There was a time when the prosperous lights of mega-cities were always a giant magnet attracting all the ambitions and aspirations of youth. But in recent years, a reverse wave of migration has been quietly but strongly forming, known as "leaving the city for the countryside." This is no longer just aimless complaining during dead ends or romanticized trends on social media, but has become a landmark life decision for many young people.

They are willing to cast off glamorous promotion opportunities, hand in their resignation letters, and pack their bags to leave cramped cities in search of peaceful countrysides. This shift marks a profound change in the value reference system of a generation, where the definition of success and happiness is no longer strictly framed within glass skyscrapers, managerial titles, or salaries of tens of millions of dong per month.

This upstream decision stems from the persistent erosion of invisible pressures in the city. The modern urban environment, with its furious cycle of deadlines, peer pressure, and an exhausting work culture, has turned the lives of many into a tiring survival machine. Waking up every morning is a battle with traffic jams and smog, while living space is confined to suffocating rented rooms.

Furthermore, the burden of expensive living costs, from skyrocketing rent to a cup of coffee becoming a luxury, has pushed young people into an endless financial race. In that suffocating context, returning is seen as an escape to seek tranquility. Instead of continuing to be swept into the spiral of excessive consumerism, working tirelessly just to pay for items that offer temporary stress relief, they crave a purification. They want to eliminate material clutter and superficial social relationships to move towards an original, gentle rhythm of life that demands less but allows them to truly "live" instead of merely "existing."

However, the picture of "leaving the city for the countryside" is absolutely not painted only with the romantic colors of sunset-watching afternoons or lush green vegetable beds in front of the house. The reality behind this dream is often fierce, thorny, and requires more bravery than what healing films usually depict. The countryside brings fresh air and tranquility, but simultaneously strips away top-tier medical facilities, diverse educational environments, and 24/7 utility service networks. Giving up a stable office job is synonymous with facing a severe drop in income, while manual labor, farming, or self-employment demands physical endurance, management skills, and the ability to withstand the harshness of weather and the market.

Returning to the countryside is not an escape ticket for laziness or weakness, but is essentially accepting the trade-off of one type of urban pressure for an entirely different kind of survival challenge. Without thorough preparation in terms of backup finances, a solid livelihood plan, and an iron spirit to face tranquility that sometimes reaches the point of isolation, the country dream can completely and quickly shatter, turning into a massive disappointment that forces people to bitterly return to the starting line in the city.