Hotel owners across Asia are seeking greater access to debt financing to bolster cash flows as they face historically low occupancy rates.

With the novel coronavirus pandemic and trade tensions driving the shift of production lines from China to Southeast Asia, Vietnam, in particular, seems to have emerged as an attractive destination for investors and manufacturers alike.

The local retail property market has reached the saturation point years ago and now empty storefronts and shopping centres are putting a dent in forecasts.

Vietnam is expected to be one of the most favorite destinations for property investors thanks to its export-driven economy and stronger journey of international integration, professional services firm JLL has said in a recent report.

HCM City and Hanoi continue to lead the momentum in Southeast Asia, ranking third and seventh among the most dynamic cities in the world, according to the City Momentum Index recently issued by property consultant Jones Lang LaSalle.

JLL estimates that hundreds of millions of dollars from Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China are waiting to be funneled into Vietnam’s real estate market.

JLL expects Vietnam’s fastest growing cities to maintain the level of interest from overseas investors, and continue on its growth trajectory, particularly with the help of government policy to resolve infrastructure deficit and city sustainability.

Some 30,000 - 35,000 apartments are expected to launched officially in Ho Chi Minh City this year, mainly contributed by Vinhomes Grand Park project, said the real estate services provider JLL Vietnam.

JLL observes that there are hundreds of million dollars waiting to be poured into the market in most segments of real estate.

As one of the most dynamic economies in the region, Vietnam’s young retail market has great potential as it is increasingly more competitive and attractive to foreign investors.

Proptech in Vietnam is developing and expanding on the back of strong momentum in the Vietnamese real estate market, due to its benefits in improving accuracy and speed, as well as cost savings and convenience. 

Food and beverage and fashion and lifestyle will continue to drive demand in HCM City’s retail property market, according to real estate consultancies.

Trade tensions between the US and China are driving increased real estate investor interest in Southeast Asian countries, with Vietnam’s industrial sector a key focal point, according to JLL Vietnam.

Despite inherent barriers arising from a traditional mindset and the high requirement for trust in the real estate industry, the prospects for proptech in Vietnam are still positive.

The occupancy rates of office buildings located in advantageous positions are at a record high.