Housing & Rental 7 minOctober 8, 2026

Renting an Apartment in Vietnam: Hidden Utility Costs & EVN Electric Tariffs

How to avoid inflated electricity bills from landlords, understand EVN tiered pricing, and secure fair lease contracts.

Apartment Rental in Vietnam

Whether living in Da Nang, Nha Trang, or Ho Chi Minh City, condo rentals are generally affordable, modern, and foreigner-friendly. However, utility markups — especially electricity — can double your monthly living expenses if not negotiated properly.

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The Official EVN 6-Tier Residential Tariff

Vietnam's state power company (EVN) bills residential power on a progressive 6-tier ladder:

  • Tier 1 (0–50 kWh): ~1,893 ₫/kWh
  • Tier 2 (51–100 kWh): ~1,956 ₫/kWh
  • Tier 3 (101–200 kWh): ~2,271 ₫/kWh
  • Tier 4 (201–300 kWh): ~2,860 ₫/kWh
  • Tier 5 (301–400 kWh): ~3,197 ₫/kWh
  • Tier 6 (401+ kWh): ~3,302 ₫/kWh + 8% VAT

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Landlord Flat Rates vs Official EVN Rates

Many landlords charge foreigners a flat rate of 3,500 ₫ to 4,500 ₫ per kWh.

  • A standard 1-bedroom apartment running air conditioning frequently consumes 350–500 kWh/month.
  • At an inflated rate of 4,000 ₫/kWh, your electric bill reaches 1,600,000 – 2,000,000 ₫ ($65 – $80 USD).
💡 Tip: Always ask the landlord before signing: "Is electricity billed according to official EVN state app bills (theo giá nhà nước) or a flat landlord rate?"

Use our EVN Electricity Calculator to verify your monthly bill.

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