What does Vietnam's 'anti-speculation tax system + more prudent credit' mean for investors?

It means Vietnam is shifting its regulatory focus from 'price discussions' to 'transaction behavior governance'. The most important changes for investors are:- The comprehensive cost of short-term holding and frequent turnover may increase;- Banks may adopt a more conservative approach to reviewing and pacing real estate-related funds;- Property selection needs to better distinguish between mature areas with genuine rental demand and new area concept projects with high vacancy rates.

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2026年2月8日

AIAIG Overseas Property Investment Weekly Report: Week 6, 2026 (Part 1) -...

Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational reference only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or a basis for major decision-making. Please make independent judgments and consult professional advisors when needed.

Weekly Overview: The main theme of regulation is 'supplementing data, controlling speculation, stabilizing leasing', and overseas buyers need to advance compliance actions

This week, policy information density is high across various regions, but the core logic can be summarized in three sentences:

First, make "who is buying, how much they bought, and how they rent" traceable (registration/declaration/querying personal real estate holdings, rental contract registration);
Then, use taxes and credit to curb short-term speculation and high vacancy rates (discussions on anti-speculation tax systems, more cautious credit in risk areas);
Maintain support for genuine residential and rental demand (extension of rental occupancy caps, continued supply-side release).

AIAIG Perspective: For overseas buyers, the biggest short-term change is often not "whether they can buy," but the increasing "institutionalization" of materials and processes. When the system strengthens the data foundation, your advantage is no longer information asymmetry, but rather:

More complete documentation preparation (identity, address consistency, fund paths);
More compliant contracts and registration (rentals must be traceable);
Greater sensitivity to tax changes (incorporate potential tax adjustments into budget and holding period assumptions).

1. Singapore: Stable Rental Signals Continue – Extension of Occupancy Limit Relaxation + Continued Release of BTO Supply in February

This week's key information in Singapore still revolves around "rental order and supply expectations."

Extension of occupancy cap relaxation until the end of 2028

For rental models of shared/multi-bedroom products, this is hard information that can be directly incorporated into cash flow assumptions.
Note two levels of compliance:
• Rules differ between HDB flats and private residential properties;
• For private properties to apply higher occupancy caps, it typically relates to area thresholds and registration processes, and must be completed as per regulations.

February BTO/SBF supply (impact of supply-side on expectations)

The supply volume and distribution of the February batch BTO and SBF (combinations of different towns/mature and non-mature estates) will reinforce the expectation of "continued supply release" in public discourse, thereby indirectly constraining the resale market and rental expectations.

AIAIG Perspective:

When policies focus on "rental order" for two consecutive years, it indicates that regulators' judgment of tight rental demand has not changed.
If you are concerned about Singapore's "rental income to cover mortgage/cash flow stability," the more important aspect this week is not "property price fluctuations," but reviewing rental compliance (occupancy limits, registration requirements, lease terms) as part of the transaction.

https://www.hdb.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-publications/press-releases/extension-of-temporary-relaxation-of-occupancy-cap-for-rental-of-hdb-flats-and-private-residential

https://www.ura.gov.sg/Corporate/Property/Residential/Renting-Property/Tmp-relaxation

https://www.hdb.gov.sg/about-us/news-and-publications/press-releases/hdb-launches-9012-flats-in-february-2026-bto-and-sbf-exercises

II. Vietnam: More Clear Direction on Anti-Speculation Tax System + More Prudent Real Estate Credit + Accelerated Social Housing Progress

Vietnam's policy mix signals are becoming clearer: using the three-pronged approach of 'tax + credit + supply (social housing)' to address the structural contradiction of rising housing prices coexisting with high vacancy rates.

Anti-speculation tax system (directional signals have been clarified)

Official and media reports emphasize: will study/promote new tax policies to curb real estate speculation, against the backdrop of rapid housing price increases and high vacancy rates in some newly developed areas.
For overseas buyers, this means two things:
• Increased uncertainty in transaction costs (especially for short-term holding/frequent turnover);
• Holding period will directly affect comprehensive taxes and fees and exit difficulty (it is recommended to include 'tax system change scenarios' in stress tests).

More prudent real estate credit (financial side tightening simultaneously)

Reports mention that the central bank will be stricter on risk areas (including real estate), slowing credit expansion.
In practice, this often manifests as: more conservative loan approvals, more frequent inquiries into fund usage and sources, and more differentiated financing for developers.

Advancement of social housing (affordable supply) targets

The advancement of social housing plans will affect 'demand structure' in the medium to long term: when affordable supply increases, the supply-demand mismatch for high-end properties may become more prominent.

AIAIG Perspective:

The most critical stratification in Vietnam currently is:
• 'Mature areas with strong real residential/rental demand' vs. 'conceptual new areas with high vacancy rates, mainly relying on expectations.'
If the policy goal is to curb speculation, the latter is often the first to be affected.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-plans-tax-policies-tackle-speculation-real-estate-market-2026-01-14/

https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1763678/hcm-city-set-to-build-record-181-000-social-homes-under-new-government-mandate.html

https://en.vneconomy.vn/government-assigns-social-housing-development-targets-for-localities.htm

Three, Malaysia: Capital Repatriation and Recalculation of Transaction Costs for Foreign Buyers – Rising Foreign Investment Inflows + Increase in Foreign Residential Stamp Duty

This week in Malaysia, what's worth watching is not the price news of a single city, but the combination of "funding conditions + transaction costs".

Funding conditions: Foreign capital inflow and asset attractiveness

Reports show increased interest from global investors in Malaysian assets, against a backdrop of expectations for a weaker US dollar, geopolitical risks, and regional relative stability.
Implications for real estate: When financial assets and macro narratives improve, real estate often first reflects in buying interest and development financing confidence for "high-end and core locations".

