Building Our Airbnb Story: A Journey of Struggle, Family, and Quiet Resilience

When guests walk into one of our apartments today, they usually notice the calm atmosphere, the soft lighting, the little touches meant to make them feel at home. What they don’t see is the road we took to get here—the failures, the fears, and the stubborn hope that kept us moving.

Before I began hosting, I had spent over ten years in Hospitality and Tourism. I loved the industry, but it hadn’t always been kind to me. I went through painful partnership breakups. I poured everything into building an online travel website—only to launch it right as COVID hit. It was like watching something you nurtured collapse overnight.

And then came my mom.

She was about to retire with no social security, no house, no savings. When she invited me to consider hosting guests, it wasn’t just a business idea. It was a lifeline—for her future and mine. In that moment, I promised myself I would build something stable, something dignified, something that could carry us through the next chapter of our lives.

Starting from Zero, With a Baby on My Hip

The early days were far from glamorous.
I lived in Ho Chi Minh City, but the properties were in Hanoi—my hometown. Every site visit, every renovation discussion, every investor meeting… I did it with a newborn baby in my arms. I still remember nursing my child in the hallway of a dusty building between contractor meetings. It was exhausting, overwhelming, and strangely motivating. When life gives you a small human to protect, your courage grows faster than your fear.

Renovation phase

My mom feeding my daughter during the renovation of The Urban Westlake Apartment

The Pain of Harsh Words

Most guests appreciated our effort. They felt the care we put into every detail. But a few harsh reviews crushed us more than we expected. When you’re pouring your entire heart into something, criticism sits heavy. There were nights I lay awake wondering if we had chosen the wrong path. But every challenge strengthened our backbone. We kept going because we had to.

A First Property With a Not-So-Lucky Beginning

On the exact day we welcomed our first guests, a massive construction site opened right next door.
No warning.
No timeline.
And it lasted 1.5 years.

We apologized endlessly. We compensated. We upgraded. We held on.

And today?
That same building is one of our quietest and most loved properties. Life has a way of testing you before it rewards you.

Goodwill, Kindness, and Unexpected Doors

Our second property came from a complicated leasing situation. But the landlord believed in us and gave us a chance to manage their whole building. That trust changed everything.

The third property came through goodwill—as people say, “tiếng lành đồn xa.” When you work with sincerity, word travels quietly but powerfully.

And in October 2025, we finally took a deep breath and expanded to Ho Chi Minh City—my current home. That milestone felt like coming full circle.

To Our Dear Guests: You Are Part of This Story

Every booking, every kind message, every review that encouraged us—it all mattered more than you think. You weren’t just choosing a room. You were supporting a mother and daughter trying to build a future with dignity and heart.

Your stays helped my mom find security.
They helped me rebuild after failure.
They helped us create a small team, a small community, a small dream that now feels real.

Our Journey Has Just Begun

This blog post is not a victory speech. It’s a moment of reflection. A quiet pause to say:

Thank you—for believing in us when this business was still fragile.
Thank you for choosing a small family-run stay in a big competitive city.
Thank you for letting our story become part of your travels.

We look forward to growing, improving, and welcoming you with even more heart.
Our story is still being written, and we’re grateful to have you with us on this journey.