Recently, I have heard people say that if your parents give you a house in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, you already have a 50% chance of succeeding in life. With two houses, that chance rises to 75%, and with three or more, you are set for life.
At first glance, this comment seems accurate, but from my personal experience, reality is far more complex.
My family in HCMC’s Thu Duc City owns several houses and plots of land. Thanks to this, I do not have to worry about renting or saving up for a home. However, this has also made me the subject of gossip among friends and colleagues.
Some remarks I have heard since starting my current job include: “You already have a house in HCMC, what more is there to strive for?” or “With a house like that, you can live comfortably on a monthly salary of just VND10 million (US$393.6).”
My colleagues used to view me as stingy when I declined outings or gatherings, assuming I was financially well-off because I did not have to pay rent. During holidays, I was often tasked with extra shifts because my house was in the city, while others traveled back to their hometowns.
In the early years, I willingly accepted this inconvenience, thinking it was just something I could do to help my colleagues. But I soon realized that my colleagues and bosses did not see it as my goodwill—they saw it as my duty.
Whenever I try to buy a valuable item with my own hard-earned money, like a motorbike or a new phone, the rumor mill churns.
A friend once told me that our mutual group was gossiping about how I must be working hard to buy a fourth or fifth house. That made me realize that, for many, my personal efforts were never acknowledged as they only saw the head start my family had given me.
Having a house certainly gives me a better starting point than many others, but that does not mean I do not have to work hard, nor does it make my life any easier.
I still face work pressures, personal financial goals, and family responsibilities. Not having to pay rent gives me a financial cushion, but everything else in life still requires effort, just like anyone else. Sadly, many people fail to understand this. They assume that owning property means I can succeed without trying.
While owning a home may be a good start, it is not the sole determinant of success or happiness. To me, it is just one small part of a long journey to defining myself.
So what is your viewpoint on this matter?
*This opinion was translated into English with the assistance of AI. Readers’ views are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’ viewpoints.
