Burnt-Out Tech CEO Takes 4-Day Vietnam Vacation, Never Comes Home, and Pays Crew to Trash Everything He Owned
A burnt-out tech entrepreneur who booked a quick four-night getaway to Southeast Asia has stunned onlookers after revealing he completely abandoned his life back home, signed a long-term lease in Vietnam, and hired a disposal crew to trash an entire apartment full of belongings.
After six years of grinding on a failing tech company in Seoul, South Korea, the founder reached a breaking point when his last remaining employee quit. Desperate for a short break, he searched for a quick beach escape and booked a five-day package to Da Nang, Vietnam—a destination he admitted he knew virtually nothing about at the time.
What was meant to be a short routine of reading by the pool and lounging on the beach took an unexpected turn on his second evening. While walking down a lively street in Da Nang, he wandered into a bar hosting a international networking event for digital nomads. A chance conversation with a long-term expat introduced him to the world of remote work and border-crossing visa extensions.
Within twenty-four hours of that single conversation, the founder signed a two-month apartment lease in Da Nang, booked a temporary hotel room, and completely skipped his return flight to South Korea without requesting a refund.
Months later, he took his lifestyle overhaul to an extreme level. Wanting to cut ties with his old life entirely, he called his mother back in Seoul, asked her to unlock his apartment of ten years, and hired a junk removal service to clear out every single item. Hundreds of books, furniture, electronics, and kitchen appliances were loaded straight into a dump truck and discarded.
The radical move has sparked intense discussion among travel communities online, drawing both admiration and harsh criticism.
Supporters praised the bold career pivot, calling it an inspiring example of shedding toxic corporate stress and breaking free from rigid societal pressures. One commenter congratulated the founder on escaping burnout, noting that breaking away from hyper-competitive environments is crucial for long-term mental health.
However, critics hit back hard against the disposal of usable household goods. One commenter noted that throwing away hundreds of books and working appliances was deeply wasteful, arguing the items easily could have been donated to local charities or students. Another pointed out that flying home for a single weekend to sell or give away his belongings would have been inexpensive and far more responsible.
Despite the backlash, the former founder insists he has no regrets. He now splits his time between Da Nang and Chiang Mai, building new tech projects on his own terms while enjoying a drastically reduced stress level.
Our hosts debate whether this radical life reset is a stroke of genius or pure chaotic escapism on today's episode of Out of Office.