Background: Vietnam has experienced a strong wave of migrants to urban and
industrialized areas. This is a challenge for both local and national governments, which need to
address the problems of the poor and socially marginalized, including providing housing for
rural-to-urban migrants. Poor housing and the economic burden of house renting are increasingly
recognized as determinants of both physical and mental health. Objectives: This paper examined the
association between renting accommodation and income satisfaction and living conditions of female
workers in light manufacturing industries in Vietnam. Methods: A cross-sectional study was
implemented with quantitative survey of 2,818 female workers in 10 light manufacturing factories in
3 industrial zones by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Over 38% of female workers had to
rent accommodation. The average expense for accommodation, water and electricity accounted for
30.1% of renters’ income, which is 7.2% (CI 95%, 5.3–9.3%) higher than for non-renters. A higher
proportion of renters than non-renters considered their income was unstable and insufficient for
living costs. In addition, only 7.2% of renters reported that their living conditions were suitable,
notably lower than non-renters (22.4%). Conclusion: The study showed the economic burden of
renting accommodation on workers’ income satisfaction and living conditions. The findings have
implications for an adequate housing access strategy for workers including the integration of housing
development in the planning and development of industrial zones and factories.