The theory of place identity provides a valuable framework for examining the evolving identities of places throughout history. By exploring the intricate relationship between people and place, we gain a deeper understanding of how identities are shaped by both historical forces and human choices. The article aims to analyze the “shaping” of City and Young People’s Identity in the novels Gần như là sống (Almost Living) by Đỗ Phấn and If We Dream Too Long by Goh Poh Seng. Although these works were written more than 40 years apart, readers can still find common ground in the identity of young people as they navigate the influence of urban space (city), while also recognizing the unique national identities of Singapore in the 1960s and Vietnam in the early twenty-first century. Drawing on previous research, this article will focus on specific aspects of how youth identity is portrayed in novels about the city: (1) the depiction of urban space; (2) character development; and (3) the narration of memories. Examining the meaning of youth-city place identity, as depicted in these two novels, not only highlights the similarities and differences between Singapore and Vietnam but also contributes to a broader understanding of how young people, in particular, and these two nations, in general, navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by urbanization.