Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Laos Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Vientiane's property market is included in our pack
If you're looking to rent or invest in Vientiane in 2026, understanding current rental prices is essential.
This guide breaks down average rents, top neighborhoods, tenant preferences, and landlord costs in Vientiane's rental market.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect the latest data and trends in Vientiane.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Vientiane.
Insights
- Studio apartments in Vientiane rent for around $400 per month in 2026, which is roughly 8.6 million LAK, making Vientiane one of the most affordable Southeast Asian capitals for renters.
- The gap between basic Lao-style apartments and serviced expat-ready units in Vientiane can be $300 or more per month for the same number of bedrooms.
- Vientiane rents are expected to grow 6% to 10% in USD terms during 2026, but in LAK terms, tenants may see increases of 8% to 15% due to currency and utility pressures.
- Backup power and reliable water systems add more rental value in Vientiane than luxury finishes because tenants prioritize daily reliability over aesthetics.
- Chanthaboury and Sisattanak districts command the highest rents in Vientiane, with serviced apartments reaching $15 to $25 per square meter per month.
- Vacancy rates in Vientiane range from 6% to 9% for well-located expat-ready units, but climb to 10% to 14% for older or outer-district properties.
- Well-priced furnished 1-bedroom apartments in central Vientiane typically rent within 25 to 45 days, while larger villas can sit on the market for 45 to 75 days.
- Peak rental demand in Vientiane hits in January through March and again in August through October, driven by NGO and institutional hiring cycles rather than tourism.
- Rental income in Vientiane is taxed at a flat 10% rate, which landlords must declare shortly after receiving payment.
- Furnished rentals dominate Vientiane's market because expats and short-term tenants prefer the convenience and predictable monthly costs they offer.
What are typical rents in Vientiane as of 2026?
What's the average monthly rent for a studio in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a studio apartment in Vientiane is around $400, which equals approximately 8.6 million LAK or €380.
Most studio rentals in Vientiane fall within a realistic range of $300 to $600 per month, or about 6.5 to 13 million LAK (€285 to €570), depending on location and amenities.
The main factors that cause studio rents to vary in Vientiane include the district (central Chanthaboury costs more), whether the unit is furnished or serviced, and how reliable the electrical and water systems are.
What's the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Vientiane is around $650, which equals approximately 14 million LAK or €620.
Most 1-bedroom rentals in Vientiane fall within a realistic range of $450 to $1,000 per month, or about 9.7 to 21.7 million LAK (€430 to €950), with serviced expat-ready units sitting at the higher end.
In Vientiane, the cheapest 1-bedroom rents are typically found in outer areas like Xaythany, while the most expensive 1-bedroom apartments are located in central Chanthaboury and the diplomatic belt of Sisattanak.
What's the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Vientiane is around $1,050, which equals approximately 22.7 million LAK or €1,000.
Most 2-bedroom rentals in Vientiane fall within a realistic range of $750 to $1,600 per month, or about 16.2 to 34.7 million LAK (€715 to €1,520), with villa compounds and serviced buildings at the top of that range.
The cheapest 2-bedroom rents in Vientiane are generally found in outer districts like Xaythany, while the most expensive options are in Sisattanak's embassy area and central Chanthaboury, where expat families drive demand for larger, reliable units.
By the way, you will find much more detailed rent ranges in our property pack covering the real estate market in Vientiane.
What's the average rent per square meter in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average rent per square meter in Vientiane is around $10 to $14, which equals approximately 216,000 to 300,000 LAK or €9.50 to €13.30 per square meter per month.
Across different Vientiane neighborhoods, rent per square meter ranges from about $10 per square meter in standard apartments to $15 to $25 per square meter (325,000 to 540,000 LAK or €14 to €24) for prime serviced units in Chanthaboury and Sisattanak.
Compared to other major cities in the region, Vientiane's rent per square meter remains lower than Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City, making it relatively affordable for Southeast Asia.
In Vientiane, properties with backup power, quality air conditioning, reliable water systems, and security features typically push rent per square meter well above the average.
How much have rents changed year-over-year in Vientiane in 2026?
As of January 2026, rents in Vientiane have increased by an estimated 6% to 10% year-over-year in USD terms, and by 8% to 15% in LAK terms due to currency fluctuations and utility cost pass-throughs.
The main factors driving rent changes in Vientiane this year include inflation pressures, rising electricity and water tariffs, and steady demand from NGOs and expat workers who value reliable housing.
This year's rent increase in Vientiane is slightly lower than the previous year's trend, as macroeconomic conditions have stabilized somewhat following the high-inflation period of 2023 and 2024.
What's the outlook for rent growth in Vientiane in 2026?
As of January 2026, rent growth in Vientiane is projected at 5% to 9% for well-located, well-managed properties, with upside potential of 10% to 14% for expat-ready units near embassies and international schools.
