Moving to Ho Chi Minh City: a practical apartment setup checklist

Confirm what is included in the apartment

Ask the landlord for an inventory, photos and the status of appliances, internet and utility arrangements. Record issues that are already present before arranging new work. This checklist applies to your particular apartment, whether it is in Thao Dien, central Saigon or elsewhere; it is not a substitute for your tenancy agreement.

• Keys and arrival access
• Appliance condition and existing repairs
• Furniture and household items included
• Internet account and installation status
• Who authorizes work and pays each charge

Move-in questions for Thao Dien or another neighbourhood

The useful move-in brief identifies the apartment, not just the neighbourhood. If you are moving to Thao Dien, use the same apartment-specific checks rather than assuming a neighbourhood-wide package or set of building rules. Confirm the address your landlord and providers will use, the access contact, what is included and which jobs still need arranging.

• Who hands over the keys and checks the inventory?
• Which existing faults or unfinished tasks should be recorded?
• Who confirms permissions, access and appointment times for this apartment?

Set the scope for cleaning or household help

List the rooms, items and tasks you want completed. Mark the priority areas and any items that should not be handled. Agree what is included before booking, especially if cleaning, unpacking or small household tasks are combined. Do not assume an extra task is included in a quoted visit.

• Who supplies the materials and equipment, and what should not be used?
• Is rubbish or packaging removal included?
• Who can approve extra tasks, more time or a changed quote?
• Who admits the provider and checks the agreed work afterwards?

Confirm delivery access with your building

Ask building management which instructions apply to the particular delivery. Confirm them with the seller or mover before dispatch. Instructions for another building are not evidence of the delivery, parking or lift rules for your apartment.

• Does the delivery need advance registration or an agreed time window?
• Where can the vehicle unload, and which entrance or lift can be used?
• Do item and package dimensions fit the confirmed access route?
• Who receives the delivery, and what happens if access is delayed or an item does not fit?

Put the tasks in a useful order

Confirm access first. Then arrange any agreed cleaning or repair work before bringing in furniture where possible. Discuss installation times before buying equipment that depends on internet or power. Give movers the building address, item sizes and any lift or parking instructions confirmed by management. Do not assume every building uses the same delivery rules.

Keep a purchase and approval list

Separate essential items from purchases that can wait. Record size, budget, quantity and delivery requirements for each item. Approve the supplier and total cost before ordering. Check assembly, returns and warranty terms, particularly for furniture or appliances. Leave room for delivery or installation dates to change.

Check an existing internet connection before ordering a new one

FPT Telecom lists new subscriptions, account-owner changes and package changes as separate questions in its official Internet FAQ. If the apartment already uses FPT, ask who owns the account and which process applies. For any operator, confirm coverage for the exact building and unit, and ask which documents that operator requires for your application. Get the appointment and complete charges confirmed before relying on internet for your first workday.

• Existing operator and account holder, if known
• Whether the connection is included in the tenancy
• A new subscription or permission to change the existing account
• Building permission and access for the technician
• Installation, equipment, monthly and cancellation charges
• Support contact and equipment-return arrangements at move-out

Use one point of contact for the remaining setup

Send Saigon Desk your arrival date, what is already arranged and the jobs you want coordinated. We can discuss cleaning, repairs, internet installation, movers and household sourcing within an agreed scope. We do not invent a fixed move-in package. Provider charges and purchases are normally separate from the coordination fee. Immigration matters require an appropriate qualified professional.

Check current official information