How Much Does Forklift Rental Cost in Ho Chi Minh City?

Forklift rental prices in Ho Chi Minh City range from 400,000 – 5,000,000 VND per day or 6,000,000 – 35,000,000 VND per month depending on forklift type, capacity, and rental duration. Electric forklifts (1.5-2.5 tons) typically cost 8-15 million VND monthly, while diesel forklifts (3-5 tons) range from 25-35 million VND per month.

Factors Affecting Forklift Rental Prices

Forklift rental costs vary significantly based on several key factors that businesses must understand.

Forklift Type and Load Capacity

Electric forklifts generally cost 15-20% less than diesel models due to lower operating expenses. A 1.5-ton electric forklift rents for approximately 8-12 million VND monthly, while a diesel forklift of the same capacity ranges from 10-15 million VND per month.

Higher load capacity means higher rental fees. A 2.5-ton forklift costs 15-20 million VND monthly, 3-ton models run 20-25 million, and 5-ton units can reach 30-40 million VND each month. Heavy-duty forklifts rated at 7-10 tons typically exceed 50 million VND per month.

Rental Duration

Longer rental periods yield better rates. Daily rentals command the highest prices at 800,000 – 5,000,000 VND per day depending on the unit. Monthly rentals reduce costs by 40-50% compared to daily rates, while long-term contracts of six months or more can save an additional 20-30%.

Many providers offer flexible packages including 8-hour shifts, daily, weekly, or long-term contracts spanning 1-3 years. Contracts exceeding 12 months typically include special discounts and complimentary maintenance services.

Location of Use

Distance from the rental company’s depot to your worksite significantly impacts transportation costs. Within central HCMC, delivery fees typically range from 500,000 – 1,500,000 VND per trip. Outlying districts like Cu Chi and Can Gio may incur additional charges of 2-3 million VND for transportation.

For industrial zones in neighboring Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces, many companies maintain branches there, offering more competitive transportation rates.

Included Services

Base rental prices usually exclude operators and fuel. Hiring an operator adds 5-8 million VND monthly, while diesel fuel costs approximately 300-400 thousand VND per 8-hour working day.

Regular maintenance services are typically included in long-term contracts but may be charged separately at 1-2 million VND monthly for short-term rentals.

Price Reference by Forklift Type

Below are reference prices from reputable HCMC providers in 2025.

Electric Forklifts

1.5-ton electric forklift: 1,000,000 – 1,500,000 VND daily, 8,000,000 – 12,000,000 VND monthly. Ideal for indoor warehouses and enclosed facilities.

2.0-ton electric forklift: 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 VND daily, 12,000,000 – 18,000,000 VND monthly. Suitable for small to medium warehouses handling moderate loads.

2.5-ton electric forklift: 1,500,000 – 2,000,000 VND daily, 15,000,000 – 22,000,000 VND monthly. Most popular among logistics businesses and large warehouses.

Diesel/Gas Forklifts

2.5-ton diesel forklift: 1,200,000 – 1,800,000 VND daily, 15,000,000 – 20,000,000 VND monthly. Performs well both indoors and outdoors.

3-ton diesel forklift: 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 VND daily, 20,000,000 – 28,000,000 VND monthly. Common choice for construction sites and container yards.

5-ton diesel forklift: 2,500,000 – 4,000,000 VND daily, 30,000,000 – 40,000,000 VND monthly. Specialized for heavy loads and full containers.

Hand Pallet Trucks

Low-profile pallet truck: 300,000 – 500,000 VND daily, 3,000,000 – 6,000,000 VND monthly. Economical solution for small warehouses.

High-lift pallet truck: 500,000 – 800,000 VND daily, 5,000,000 – 8,000,000 VND monthly. Suitable for moving goods on moderate-height shelving.

Aerial Work Platforms

Scissor lifts 6-12m: 400,000 – 1,200,000 VND daily, 6,000,000 – 15,000,000 VND monthly. Designed for low to medium height operations.

Boom lifts 12-20m: 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 VND daily, 18,000,000 – 35,000,000 VND monthly. Specialized for electrical work and high-rise signage installation.

Boom lifts 22-50m: 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 VND daily, 40,000,000 – 80,000,000 VND monthly. Used for high-rise construction projects.

Comparing Daily vs. Monthly Forklift Rentals

Choosing between daily and monthly rentals depends on your operational needs.

Daily rentals suit businesses requiring forklifts only a few days per month or handling unexpected orders. Daily costs represent roughly 1/20 – 1/25 of monthly rates. Using equipment more than 5 days monthly makes monthly rentals more economical.

Monthly rentals save 40-50% when calculated on a per-day basis. Additionally, customers receive complimentary scheduled maintenance, 24/7 technical support, and backup equipment replacement in case of breakdowns.

For businesses with consistent needs of 10 or more days monthly, monthly rentals prove most cost-effective for both finances and operational efficiency.

Additional Costs When Renting Forklifts

Beyond base rental fees, businesses should budget for these expenses.

Transportation costs typically run 500,000 – 3,000,000 VND depending on distance. Some providers waive delivery fees for rentals of three months or longer.

