Following major setbacks in her work, Cam Van left Da Nang to return to her hometown, building a 49-square-meter home amid lush green gardens to rediscover peace of mind.

In 2023, Nguyen Thi Cam Van (born in 2000, native to Dak Doa District, Gia Lai Province) decided to leave Da Nang and return home to live with her parents after an extended period of facing adversity.

Earlier in 2018, Van had left her hometown for Da Nang to study and work. She ran a tourism service business, rented a small room, and began living independently.

During the initial years, Van's business proved quite favorable. With a stable income and positive relationships, city life matched everything she had envisioned upon leaving home.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, severely impacting Van's work. She struggled and persevered to manage operations over two full years, yet performance failed to rebound.

Facing her first major failure, the young woman slid into a psychological crisis, feeling isolated and directionless.

“I felt lost, aimless, and no longer wanted to stay there,” Van said.

Amid her most exhausted days, she decided to abandon city life and return home to be near her family.

Prior to that, while her business flourished, Van frequently sent money home to support her mother. That saved money subsequently became a financial cushion helping her cover living expenses during her break.

Building a "healing" home

After living with her parents for six months, Van gradually grew fond of the peaceful rural lifestyle. She maintained her work in the tourism industry while scaling back targets and working remotely.

However, living under one roof presented certain inconveniences. She frequently answered phone calls and handled customer requests, and because her parents' house lacked soundproofing, other family members suffered sleep disruptions.

Van suddenly conceived the idea of building a small home on an 80-square-meter plot located directly behind her parents' main house. Her parents and siblings enthusiastically supported the decision.

Van's house covers an area of 49 square meters, with the remaining land reserved for a garden courtyard. Construction spanned a brief two months from May to July 2026, costing a total of VND300 million.

“When construction began, I only had about VND70 million. Thanks to additional financial support from my parents alongside income earned while working, I built the house while managing payments for each installment. By the time it was completed, everything was fully covered,” Van recalled.

The home features a layout comprising one bedroom, one bathroom, and an open-concept living room connected to the kitchen. Prior to building, she consulted home designs online, sought advice from her parents and relatives, and sketched the concepts for her home herself.

Throughout construction, Van monitored progress closely. She guided the builders through each phase to ensure everything matched her expectations.

“Living alone, I didn't want to divide the area into multiple rooms; instead, I prioritized open, light-filled spaces convenient for daily routines,” Van said.

Furnishings were kept strictly minimal, comprising only essentials like a bed, sofa, dining table, refrigerator, and kitchen appliances.

Due to a tight budget, Van did not purchase everything at once, adding items gradually as finances permitted.

Notably, she repurposed leftover timber purchased by her older brother for the wooden doors and kitchen cabinets, significantly reducing interior costs.

“The highlight of the house is the lush green courtyard garden that I personally designed and tended.

"I purchased stones and grass myself to pave the yard. The fencing was repurposed from stones farmers had discarded in nearby fields. Most of the plants and flowers were cuttings I requested around the local area and brought back to plant,” Van shared.

The young woman admitted that building a house was never part of her plans in her twenties. The house did not bring immediate happiness when it was completed; instead, it gradually became a space for healing, helping her regain inner peace after life's upheavals.

Today, Van lives in her own cozy, green environment. Every day, she eats, works, and lives at her own pace without worrying about disturbing anyone.

In her free time, she sits on the front porch sipping tea, catching the breeze, and enjoying the fresh air.

“In the morning and afternoon, birds regularly perch on the trees by my house, singing merrily. Every time I open the door to welcome the sunlight, my mind calms down, and it feels truly pleasant,” she said.

Thanh Minh