According to Cushman & Wakefield's 2024 report on the world's most expensive retail streets, Dong Khoi Street ranked 14th globally, slipping one position from 2023.

The average retail rental price on Dong Khoi was reported at €3,594 per square meter per year, which translates to approximately €300 per square meter per month, or around 8 million VND per square meter per month. This figure reflects a six percent decline from the previous year.

Surprisingly, this ranking places Dong Khoi above major retail hubs such as Ermou Street in Athens, Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona, and Bloor Street in Toronto.

However, an on-the-ground survey by VietNamNet reveals a stark contrast between global rankings and actual market rates.

A retail space of about 250 square meters near the Dong Khoi - Nguyen Thiep intersection, close to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, is currently listed for 300 million VND per month.

This price corresponds to approximately 1.2 million VND per square meter per month, which is significantly lower than the Cushman & Wakefield estimate.

Another 100-square-meter storefront on Dong Khoi is being offered at 400 million VND per month, which equates to 4 million VND per square meter per month.

Additionally, a 150-square-meter, two-story shophouse is available for 240 million VND per month. Despite being a prime location, several properties remain vacant for extended periods, with many displaying "For Lease" signs, highlighting the difficulty in attracting tenants.

Recent market research shows that rental prices for retail spaces across Ho Chi Minh City’s central districts have dropped by an average of 10 to 18 percent since late 2024.

The steepest declines have been recorded in District 1 and Binh Thanh, where prices have fallen by 20 to 32 percent.

A DKRA Group report further indicates that rental prices for townhouses in prime locations have dropped by an additional two percent since Lunar New Year 2025 and are now 24 to 26 percent lower than the same period last year.

Rental prices in District 1 have fallen between 17 and 20 percent, while District 5 has seen a decrease of 25 to 30 percent. In Phu My Hung, District 7, rental prices have dropped by around 12 percent.

Experts cite several factors behind this downturn. Many businesses have shut down or relocated due to economic challenges in 2024, leading to an oversupply of retail space.

Economic uncertainty has also cooled demand for premium rental locations, forcing landlords to lower prices in an attempt to attract tenants.