The Official 2026 Guide: How Much Are Apartment Bills Per Month in Ho Chi Minh City?
Updated for 2026 – The Modern Era | Saigon Cribs Relocation Guide
Moving to Vietnam? One of the first questions every expat asks is, “How much are apartment bills per month in Ho Chi Minh City?”
In 2026, the answer depends heavily on your lifestyle (specifically your Air Conditioning usage) and the type of building you choose. Gone are the days of paper bills in mailboxes; Ho Chi Minh City is now digital-first.
This updated guide breaks down every cost you can expect renting apartments in ho chi minh city—from electricity to management fees—and explains exactly how to pay them in the modern era. All other websites are providing so much outdated information, we want to bring you up to speed.
📊 Quick Answer: Monthly Bill Estimates
If you are looking for a quick budget estimate, here is what most expats pay per month for essential utilities in Vietnam (Electricity, Water, Internet, Management Fee) in 2026:
| Apartment Size | Monthly Cost Estimate (VND) | Monthly Cost Estimate (USD) |
| Studio / 1-Bedroom | 800k – 1.5 Million VND | ~$30 – $70 |
| 2-Bedroom Condo | 1.5 – 2.5 Million VND | ~$70 – $100 |
| 3-Bedroom Family Unit | 3.0 – 4.0 Million VND | ~$130 – $160 |
| Luxury Penthouse / Villa | 5.0 – 15.0 Million VND+ | ~$200 – $600+ |
Key Takeaway: The biggest variable is Electricity. Using A/C 24/7 will double your bill.
1. Electricity Costs in Vietnam (The Big One)
Expect to pay: 1,000,000 – 2,500,000+ VND ($40 – $100+) per month.
In Ho Chi Minh City’s tropical climate, your electricity bill is driven almost entirely by air conditioning.
- Average Usage: ~250 kWh per person/month.
- Government Rate: Tiered pricing roughly 2,000 – 3,500 VND per kWh.
- Serviced Apartments: Often charge a flat rate of 4,000 – 4,500 VND per kWh.
⚠️ Important 2026 Update:
You will not receive a paper bill. Bills are now issued electronically in 2026 by EVNHCMC.
- Billing Date: Issued between the 5th – 15th of each month.
- Due Date: Usually within 10 days of issue.
- Late Fee: Reconnection costs ~150,000 VND if cut off.
In 2026, checking your utility bills is as easy as opening the MOMO or your local Bank App.
2. Water Bills
Expect to pay: 50,000 – 150,000 VND ($2 – $6) per month.
Water is incredibly cheap in Vietnam, just a few bucks a month.
- Condos: Water is often combined with your Management Fee bill.
- Serviced Apartments: Often charge a flat rate of 100,000 – 150,000 VND per person.
Drinking Water:
Tap water is not drinkable. You will need to order 20L jugs or setup home water filtration system.
- Cost: 50,000 – 70,000 VND per bottle.
- Popular Brands: Lavie, I-on Life, Satori.
- [ Order Water Delivery to Your Apartment]
3. Internet & WiFi Costs
Expect to pay: 300,000 – 500,000 VND ($12 – $20) per month.
Vietnam has the fastest, reliable and cheapest internet in the region. Major improvements have been made with fiber optic cables.
- Speed: 500Mbps to 1GBPS is now standard in 2026.
- Providers: Viettel (Recommended), VNPT, FPT.
- Billing Date: Issued ~15th; Due by ~25th.
Need Speed? If you are a digital nomad or gamer, standard packages might lag or not connect to certain game networks. Hit us up if you plan to bring your console with your to Vietnam.
👉 [Sign-Up For 1GBPS High-Speed Internet Setup VIETTEL]
4. Management Fees in 2026 (HOA) Vietnam HCMC
Expect to pay: 500,000 – 2,000,000+ VND ($20 – $80+) per month.
If you live in a modern condo complex (like Vinhomes, Masteri, or City Garden), you must pay a monthly Management Fee. This covers security, elevator maintenance, pool cleaning, and gym upkeep.
2026 Ho Chi Minh City Management Fee Estimates by Unit Size:
| Unit Type | Approx. Monthly Management Fee |
| 1-Bedroom (50m²) | ~800,000 VND ($32) |
| 2-Bedroom (75m²) | ~1,300,000 VND ($52) |
| 3-Bedroom (110m²) | ~1,900,000 VND ($75) |
| Luxury / Penthouse | ~30,000 VND per m² ($1.20/m²) |
The Old School Way:
If you rent in an older “local” Chung Cu buildings with no elevator or pool, fees are tiny 150k-350k VND and collected in cash by the friendly parking guard. Some of the countryside cheap apartments that are under $500 a month, also have low management fees around 500k a month.
5. How to Pay Bills in 2026 (The Modern Way)
Forget queuing at the post office. Ho Chi Minh City is now cashless-friendly in 2026.
Option A: The Super Apps (Easiest)
Most locals and expats use MOMO or Payoo.
- Open App > Select “Pay Bills”
- Choose Service (Electricity/Water/Internet)
- Enter your Customer Code (found on your lease or provided by your Saigon Cribs Representative).
- Pay instantly.
Option B: Convenience Stores (Cash)
Walk into any 7-Eleven, Circle K, Family Mart, or GS25.
- Show the staff at the register your Customer Bill Code or photo of an old bill.
- Pay by cash or bank QR payment or credit card (VISA/MASTERCARD) at the counter.
- Pro Tip: Keep the receipt!
Option C: Building Apps
Modern complexes (like The Metropole or Empire City) have their own dedicated phone apps. You receive notifications for water, management fees, and parking, and can pay directly inside the app.
💡 The Saigon Cribs Difference: Zero Hassle
Does calculating kWh rates, dealing with lost-in-translation incidents and navigating Vietnamese banking apps sound stressful?
Skip the headache.
When you rent with Saigon Cribs, we manage the utilities billing conveniently for you.
- ✅ One Consolidated Monthly Statement: We combine rent, electricity, water, and internet into one easy monthly invoice so that you can pay one time via bank transfer, credit card, Google Pay, or Apple Pay options.
- ✅ Multiple Payment Options: Pay via Credit Card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Wise.com.
- ✅ No Late Fees: We handle the deadlines so you never get cut off.
Start your hassle-free move today.
👉 [Browse Available Apartments]
👉 [Contact Support for Relocation Advice]
🔗 Related Resources
- [How to Open a Vietnamese Bank Account (Step-by-Step)]
- [Understanding Utility Bills: A Deep Dive into Reading the Meters]
- [Visa Support: Getting Your TRC for Banking]