Moving to Vietnam: what to buy for your apartment

Rentals in Vietnam are often furnished, but "furnished" usually means a bed, a sofa, a fridge and an air conditioner. Basics like a good mattress topper, kitchen tools or a drying rack are often missing. This checklist covers what most people end up buying in the first weeks. Each item has the Vietnamese term to type into Shopee search.

Ask the landlord first. Before you buy anything, walk through the apartment and check what the landlord provides. Some will add a water dispenser, a washing machine or curtains if you ask before signing.

Bedroom

  • Mattress topper topper nệm
  • Waterproof mattress protector ga chống thấm
  • Bedding set bộ chăn ga gối
  • Pillows gối
  • Light summer blanket chăn hè
  • Blackout curtains rèm cản sáng
  • Hangers móc treo quần áo
  • Clothes rack giá treo quần áo

Mattresses in Vietnam are often very firm. A topper is the cheapest fix. Check bed size in centimetres (for example 160 × 200) before you order bedding.

Kitchen

  • Rice cooker nồi cơm điện
  • Air fryer nồi chiên không dầu
  • Electric kettle ấm siêu tốc
  • Knife set bộ dao nhà bếp
  • Cutting board thớt
  • Non-stick frying pan chảo chống dính
  • Pot nồi
  • Plates and bowls bộ bát đĩa
  • Food storage boxes hộp đựng thực phẩm
  • Water filter máy lọc nước
  • Or a water dispenser cây nước nóng lạnh

Tap water in Vietnam is not usually drunk without treatment. Most people use a filter or buy large water bottles for a dispenser.

Bathroom

  • Towels khăn tắm
  • Bath mat thảm chùi chân
  • Shower shelf kệ nhà tắm
  • High-pressure shower head vòi sen tăng áp
  • Laundry basket giỏ đựng đồ bẩn

Cleaning and laundry

  • Mop cây lau nhà
  • Broom and dustpan chổi và hót rác
  • Floor cleaner nước lau sàn
  • Rubbish bags túi rác
  • Bin with lid thùng rác có nắp
  • Washing liquid nước giặt
  • Drying rack giá phơi quần áo
  • Dish soap nước rửa chén
  • Robot vacuum (optional) robot hút bụi

Climate and health

  • Air purifier máy lọc không khí
  • Dehumidifier máy hút ẩm
  • Standing fan quạt cây
  • Mosquito net màn chống muỗi
  • Mosquito repellent xịt chống muỗi
  • Electric mosquito swatter vợt muỗi
  • Thermometer-hygrometer nhiệt ẩm kế
  • First aid kit bộ sơ cứu

Air quality in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City can be poor in some months, so an air purifier is a common first purchase. In the north the spring is very humid, and a dehumidifier helps against mould on walls and clothes.

Electrical

  • Power strip ổ cắm điện kéo dài
  • Plug adapter đầu chuyển ổ cắm
  • LED bulbs bóng đèn LED
Check voltage before plugging in. Vietnam uses 220 V. Most wall sockets take two-pin plugs, flat (type A) or round (type C), and many accept both. Devices from countries with 110–120 V need a converter, not just an adapter. Check the label on your charger or device.

Safety and motorbike

  • Helmet mũ bảo hiểm
  • Raincoat set áo mưa bộ
  • Poncho for bike áo mưa cánh dơi
  • Disc lock khóa đĩa xe máy
  • Small fire extinguisher bình chữa cháy mini
  • Smoke detector thiết bị báo khói

Choose a helmet from a known brand, ideally in Shopee Mall. Very cheap, thin helmets give little protection.

Home office

  • Desk bàn làm việc
  • Ergonomic chair ghế công thái học
  • Desk lamp đèn bàn
  • Laptop stand giá đỡ laptop
  • Wi-Fi extender bộ kích sóng wifi

Big items like appliances and furniture are often cheapest on the big sale days, see the sale calendar. For sheets and clothes, check our size guide.

More guides

How to buy on Shopee VietnamA plain-language guide for foreigners: signing up for Shopee Vietnam, paying by cash on delivery or card, delivery times, returns and choosing reliable shops. Your address in VietnameseWrite your Vietnamese delivery address so couriers find you: hẻm, ngõ, phường, apartment numbers and the 2025 change to wards and provinces. Sizes & shopping wordsWhy clothes on Shopee Vietnam run small, how to read size charts by height and weight, a shoe size table, and the Vietnamese words you see on every listing.