How Does the ‘Ex-Urban’ Living Trend Affect Real Estate Buyers?

21 August, 2025

According to the latest statistics from Batdongsan.com.vn, apartments in Binh Duong province are currently priced between VND 1 billion and less than VND 2 billion for affordable options. More modern apartments can range above VND 3 billion, depending on the area and amenities. This price range is the main reason why buyers consider living in neighboring areas, taking advantage of both potential price increases and positive rental yields.

Infrastructure plays an equally important role in connecting Ho Chi Minh City to areas like old Binh Duong and Thu Duc, making transportation faster and more convenient.

According to Batdongsan.com.vn, July 2025 witnessed a 13% increase in interest in Ho Chi Minh City, indicating a strong rebound for the market after the merger. The expansion and merger of Ho Chi Minh City with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces provide a solution to land scarcity, paving the way for the development of affordable housing and attracting investment to areas with more accessible prices. In July, many investors focused on implementing sales strategies and finalizing transactions before the Hungry Ghost Festival month. Additionally, several infrastructure projects were inaugurated or commenced construction in celebration of the 80th National Day, positively impacting the market.

As a result, this area has quickly become a hotspot with dozens of ongoing and upcoming projects. Notable examples include La Pura, developed by Phat Dat. After the success of the AVIS tower, TT AVIO introduced the new ORION tower with the return of the exclusive payment negotiation privilege. There’s also Astral City, The Emerald Golf View, and A&T Apartment, priced at approximately VND 1.67 billion for a 47-square-meter unit, offering easy rental opportunities due to its proximity to National Highway 13.

For those seeking a more upscale option, there’s The Habitat Binh Duong Phase 3, launched at the beginning of the year, targeting the high-end rental market for expatriates, with rental yields of up to 6-7.5% per year. Sycamore Binh Duong offers a range of villas, townhouses, and apartments. Midori Park The Nest, the first project by Becamex Tokyu, caters to young professionals and is located within a model urban area.

Not to mention, numerous social housing projects with thousands of apartments for low-income earners are being developed in Binh Duong, such as Hoa Phu, Dinh Hoa, and Tan Dong Hiep, to meet the real demand and balance the market.

Source: CBRE

Why the “Decentralization” Trend?

According to Mr. Dinh Minh Tuan, Regional Director of Southern Vietnam at Batdongsan.com.vn, in July 2025, the real estate market in Ho Chi Minh City showed clear signs of recovery, thanks to the synergy of macro and micro factors. The level of interest in apartment, land, and townhouse projects increased by 10-15%, reflecting the return of capital flows and positive investor sentiment.

Mr. Tuan assessed that infrastructure and policy drivers are laying the foundation for a sustainable growth cycle. Ho Chi Minh City’s push for public investment disbursement and the implementation of key projects, along with positive FDI, have bolstered the confidence of both domestic and foreign investors.

The new Ho Chi Minh City is a result of reasonable population decentralization and new administrative planning, along with the formation of economic and service satellite centers. These fundamental factors make this area attractive for medium and long-term investment.

Apartment prices in the old Binh Duong area range from VND 30-50 million per square meter, making homeownership more accessible without incurring significant debt.

CBRE experts evaluated that the market is becoming more competitive, raising buyers’ expectations. Consequently, in addition to discounts, flexible and extended payment schedules have become crucial in attracting buyers. A seasoned real estate broker shared that buyers are now less focused on promotional programs and more on flexible payment options, smaller installments, and interest rate support.

For instance, at the TT AVIO project, apart from competitive pricing, the “Payment Negotiation – One on One” mechanism has been reactivated. This policy offers both flexibility and financial privilege to individual buyers. Instead of a rigid payment schedule, the Japanese joint venture provides an opportunity for customers to negotiate one-on-one, tailoring the payment plan to their income and cash flow. This approach enhances the chance of homeownership to 100%.

Currently, TT AVIO is offering two prominent policies. The first is a path that requires only a monthly contribution of approximately VND 9 million without a bank loan: buyers pay 20% within 6 months, an additional 10% upon signing the sales contract, and then VND 9 million per month until receiving the apartment, with the amount deducted directly from the apartment’s value. Buyers can also negotiate to pay more than VND 9 million per month and receive a corresponding discount of 9% per year.

The second policy is for buyers who opt for a bank loan: they pay 20% upfront and then pause payments for 30 months, allowing maximum flexibility in managing their finances during the debt period, and even offering the option to rent out the apartment immediately upon receipt to enhance financial flexibility and offset loan payments.

Projects located near major transportation arteries like Belt Road 2, Belt Road 3, My Phuoc – Tan Van Expressway, and Metro Line 1, exert a strong pull on both residential and investment demands, not only from Ho Chi Minh City residents but also from the old Binh Duong area. Additionally, buyers are becoming more discerning about product characteristics, leading to increased investment in modern amenities equivalent to those in the city center. This shift aims to create a self-contained, convenient living model, transforming apartments into a complete home for multiple generations of families.

TT AVIO’s “Top Cinema” offers an engaging experience for residents, fostering multi-generational bonding.

The trend of “decentralized” living is becoming a strategic choice for those seeking a balance between connectivity, quality of life, and financial considerations. However, some experts express caution, noting that not all satellite cities are ready to become sustainable residential areas without well-developed infrastructure, amenities, and a sense of community.

Thu Minh

– 07:07 20/08/2025