A Hard-Earned Dream

After years of selling vegetables from Nam Dinh Province to Hanoi, Sang, 35, and his wife found themselves priced out of the capital's housing market. The couple, who had been factory workers in Long Bien District before starting their vegetable business, decided to return to their hometown in Hai Hau District, Nam Dinh Province.

Their vegetable business thrived even during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing them to save significantly. However, as housing prices in Hanoi surged, they realized their dream of buying a house in the city was slipping away. Encouraged by his wife, Trang, Sang decided to build a villa in their hometown instead.

Building Their Villa

In April 2024, they began construction on a 400-square-meter house with five bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, and a family altar room. The courtyard was paved with natural stone, and a small pond and gazebo provided a tranquil retreat. The entire project cost less than VND3.8 billion, entirely funded by their savings.

For Sang, seeing his parents happy in their new home was worth more than any property in Hanoi. "If this house helps my parents live a few more years, it will be the wisest decision I have ever made," he said.

A New Beginning

While they continue to operate their vegetable business from a rented house in Long Bien District, Sang and Trang have no regrets about building their dream villa in their hometown. They believe Hanoi's property prices are currently "too unreasonable" but might reconsider buying in the city when the market stabilizes.

Their story reflects a growing trend of families moving away from large cities to smaller towns or their hometowns, driven by high urban housing prices and improved rural living conditions.