Operator wages range from 150,000 – 250,000 VND per 8-hour shift, or 5-8 million VND monthly for dedicated operators. Many companies provide licensed, experienced operators.

Fuel for diesel units consumes 300-500 thousand VND per working day. Electric forklifts cost approximately 50-100 thousand VND daily for charging, offering substantial savings.

Equipment and liability insurance fees are usually included in long-term rental prices but may add 2-5% of contract value for short-term arrangements.

Benefits of Renting vs. Buying Forklifts

Forklift rentals offer multiple advantages for small and medium enterprises.

Significant upfront capital savings. A new 2.5-ton forklift costs 300-500 million VND, while renting requires only 15-20 million monthly. With 300 million VND, businesses can rent continuously for 15-20 months while maintaining working capital reserves.

No maintenance worries. According to the Vietnam Logistics Association, forklift maintenance costs 10-15% of equipment value annually, equivalent to 30-75 million VND. When renting, providers handle all repairs and upkeep.

Flexibility to scale operations up or down. Peak seasons allow adding 2-3 units, while low periods permit returns to avoid waste. Particularly suitable for businesses with seasonal fluctuations.

Always using current equipment. Reputable rental companies typically update their fleets every 3-5 years, ensuring customers access the newest models with the latest technology.

Reputable Forklift Rental Providers in HCMC

Ho Chi Minh City hosts over 70 forklift rental service providers of varying scale and quality.

MH Rental operates over 10 years specializing in aerial work platform rentals, maintaining a fleet of 200+ units from brands like Genie, JLG, and LGMG. Specializes in scissor lifts and boom lifts serving construction and facility maintenance.

Thanh Phat Forklifts imports directly from Japan, USA, and Europe. Offers diverse diesel and electric forklifts with capacities up to 20 tons. Provides flexible rental packages by day, month, and year.

24H Fast Transport specializes in material handling equipment with fleets of Toyota, Komatsu, and Mitsubishi models. Offers 24/7 rapid support plus container unloading and machinery lifting services.

Samcovina ranks as a major forklift importer and distributor with branches in HCMC, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai. Specializes in container forklifts, reach stackers, and modern lithium electric forklifts.

Yale Vietnam – official representative of the Yale brand with 147 years of history. Provides comprehensive rental packages without hidden costs, scheduled maintenance, and specialized technical support.

Standard Forklift Rental Process

Professional forklift rental typically follows five main steps.

Step 1 – Request intake: Customers contact providers and supply information about cargo type, load capacity, lift height, usage duration, and work location. When necessary, rental companies dispatch staff for on-site surveys.

Step 2 – Consultation and quotation: Based on requirements, specialists recommend the most suitable equipment and send detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly specify rental fees, transportation costs, maintenance services, and any additional charges.

Step 3 – Equipment inspection and trial: Customers visit depots to inspect units or providers deliver equipment for on-site trials. Check equipment condition, safety features, and operational capability before signing contracts.

Step 4 – Contract signing and delivery: Both parties agree on terms and execute rental agreements. Contracts must specify rental period, pricing, maintenance responsibilities, and damage compensation clauses.

Step 5 – Maintenance and support: During rental periods, providers perform scheduled maintenance 1-2 times monthly and provide free repairs for technical malfunctions. Emergency technical support responds within 2-4 hours.

Key Considerations When Choosing Rental Services

To select reputable and suitable providers, businesses should note several important points.

Verify equipment origin and quality. Units imported from Japan, USA, and Europe offer superior durability compared to Chinese models. Prioritize units under 5 years old with clear maintenance histories.

Confirm legal documentation. Rental providers must supply technical safety inspection certificates, civil liability insurance, and equipment origin records. This ensures legal compliance and operational safety.

Evaluate technical capability. Providers need professionally trained technical teams capable of rapid problem resolution. Response time for equipment failures should not exceed 4 hours.

Compare quotes from 3-5 different providers. Extremely low prices may indicate poor equipment quality or weak after-sales service. Reasonable pricing falls within +/-15% of general market rates.

Review contract terms carefully. Pay attention to additional fees, responsibilities for equipment damage, early termination conditions, and compensation policies. Consider consulting legal counsel for high-value contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rental cost for a 3-ton forklift in HCMC?

A 3-ton forklift rents for approximately 20-28 million VND monthly or 1.5-2.5 million VND daily. Actual pricing depends on engine type (electric or diesel), equipment age, and included services such as operators and maintenance.

Is a deposit required for forklift rentals?

Some providers require deposits of 10-30% of contract value, especially for short-term arrangements. Reputable companies like Samcovina and Yale typically waive deposits for business customers with complete documentation.

Who bears insurance responsibility when renting forklifts?

Rental providers usually purchase equipment and civil liability insurance. However, if damage results from customer operating errors, customers may bear partial repair costs as specified in contract agreements.

Is operator training provided with forklift rentals?

Most providers offer basic operating instruction upon equipment delivery. For long-term contracts, many companies provide comprehensive training programs covering workplace safety and efficient operation techniques.