Vietnam Couple Earning $2,800 Monthly Still Feels Financially Unstable in Hanoi, Chooses Rural Life

A couple from Hanoi has made the difficult decision to leave Vietnam's bustling capital city despite earning a combined monthly income of approximately 70 million Vietnamese dong — a figure that far exceeds the average urban salary. Duong Van Bach and his wife found that even their relatively comfortable earnings were not enough to provide a sense of financial security in one of Southeast Asia's most rapidly developing and expensive cities.

The couple had spent years renting accommodation in Hanoi, watching their income absorbed by skyrocketing rental costs, living expenses, and the relentless financial pressures that come with urban life in a major metropolis. Despite their above-average earnings, the dream of owning a home in the city remained frustratingly out of reach, leaving them feeling trapped in a cycle of instability with little prospect of long-term security.

After carefully weighing their options, Bach and his wife ultimately decided to return to their hometown, trading the career opportunities and urban conveniences of Hanoi for a more grounded and affordable way of life. Their story reflects a growing trend among young Vietnamese professionals who are reconsidering the appeal of big-city living as housing costs and inflation continue to rise at alarming rates.

Their decision has sparked widespread discussion online, with many Vietnamese netizens expressing empathy and sharing similar experiences of financial strain in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Experts suggest that stories like this highlight a deepening housing affordability crisis that threatens to push middle-income earners out of Vietnam's urban centers entirely, raising important questions about sustainable urban development and quality of life.

Original Article: Read the full story on Dan Tri