On today’s vibrant social media landscape, content ranges from uplifting and healing to emotionally harmful. Among these waves, the trend of “leaving the city for the countryside” has evolved beyond lifestyle choice into a creative aesthetic.

The silent influence of China’s Liziqi looms large over this movement, shaping rural video content with poetic visuals and serene storytelling. But in Vietnam, many creators have focused more on mimicking her surface style than embracing the soul of her craft.

From rustic rhythms to cinematic frames

Born in 1990 in Sichuan, China, Liziqi is dubbed the “rural fairy” thanks to her enchanting videos that capture pastoral life in dreamlike visuals. With nearly 70 million followers across platforms like YouTube and Weibo, her success lies not only in showcasing idyllic rural scenes, but also in her ability to craft silent yet emotionally rich narratives through visuals and sound.

Her content involves more than just cooking in a garden; she plants, harvests, processes, and prepares with intention and flow. The ambient sounds of rustling leaves, trickling water, and crackling wood blend into a tranquil cinematic soundtrack, immersing viewers in her world.

Each frame is meticulously composed by a professional team. Natural lighting, thoughtful compositions, and a soft, earthy color palette elevate her videos to visual poetry. Her storytelling transforms the countryside from a place of toil into a space of calm and healing.

Vietnamese renditions: Echoing form, missing essence

In Vietnam, it's easy to find channels replicating Liziqi’s format - cooking outdoors in traditional outfits, using wood-fired stoves, and mimicking her filming angles. One such channel, Bep Tren Dinh Doi (Kitchen on the Hill), was accused of copying Liziqi’s content nearly frame by frame, including props, color tones, and supporting characters.

Tam An, the creator behind the channel, often films in Vietnam’s northern highlands, producing vegetarian cooking videos. One video on making wind-dried persimmons was criticized for mirroring over 90% of a Liziqi video and has since been taken down.

But resemblance doesn’t equal resonance. Many imitation videos are criticized for lacking emotional or cultural depth. They’re beautiful but feel empty - no clear story, no reason for the dish, no one eating the food. These feel like productions staged for the camera, not reflections of real life.

As the trend grows, many rural-style content creators have emerged, such as Ut Ve Vuon, Thon Nu Official, and Khoi Lam Chieu.

The latter stands out with 532,000 subscribers drawn to its sincere portrayal of life in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Despite varying styles, most share the same goal: to evoke nostalgia and the peaceful beauty of rural life. However, few manage to match Liziqi’s storytelling depth and cultural grounding.

Vietnamese stories told in a Vietnamese way

Liziqi's power lies in authentic storytelling - something Vietnam doesn’t lack, provided the creators draw from their own roots. When done right, there's no need to copy anyone to make a lasting impression.

Take Lao Nong Vlog (Old Farmer Vlog), a channel run by Nguyen Van Phong and his son Nguyen Van Luu. Their videos, filmed without scripts or special effects, document everyday countryside meals - simple, honest, and evocative.

Dishes like rice with dried fish, stir-fried bamboo shoots, and crab soup capture a flavor that’s more than culinary. In 2024, the channel won a promising digital creator award at the Vietnam Creators Awards (VCA).

Similarly, Am Thuc Me Lam (Mom’s Cooking) gained widespread recognition with a video showing a mother preparing traditional dishes for Lunar New Year. Featured by YouTube’s official fanpage, the video reached 2.8 million views and received praise from international viewers.

The channel, launched in 2019, evokes deep nostalgia through its rustic settings, family meals, and humble ingredients.

Beyond food and nature, social media in Vietnam is also home to inspiring creators like May Podcast (gentle reflections), An Gi Kho Co Quan Lo (meals for the underprivileged), and An Den (stories of simplicity and peace). These creators offer authentic content rooted in real lives and heartfelt values.

Their work proves that authenticity trumps imitation. Each dish has a reason. Each shot holds emotion. These aren’t just performances - they’re lived experiences. And that’s the soul no imitation can replicate.

Ha Thuong