Transaction costs: Increase in stamp duty for residential property transfers by foreign buyers (effective from 2026-01-01)

Multiple tax/institutional interpretations indicate: Stamp duty rates for foreign individuals and companies purchasing Malaysian residential properties have been raised (widely interpreted by the market as a framework potentially up to 8%).
Key points of impact:
• This is an increase in "one-time costs at the purchase end", which will alter the cost-effectiveness of short-term arbitrage;
• For long-term investors, the key is to budget comprehensively, considering stamp duty along with lawyer fees, state minimum price thresholds, and holding structures (individual/company).

AIAIG perspective:

In Malaysia, the biggest pitfall for overseas buyers is not "whether they can buy", but the differences in state rules and changes in tax and fee standards.
If you are screening Malaysian targets this week, it is recommended to first create a cost table for "state thresholds + taxes and fees + transaction timing" before discussing prices.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/global-investors-betting-rising-star-malaysia-foreign-cash-piles-2026-02-05/

https://assets.kpmg.com/content/dam/kpmg/my/pdf/budget2026-tl-stamp-duty.pdf

https://www.iproperty.com.my/guides/foreigners-buying-property-malaysia-complete-guide-12332

IV. Japan: Accelerating the "Grasp of Actual Conditions" for Foreign-Owned Real Estate — Foreign Land Purchase Survey Launched + Real Estate List Certificate Available from February

Japan's policy signals this week can be interpreted as: advancing foreign ownership from "partially visible" to "more systematically countable and searchable."

Larger-scale survey of foreign land/housing purchases:

Media reports indicate Japan will launch investigations into large-scale land transactions, covering specific area thresholds and designated planning zones.
Such surveys often serve as data prerequisites for subsequent policy tools (differentiated taxes, usage restrictions, sensitive area reviews).

Proof system for "searching real estate by individual name" launched from February:

Previously, Japan's real estate registration leaned more toward "searching by address," but now an official proof tool for "searching by individual" has been added, facilitating asset inventory, inheritance, compliance audits, and cross-border family asset management.

Mid-term direction for expanding nationality information/foreign investment rules:

Since the end of 2025, discussions on collecting nationality information for foreign housing purchases and expanding rules have intensified, with the core still being "grasping actual conditions and increasing transparency."

AIAIG Perspective:

Japan is not simply moving toward a "purchase ban," but rather establishing a foundational data system to support precise regulation.
For Chinese buyers, the most practical short-term impacts are:
• Identity and document preparation need to be more proactive (name spelling, address consistency, passport/residence card);
• Corporate holding structures are also more likely to be required to explain beneficial owners and funding sources (especially in sensitive areas or large transactions).

https://japantoday.com/category/politics/japan-to-launch-probe-into-large-scale-land-acquisitions-by-foreigners

https://www.realestate-tokyo.com/news/property-record-2026/

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/16/japan/politics/foreigners-land-registration/

Five, Dubai: Rental Compliance Remains the "First Gate" for Cash Flow – Ejari Advocacy + Rent Index Tool Normalization

The most useful information in Dubai this week remains in the rental chain.

DLD initiated Ejari promotion, emphasizing "step-by-step guidance": registration, cancellation, certificate download, rent increase calculation, renewal/non-renewal notification processes, etc.
DLD's official Rental Index service continues to be a core tool for rent adjustments and dispute resolution.

AIAIG Perspective:

If you are a landlord: treat Ejari registration/renewal and notification periods as "compliance milestones," otherwise rent adjustments and dispute handling can become uncontrollable.
If you are an investor: when evaluating rental returns in Dubai, be sure to include "compliance friction costs" in your model (agent fees, registration costs, dispute time costs).

https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/news-media/dubai-land-department-strengthens-rental-market-awareness-through-new-ejari-campaign/

https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/rental-index/rental-index/

Question

What is the policy that overseas buyers most urgently need to 'write into their execution list' this week?

AIAIGAnswer

The highest priority is two pieces of 'hard information that will directly impact cash flow and transaction chains':

1) Singapore's occupancy limit relaxation extended until the end of 2028: If you rely on co-living density, this can be directly written into your model, but you must simultaneously verify the private residential area thresholds and registration requirements, as well as HDB-related regulations.

2) Japan's 'property ownership inquiry per person' certification system launched in February + foreign investment land purchase investigation initiated: This means asset inventory and compliance audits will become more standardized, and document preparation (identity consistency, fund paths, explanation of beneficial owners for legal entities) needs to be more proactive.

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AIAIG Opinion2026年2月8日

AIAIG Overseas Property Investment Weekly: Global Housing and Rental Trends,...

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AIAIG Overseas Property Investment Weekly Report: Week 6, 2026 (Part 1) -...

Weekly Overview: The main theme of regulation is 'supplementing data, controlling speculation, stabilizing leasing', and overseas buyers need to advance compliance actions

1. Singapore: Stable Rental Signals Continue – Extension of Occupancy Limit Relaxation + Continued Release of BTO Supply in February

II. Vietnam: More Clear Direction on Anti-Speculation Tax System + More Prudent Real Estate Credit + Accelerated Social Housing Progress

Three, Malaysia: Capital Repatriation and Recalculation of Transaction Costs for Foreign Buyers – Rising Foreign Investment Inflows + Increase in Foreign Residential Stamp Duty

IV. Japan: Accelerating the "Grasp of Actual Conditions" for Foreign-Owned Real Estate — Foreign Land Purchase Survey Launched + Real Estate List Certificate Available from February

Five, Dubai: Rental Compliance Remains the "First Gate" for Cash Flow – Ejari Advocacy + Rent Index Tool Normalization

延伸阅读

AIAIG Overseas Property Investment Weekly: Global Housing and Rental Trends,...