-term asset performance. The Win City is located near southern Vietnam's industrial corridor, which includes 39 industrial parks with high occupancy and a large workforce of experts and skilled laborers. This environment supports demand for both owner-occupied housing and rental properties.

Apartments at The Win City are priced from around VND30.5 million per square meter, with total investment values starting at approximately VND2 billion. The developer states that the project has completed required legal procedures for the sale of off-plan housing, which may provide reassurance for overseas Vietnamese seeking secure, long-term housing and investment options in Vietnam.