On February 27, 2025, Ho Chi Minh City issued Decision No. 26/2025/QĐ-UBND (“Decision 26”) banning short-term rental activities under the Airbnb model.

Specifically, the decision:
• Prohibits renting out apartments for short-term stays (under 30 days);
• Prohibits using apartments for non-residential purposes;
• Allows long-term leases (over 30 days), but only if tenants sign a direct lease agreement with the property owner.

However, this decision has sparked strong opposition from many residents. As a result, the city is now gathering public feedback to revise the regulation — potentially moving away from an outright ban toward stricter, more tailored management.

There is growing recognition that Airbnb is a legitimate business model. Instead of banning it outright, the city could create a clear legal framework to manage its operations effectively.

This could include requiring hosts to register their business, pay taxes and management fees to offset related public costs, and comply with rules on guest limits, rental periods, shared facility usage, and building regulations set by property management and resident committees.

With proper oversight, Airbnb could become a valuable part of the city’s tourism industry and contribute positively to the local budget — turning it into an opportunity rather than a problem.