The key factors likely to influence rent growth in Vientiane include continued inflation pressures, utility tariff adjustments, and the pace of economic recovery as highlighted by the IMF and World Bank.
In Vientiane, the Sisattanak embassy belt and central Chanthaboury are expected to see the strongest rent growth because supply of quality serviced units remains limited relative to institutional demand.
Risks that could cause Vientiane rent growth to differ from projections include renewed currency depreciation, sharper-than-expected utility price hikes, or a slowdown in NGO and development sector activity.
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Laos. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
Which neighborhoods rent best in Vientiane as of 2026?
Which neighborhoods have the highest rents in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the three Vientiane neighborhoods with the highest average rents are Chanthaboury (central district), Sisattanak (embassy and diplomatic belt), and premium pockets of Xaysetha, where serviced apartments can reach $15 to $25 per square meter ($325,000 to 540,000 LAK or €14 to €24 per square meter).
These high-rent neighborhoods in Vientiane command premium prices because they offer proximity to embassies, international services, restaurants, and the most reliable infrastructure in the city.
The typical tenants in these high-rent Vientiane neighborhoods are expats working for NGOs, diplomatic staff, international contractors, and well-paid local professionals who prioritize convenience and reliability.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Vientiane.
Where do young professionals prefer to rent in Vientiane right now?
Young professionals in Vientiane typically prefer to rent in central Chanthaboury (especially the Anou, Vatchan, and Talat Sao areas), as well as the border areas of Sisattanak like Saphang Mo where they get close-in convenience without the highest prices.
In these Vientiane neighborhoods, young professionals typically pay $400 to $700 per month (8.6 to 15 million LAK or €380 to €665) for furnished studios or 1-bedroom apartments.
What attracts young professionals to these Vientiane neighborhoods is the walkable access to cafes, restaurants, errands, and short commute times to offices in the city center.
By the way, you will find a detailed tenant analysis in our property pack covering the real estate market in Vientiane.
Where do families prefer to rent in Vientiane right now?
Families in Vientiane typically prefer to rent in Sisattanak (especially Thongphanthong and Phonethong), the Xaysetha/That Luang area (including Thatluang Kang), and villa compounds in these districts where they can find more space and quieter streets.
In these family-friendly Vientiane neighborhoods, families typically pay $900 to $1,600 per month (19.5 to 34.7 million LAK or €855 to €1,520) for 2 to 3 bedroom apartments or houses.
What makes these Vientiane neighborhoods attractive to families is the combination of larger housing stock, gated compounds with security, and reliable utilities including backup power.
Families in these Vientiane areas have access to international schools and educational options, including the Vientiane International School and other internationally oriented institutions that serve the expat and diplomatic community.
Which areas near transit or universities rent faster in Vientiane in 2026?
As of January 2026, the areas that rent fastest in Vientiane are Dongdok near the National University of Laos (NUOL), main-road corridors connecting Chanthaboury to Xaysetha and Xaythany, and central Chanthaboury itself where commute times are shortest.
In these high-demand Vientiane areas, properties typically stay listed for 20 to 35 days, compared to 45 to 75 days in less central locations.
Properties within walking distance of NUOL or on major Vientiane transit corridors typically command a rent premium of $50 to $150 per month (1 to 3.2 million LAK or €48 to €143) because tenants value shorter commutes and easy access.
Which neighborhoods are most popular with expats in Vientiane right now?
The three Vientiane neighborhoods most popular with expats are Sisattanak (particularly the diplomatic and embassy-side residential pockets like Thongphanthong), central Chanthaboury (serviced apartments around Vatchan and Anou), and parts of Xaysetha near That Luang.
Expats in these Vientiane neighborhoods typically pay $700 to $1,500 per month (15 to 32.5 million LAK or €665 to €1,425) for furnished apartments or houses with reliable services.
What makes these Vientiane neighborhoods attractive to expats is the proximity to embassies, international services, reliable infrastructure, security features, and the availability of serviced apartments with included utilities.
The expat communities most represented in these Vientiane neighborhoods include diplomatic staff, NGO workers, development professionals, and contractors from various countries working on regional projects.
And if you are also an expat, you may want to read our exhaustive guide for expats in Vientiane.
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Who rents, and what do tenants want in Vientiane right now?
What tenant profiles dominate rentals in Vientiane?
The three tenant profiles that dominate Vientiane's rental market are local professionals and small households, NGO and development sector expats, and families living in compounds.
In Vientiane, local professionals make up roughly 50% to 55% of the rental market, expats and contractors account for about 25% to 30%, and families in larger units represent approximately 15% to 20%.
Local professionals in Vientiane typically seek furnished studios or 1-bedrooms in central areas, expats prefer serviced 1 to 2 bedroom apartments with reliable utilities, and families look for 2 to 3 bedroom houses or villa compounds with security.
