Common Office Types for Businesses Today

The office is a location, a certain area where the headquarters or branches of a company are situated. At the company’s office, employees and leaders work together. The office is where all the company’s business activities take place, including meetings and information exchange with partners and clients.

Therefore, choosing the right office space for the company is seen as the first step towards success in later stages of development.

1. What is a company office?

A company office is a specific location or area where the headquarters or branches of a company are located. At the office, company employees and leaders work together. Additionally, it is a place where meetings and encounters with partners and clients frequently occur.

The company office is where business activities, communication, teamwork, and the shaping of the company’s image take place. It plays an important role in facilitating effective work among employees and creating a professional impression on clients and partners.

Company offices are often designed and decorated to align with the company’s image and values. A beautiful and modern office can enhance trust and credibility in the business.

2. Current types of office spaces

The types of office spaces in Vietnam are very diverse, offering many options that fully meet the different needs of domestic and foreign businesses.

Common types of office spaces include:

• Traditional office spaces
• • Co-working spaces
• • Virtual offices
• • Shared offices
• • Biophilic offices
• • Smart offices

2.1 Traditional Office

The traditional office is the most common type of office today. It is a model designed with a clear division of space, with departments and workstations arranged separately. Traditional offices usually have a large area, with all the necessary amenities for business operations.

2.2 Virtual Office

A virtual office provides businesses with a registered business address, phone number, company email, etc., without the need to rent a physical office. Virtual offices are often located in premium office buildings at prime locations.

2.3 Co-working Space

A co-working space offers businesses a shared workspace, sharing necessary amenities and services. Co-working spaces are typically smaller, designed flexibly to suit the needs of businesses of different sizes.

2.4 Shared Office

A shared office provides businesses with separate workspaces but still shares some common facilities and services. Shared offices are usually larger than co-working spaces and are suitable for medium and small-sized businesses.

2.5 Biophilic Office

A biophilic office is designed to be environmentally friendly, using natural materials, maximizing natural light, etc. Biophilic offices help create a comfortable and healthy working environment for employees.

2.6 Smart Office

A smart office applies advanced technologies, automating work processes. Smart offices help save time and effort, enhancing the efficiency of business operations.

3.Main Types of Office Rentals

Today, the office leasing market can be classified into the following five common types:

• Office space in commercial buildings and office towers
• Officetel – office apartment for lease
• Whole-house leasing for office use
• Coworking space – shared office space
• Virtual office leasing

3.1 Office Floors in Buildings and High-rises

This type is applied to office buildings/high-rises. Office high-rises are divided into four different standards: Grade A, Grade B, Grade C, and budget-friendly.

3.1.1 Grade A Buildings – Luxurious and Prestigious

Grade A office buildings, also known as luxury buildings, are located in prime locations, often referred to as “golden land” in the city.

Being Grade A, the office spaces here are equipped with modern facilities and conveniences, meeting international standards, designed by quality contractors, and managed by professional entities.

3.1.2 Grade B Buildings – Fair Quality

Compared to Grade A buildings, Grade B office buildings may be located further from the city center but are more reasonably priced. This type of office is popular and has a larger supply than Grade A buildings due to satisfactory material conditions, infrastructure, and convenient transportation.

3.1.3 Grade C Buildings – Basic Offices

“Grade C office buildings” is a term used in real estate to refer to buildings containing Grade C offices. In order, Grade C office buildings rank above budget-friendly offices and below Grade A and B offices.

Grade C office buildings usually have a smaller area than Grade A and B buildings, lack high-end amenities and services, and do not meet high standards in quality and design.

However, the rental price for Grade C office buildings is usually cheaper than that of Grade A and B buildings, attracting businesses with low budgets or newly established companies to rent to reduce operating costs.

3.1.4 Budget-Friendly Office Buildings – Cost-Efficient

Budget-friendly office buildings have the lowest rental fees among the types of offices mentioned.

Budget-friendly office buildings are constructed to provide office space for businesses or organizations at a lower cost than premium office buildings.

Typically, budget-friendly office buildings have a smaller area than more luxurious office buildings, and the accompanying amenities and services are also less.

However, with lower rental prices, they are often chosen by small companies or newly established startups with limited budgets.

