Lifestyle shifts: Rental home renovations in China and cultural revival in Vietnam

In China, a growing trend of rental home renovation is emerging among young professionals in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. As home ownership becomes increasingly difficult to achieve, many are choosing to invest significant sums into customizing their rented spaces. One individual, Emily, reported spending approximately 30,000 NDT to transform her rental in Shanghai, which included structural changes such as removing walls, replacing windows with double-paned glass, and upgrading electrical and plumbing systems.

In Vietnam, Ká Tuyền, a S'tieng woman and forestry graduate, has returned to the Tà Lài forest area near Cat Tien National Park to revitalize traditional livelihoods. After leaving a stable urban job, she is working to restore traditional weaving practices and develop community-based tourism. Her efforts aim to provide sustainable income for her village while preserving the cultural heritage and natural environment of the S'tieng people.