If you want to optimize your cashflow, you can read our complete guide on how to buy and rent out in Vientiane.
Do tenants prefer furnished or unfurnished in Vientiane?
In Vientiane, roughly 70% to 75% of tenants prefer furnished rentals, while only 25% to 30% seek unfurnished units, especially for longer-term local family rentals.
Furnished apartments in Vientiane typically command a rent premium of $50 to $150 per month (1 to 3.2 million LAK or €48 to €143) compared to unfurnished units of similar size and location.
In Vientiane, expats, NGO workers, and short-to-medium term tenants strongly prefer furnished rentals because they reduce up-front costs and offer predictable monthly expenses.
Which amenities increase rent the most in Vientiane?
The five amenities that increase rent the most in Vientiane are backup power (generator or inverter), quality air conditioning with good insulation, reliable water pressure and storage systems, security features and gated compounds, and "bills included" packages.
In Vientiane, backup power can add $50 to $100 per month (1 to 2.2 million LAK or €48 to €95) to rent, quality air conditioning adds $30 to $80 per month, reliable water systems add $20 to $50 per month, security features add $50 to $100 per month, and all-inclusive utility packages can add $75 to $150 per month to the base rent.
In our property pack covering the real estate market in Vientiane, we cover what are the best investments a landlord can make.
What renovations get the best ROI for rentals in Vientiane?
The five renovations that get the best ROI for rental properties in Vientiane are electrical system upgrades with backup power, efficient air conditioning with proper sealing, kitchen refresh for cleanliness and functionality, bathroom water pressure and hot water reliability, and Wi-Fi-ready wiring and router placement.
In Vientiane, an electrical system upgrade typically costs $500 to $2,000 (10.8 to 43.3 million LAK or €475 to €1,900) and can increase rent by $50 to $100 per month, while air conditioning improvements cost $300 to $1,000 and add $30 to $60 per month, kitchen refresh costs $400 to $1,500 and adds $30 to $70 per month, bathroom upgrades cost $200 to $800 and add $20 to $50 per month, and Wi-Fi setup costs $100 to $300 and adds $15 to $30 per month.
Renovations that tend to have poor ROI in Vientiane include luxury cosmetic finishes like marble countertops or high-end flooring, because tenants prioritize daily reliability over aesthetics.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Laos versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
How strong is rental demand in Vientiane as of 2026?
What's the vacancy rate for rentals in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the estimated vacancy rate for rental properties in Vientiane is around 6% to 9% for well-located expat-ready units, and 10% to 14% for older or outer-district properties.
Across different Vientiane neighborhoods, vacancy rates range from as low as 5% in central Chanthaboury and Sisattanak's embassy belt, to 15% or higher in less central areas of Xaythany.
The current vacancy rate in Vientiane is roughly in line with historical averages, reflecting stable demand from the NGO, diplomatic, and local professional sectors without the extreme tightness seen in some boom periods.
Finally please note that you will have all the indicators you need in our property pack covering the real estate market in Vientiane.
How many days do rentals stay listed in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, the average number of days rentals stay listed in Vientiane is around 35 to 50 days, with well-priced furnished 1-bedrooms in central areas moving in 25 to 45 days.
Across different property types and Vientiane neighborhoods, days on market ranges from 25 days for quality central studios to 75 days or more for larger villas or less conveniently located units.
The current days-on-market figure in Vientiane is similar to one year ago, indicating a stable rental market without significant tightening or loosening compared to early 2025.
Which months have peak tenant demand in Vientiane?
Peak tenant demand in Vientiane typically hits in January through March and again in August through October, when most new work contracts, NGO program cycles, and project starts occur.
What drives these seasonal demand patterns in Vientiane is the institutional calendar of NGOs, diplomatic rotations, and development projects, rather than tourism seasonality.
The lowest tenant demand in Vientiane usually falls in April through June (around the Lao New Year holiday period) and November through December when fewer new contracts begin.
Buying real estate in Vientiane can be risky
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What will my monthly costs be in Vientiane as of 2026?
What property taxes should landlords expect in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, landlords in Vientiane should expect annual land tax of approximately 200,000 to 2,000,000 LAK per year (roughly $9 to $90 or €9 to €86), depending on plot size and location classification.
Across different Vientiane property values and locations, annual land tax ranges from under $10 for small residential plots to $100 or more for larger central compounds, though this remains small relative to annual rental income.
Property taxes in Vientiane are calculated as land tax charged annually based on location classification and land area (per square meter), rather than as a percentage of market value like in many Western countries.
Please note that, in our property pack covering the real estate market in Vientiane, we cover what exemptions or deductions may be available to reduce property taxes for landlords.
What utilities do landlords often pay in Vientiane right now?