3.2 Office Apartment Rentals – Officetel

Officetel, a combination of the words ‘Office’ and ‘Hotel,’ is a new type of office rental that has emerged in Vietnam in recent years.

An Officetel is an apartment designed for both living and office use, with areas ranging from 30m2 to over 50m2.

Renting an Officetel office apartment is suitable for small companies with 4-10 employees. Additionally, Officetel apartments can serve as representative offices for foreign companies wanting to establish a presence in Vietnam.

3.3 Renting Entire Houses for Office Use

Some companies prefer their offices to be located on quiet internal streets, in alleys where cars can easily enter and exit. Therefore, renting entire houses for office use is a suitable choice.

The advantages of renting entire houses for office use over other options include:

• Ground-level houses, easy to move around, no need to crowd or wait for elevators.
• Proactive and flexible in dividing the functional use of space.
• More secure and private.
• More control over company logo display.
• Ability to renovate and refurbish the interior as desired (just need to agree with the landlord).
• Operate according to the company’s desired hours, independent of a shared building.

3.4 Coworking Space – Shared Working Environment

Among office types, Coworking Space is a shared workspace designed to create a communal working environment for everyone, including multiple companies.

Coworking Spaces are usually fully equipped with amenities such as desks, chairs, meeting rooms, Wi-Fi, printers, fax machines, air conditioning, etc., free of charge or for a fee depending on the rental package.

Mostly, companies with 1-3 people or individuals who are starting up prefer this rental form.

Coworking Space is suitable for various groups, including:

• Freelancers: Coworking Space is an excellent solution for independent workers, startup founders, freelancers, or consultants as it helps them save on the cost of renting a private office while simultaneously creating a unique and creative work environment.
• Startups and Small Enterprises (SMEs): Coworking Space is also suitable for newly established businesses with limited budgets, as it allows them to rent a shared workspace at a lower cost than renting a private office.

• Remote Workers: With the advancement of technology, many companies allow employees to work remotely. However, many remote workers feel lonely and less effective when working from home. Coworking Space provides them with a communal work environment, fostering social interaction and simultaneously increasing productivity.
• Large enterprises and corporations: Some large enterprises may also use coworking spaces for special projects or when they need greater flexibility in leasing workspace.

In summary, Coworking Space is suitable for anyone looking for a unique, creative, and cost-effective workspace.

3.5 Virtual Office Rentals

Virtual office is one of the office types that provides a cost-effective office solution for newly established businesses or companies with limited budgets that still require a business address and other support services. In addition, virtual offices are often integrated within office buildings and supported by an operations team that handles arising issues. For this reason, virtual offices are familiar to newly formed companies or project teams.

Some virtual office service providers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City may also offer additional services such as online conferencing, accounting support, document storage, and customer information management.

Choosing the right office type depends on the specific needs, scale, industry, and budget of each business. Companies should carefully consider the working environment, supporting facilities, and future scalability. The right choice will play an important role in supporting the company’s sustainable growth and long-term success.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Office Types

4.1 Which office type is suitable for a newly established business?

New businesses may consider a virtual office or coworking space to reduce initial costs while still having a legal business address and flexible workspace.

4.2 Can a virtual office be used for business registration?

Yes. A virtual office provides a valid legal address for business registration and is suitable under current regulations in Vietnam for certain business sectors that do not require a specific physical premises.

4.3 Can an officetel be used as a company office?

It may be possible; however, businesses should carefully check the regulations of each project or building, as some locations may restrict operating hours, business functions, or the use of the space as a registered head office.

4.4 What is the main difference between a shared office and a coworking office?

A shared office provides each company with its own private working area while sharing common facilities. A coworking office, on the other hand, is an open workspace that is fully shared and flexible, typically suitable for individuals or small teams.

4.5 How are office rental costs calculated?

Office rental costs usually include the rent per m²/month, service charge, VAT, and may also include additional costs such as electricity, parking fees, or overtime air-conditioning charges. Businesses should clarify these items before signing the lease agreement to manage their budget effectively.

Bui Duc Huy

Editor and content team manager at Maison Office.

With over 5 years of experience in consulting and extensive content editing in the real estate services and interior design field. Sharing valuable information with customers, partners, and attracting millions of views.