At least 13 people were killed and 28 injured, with police saying it was unclear if anyone was missing.
State media quoted the city's police and fire department as saying police rescued more than 100 residents while more than 1,000 escaped the fire themselves.
The three buildings with 14 to 20 floors have more than 700 apartments.
They were built six years ago in Vietnam's southern commercial hub, formerly called Saigon.
State media said most people died of suffocation or jumping from high floors.