In Vientiane, landlords most commonly pay for water, Wi-Fi, and common area maintenance in serviced or expat-oriented units, and sometimes cap electricity costs in "bills included" packages.
Typical monthly costs for landlord-paid utilities in Vientiane are around 25,000 to 60,000 LAK ($1 to $3 or €1 to €3) for water, 150,000 to 300,000 LAK ($7 to $14 or €7 to €13) for Wi-Fi, and 100,000 to 300,000 LAK ($5 to $14 or €5 to €13) for common area maintenance.
The common practice in Vientiane is for tenants to pay electricity and water directly in standard local leases, but serviced apartments increasingly bundle utilities into the rent to reduce negotiation friction and attract tenants who want predictable monthly costs.
How is rental income taxed in Vientiane as of 2026?
As of January 2026, rental income in Vientiane is taxed at a flat rate of 10%, which the landlord must declare shortly after receiving payment based on the lease agreement.
The main deductions landlords can claim against rental income in Vientiane are limited, as the 10% rate is applied to gross rental amounts, though certain property-related expenses may be considered depending on how the tax authority assesses the lease.
A common tax mistake landlords in Vientiane should avoid is failing to declare rental income within the required timeframe after receiving payment, which can trigger penalties specific to Laos' declaration schedule.
We cover these mistakes, among others, in our list of risks and pitfalls people face when buying property in Vientiane.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Laos compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Vientiane, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| RentsBuy | It's a long-running property platform with lots of live, price-tagged rental listings you can verify one by one. | We sampled current Vientiane apartment listings (studio, 1BR, 2BR) to anchor real asking rent ranges. We then used those observed price clusters to build the typical rent estimates throughout this article. |
| AsiaVillas | It's a large regional portal that publishes searchable inventories with location and rent details. | We used it to cross-check the rent ranges and to see which districts have the most rental inventory. We also used its district breakdown (Chanthaboury, Sisattanak, Xaysetha) to ground our neighborhood recommendations. |
| Lao Statistics Bureau (CPI) | This is the official statistics agency, so its CPI series is the closest thing to ground truth on inflation trends. | We used it to frame how cost pressures (inflation) feed into rents and operating costs. We cross-checked inflation narratives from news against the official CPI series. |
| IMF (2025 Article IV) | The IMF is a top-tier macro source and its country consultations are heavily scrutinized. | We used it to set the 2026 macro backdrop (growth, inflation risks) that typically drives rent direction. We then translated that into a rent-growth outlook for Vientiane. |
| World Bank (Lao Economic Monitor) | The World Bank is a primary source for Laos macro conditions and household cost pressures. | We used it to triangulate the IMF view on stability, inflation easing, and growth momentum. We used those trends to stress-test our 2026 rent-growth assumptions. |
| Asian Development Bank (ADO) | ADB is a core regional institution and its forecasts are widely used by policymakers and investors. | We used it to cross-check 2026 growth and inflation direction with IMF and World Bank. We used that triangulation to keep our rent outlook conservative and defensible. |
| VDB Loi (Laos Tax Booklet) | VDB Loi is a well-known legal and tax firm in Laos and the booklet cites the tax framework in a structured way. | We used it for the clearest rental income tax rate reference (including rentals at 10%). We also used its filing and payment notes to explain what landlords actually do in practice. |
| PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries | PwC's summaries are a widely trusted, regularly updated reference for country tax systems. | We used it to confirm the existence and structure of land tax (annual, per square meter) and general property-tax framing. We then paired it with VDB Loi details for rental income taxation. |
| KPMG (Doing Business in Laos) | KPMG is an established professional services firm and the guide is written for compliance-oriented readers. | We used it as a second professional cross-check that rent payments can be subject to withholding and deduction mechanics. We used it to keep the tax section consistent across sources. |
| Laotian Times (Inflation) | It's a mainstream Laos outlet and, crucially, it attributes the figures to the Lao Statistics Bureau. | We used it only as a pointer to the official LSB inflation context (especially utilities). We used it to explain why utility costs are a bigger swing factor than base rent in 2026. |
| Laotian Times (Water Tariff) | It reports a city-approved plan and includes the tariff table image from the water enterprise context. | We used it to extract the 2026 tap-water tariff schedule by consumption tiers. We used those numbers to estimate typical monthly water bills for rentals. |
| The Nation (Electricity Tariff) | It's a mainstream regional outlet and reports concrete tariff roadmap numbers for Laos. | We used it to quantify how electricity costs may move through 2026 (important for air-con heavy rentals). We used that to set realistic utility budgets and explain why all-inclusive rents are popular. |
| Exchange-Rates.org | It provides a transparent historical table and averages you can verify day by day. | We used it to pick a realistic as-of January 2026 conversion anchor (late-2025 and average-2025 level). We used that anchor consistently across all LAK conversions in this article. |
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