On a late June morning, 50-year-old Nguyen Thi Kim Trinh woke up to the cool weather of Da Lat. She had just picked mushrooms in the pine forest yesterday, so her only plan for today was to enjoy coffee at home and admire the view. She has been staying in this "land of pines" for two months. "I certainly won't be here long, but I don't know where my next stop will be," Kim Trinh said.

In August 2024, while working as an interpreter for a Japanese engineering corporation, she requested a one-month leave to travel to Europe, but her request was denied. She then submitted her resignation and retired.

"Actually, I retired only two years earlier than planned," she stated. Before that, Trinh realized it would be a mistake to spend her most energetic years accumulating wealth only to retire and enjoy life when her health might no longer permit it. She set a goal to leave the workforce sooner.

Kim Trinh, 50, cloud hunting in Cau Dat, Da Lat in May. *Photo: Provided by subject*

A minimalist lifestyle

Since 2015, Trinh had been adjusting her lifestyle to prepare financially. She stopped shopping, decluttered her wardrobe, and prioritized cooking at home. Owning a house in Thu Duc City meant she had no rent expenses, keeping her monthly living costs below 5 million VND for many years. She also minimized social relationships, limiting parties and casual gatherings.

The 48-year-old woman divided her finances into three funds: a living expense reserve for 10 years (from retirement until she officially receives her pension) of approximately 150-200 million VND per year, a one billion VND travel fund, and a medical emergency savings account. With 19 years of social insurance contributions based on her full salary, she calculated that she would receive a pension of more than 50% when she reached the legal age, creating a financial safety net for her old age.

Currently, income from renting out her house in Thu Duc City helps cover her accommodation costs while traveling, supplemented by earnings from her personal YouTube channel. "Although my sudden retirement resulted in a two-year income deficit, my life has not been affected because I prepared early," she said.

A journey of constant movement

Before retiring, Trinh and a group of friends had planned to buy land and establish a village near Da Lat for their golden years, but the plan fell through. She decided that during her healthy years, she would embrace a nomadic lifestyle with one principle: go where the season is most beautiful.

After leaving her job, she embarked on a four-month trip through five European countries, followed by Turkey, Morocco, and Laos. Upon returning to Vietnam, she continued to apply her principle: travel to where the season is most beautiful.

She celebrated Tet in Phu Quoc, staying for 45 days in Da Nang and Hoi An. Afterward, she bought a motorbike and undertook a nine-month solo journey across the central provinces to the Northeast and Northwest regions.

Trinh in Phu Quoc in March. *Photo: Provided by subject*

The journey brought her many unexpected experiences. On her way from Pu Luong, Thanh Hoa to Moc Chau, Son La, she was captivated by the beautiful landscapes of the plum-picking season valleys in Van Ho, prompting her to change her plans and stay longer. In Sa Pa, she stayed for 45 days across six homestays, spending most of her time walking and living at a slower pace.

The nomadic journey also included heart-stopping moments. She once rode 120 km along a border road with no houses or phone signal, from Chi Ma border gate, Lang Son to Hoanh Mo, Quang Ninh. "The road wasn't on the map, and there was no one to ask for directions," she recounted. It took dozens of kilometers before she encountered a border guard station that guided her back to a residential area.

Her travels also led to inspiring encounters. On O Quy Ho Pass, Lao Cai, she met a woman nearing 60 who was cycling uphill. This woman had been a full-time homemaker and only began to discover herself in her later years. "The more I travel, the more I realize how beautiful and vast life is. Challenging roads and unexpected encounters make me feel freer," Trinh shared.

After completing her cross-Vietnam trip, she flew to TP HCM for Tet, then traveled to the Mekong Delta, returned to Phu Quoc, and is currently in Da Lat.

The cost of this lifestyle varies depending on the destination. Last year, she spent 6 million VND per month in Phu Quoc. This year, the cost increased to 20 million VND per month as she opted for more premium services. "I keep my total annual living expenses at 200 million VND," she said.

A series of photos from Kim Trinh's nine-month journey across Vietnam.

Kim Trinh in Hoi An in April 2025 before starting her backpacking trip from there to central and northern Vietnam.

In Pu Luong, Thanh Hoa in summer 2025.

Picking plums in Moc Chau.

She spent 45 days, staying in six homestays in Da Lat.

She enjoyed the majestic scenery in Nam Hong, Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang.

The 50-year-old woman after driving over the 15-tier Khau Coc Cha Pass in Cao Bang.

Kim stayed in a village of the Nung An ethnic group in Trung Khanh, Cao Bang.

She was in Mau Son, Lang Son.

Knowing when you have enough is happiness

Throughout her journey, Trinh recorded everyday moments and posted them on her YouTube channel. The channel currently features more than 800 videos, becoming a platform for connecting with many middle-aged people in Vietnam and overseas Vietnamese who are considering returning to their homeland.

Michael, who has lived in the US for nearly 50 years, expressed admiration for Kim's courage and independence. "What's great about Kim is her clear understanding of money's allure; the more you have, the more it pulls you into an endless cycle," he said.

Many others expressed that they earn 30-50 million VND per month and are exhausted by work pressure but lack the courage to break free from that cycle like Kim.

In mid-March, she declined a translation project offering 45 million VND per month. She stated that her current priorities are her health and well-being. "No amount of money is enough for someone who doesn't know when they have enough," she said.

Having traveled through 34 provinces and cities and 29 countries over the past two years, the 50-year-old woman reported that her inner self is now completely balanced. She focuses on healthy eating and listening to her body. Even when facing future health risks, she is mentally prepared to accept them.

From Da Lat, she plans to travel to Nepal in September, staying at the foot of the Himalayas for about six weeks, before continuing to India with a one-way ticket and no set return date.

Video of Kim Trinh sharing about nearly two years of retirement and travel. *Source: YouTube: Kimkim song trai nghiem*

Phan Duong