More disciplined growth for real estate and construction

A cross Vietnam's real estate and construction markets, prices are expected to stabilise, with modest 5-8 per cent increases for well-located residential projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, especially around metro lines, ring roads, and upgraded urban infrastructure.

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Industrial real estate remains Vietnam's most resilient and high-performing segment

(Photo: Le Toan)

Demand is clearly shifting towards real end-users who prioritise legal transparency and reputable developers. While 2026 is unlikely to replicate the rapid expansion of earlier cycles, quality, well-planned projects are expected to outperform and lay the groundwork for a more resilient upswing beyond 2026. For investors, this marks a shift: long-term value takes priority over short-term speculation.

Vietnam is entering one of its most active infrastructure investment periods. Public investment disbursement is projected to rise 8 per cent in 2026, reaching record levels. Major projects including the North-South Expressway, Long Thanh International Airport, Gia Binh Airport, and new metro lines will directly boost construction output, expected to grow by around 10 per cent.

Improved highways and transit networks are already opening new development corridors, attracting both suburban projects and logistics hubs. As public-private partnership regulations become clearer and more investor-friendly, co-financed infrastructure is emerging as a sizeable opportunity. Overall, this infrastructure wave acts as a catalyst for long-term real estate and regional development.

A series of legal reforms effective between late 2023 and early 2026 is reshaping the regulatory environment. Updates to laws for land, housing, real estate, and construction are addressing longstanding challenges in land administration and project approvals. Key improvements include annual market-based land pricing, expanded eligibility for land-use-rights certificates, clearer rules for apartment ownership, stricter governance of off-plan sales, and digitised permitting processes under the new Construction Law.