The inspiring story behind the photo series "Mom and Dad, where are we going next?"

When Nhân was 11 years old, his parents suddenly passed away in a traffic accident. Young Đức Nhân knew he had just lost the two most important people in his life, but he didn't fully grasp the pain at the time. Only as he grew older did the pain intensify.

Nhan lived with his aunt and uncle until the end of 12th grade, after which he was taken in by the Huong Duong Orphanage and Center for Disabled Children in Binh Duong province. His life took a new turn when he decided to defer his studies at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, began studying Japanese, and won a full scholarship to study Tourism and Hospitality in Japan. He is currently living and working there.

Due to the nature of his work, Nhân has had the opportunity to travel extensively in Japan. He realized that his success would not be complete without his parents by his side. That's why he always carries their photos with him on every trip. He believes that his parents are still watching over him.

At the age of 22, Nhan began collecting photos taken with his parents' portraits during their trips, creating an album titled "Mom and Dad, Where Are We Going Next?". To date, the collection has nearly 70 photos taken at various locations throughout Japan.

The journey of carrying my parents to heaven.

He shared that his most memorable trip was conquering Mount Fuji, which he called the journey of "carrying his parents to heaven." It was his most daring journey, lasting 15 hours. When he was nearing the summit, it was very cold and rainy. Instead of stopping at a rest stop to recover, he continued climbing to the summit because the price of accommodation was quite high and he didn't have enough money.

He spent that night alone. But no, he reassured himself that his parents were always there for him, so everything would be alright. He looked for rocky outcrops to rest and escape the cold, but that didn't seem like a good idea. After walking for a while, he found an abandoned house, went inside, and dozed off until 2 a.m., then continued his journey.

"After overcoming many difficulties, I succeeded in bringing my parents' portraits to the highest point in Japan. I will never forget this journey," Nhân said emotionally.

Nhan hopes his story will inspire many people to create meaningful and loving family trips. "As we grow older, our parents also grow older, and at some point, their image will only remain in our memories, so let's take our parents along as much as possible while we still can," he shared.

"Slow down and experience things in your own way."

Nhân is currently the Deputy Restaurant Manager at a hotel in Gunma Prefecture, Japan. He recently gained popularity on social media after sharing photos of his apartment decor and dishes that look like they belong on a "5-star" menu.

He said that everything he shared was based on his own research and pursuit of passion and interests. Since he lives alone, cooking and decorating his home are among the things that bring him joy.

During the Covid-19 outbreak in Japan, he came up with the idea and redecorated his rented room in about a week. Almost 80% of the space was changed, costing around 15 million VND. He did everything himself, from assembling to painting and decorating. Each day he focused on a different space, such as the kitchen and bedroom. Nhân shared that he usually redecorates his house every few months to create a fresh space and avoid boredom.

He dedicated a corner of his house to display photos of his travels with his parents and his academic achievements. Everything was neat and tidy, so that each day would be filled with joy and happiness for him.

TAKE SIMPLE FOOD TO 5 STARS

Besides home decor, Nhân also enjoys cooking. He is also an active member of online food groups on social media, frequently writing and sharing his recipes, which attract many viewers.

Nhan taught himself how to decorate food on plates in the style of 5-star restaurants. When he started, he consulted professional chefs, then adapted the techniques to create his own.

Nhân describes the process of cooking a dish in the Plating style, starting with defining the layout, then he goes to the market to choose the right ingredients. He prepares the dish simply and quickly. The presentation takes the most time, requiring meticulousness and creativity to ensure the dish's layout and colors are harmonious.

Nearly seven years in Japan has been incredibly difficult, not only for him but for any expatriate. However, Nhân always told himself to persevere, never give up, and believed that his future success would help many other less fortunate people, just as he had received help during his difficult times.

In the future, Nhan plans to return to Vietnam to start a business, specifically in the restaurant, hotel, and homestay sectors, as well as bring his culinary style closer to people. He hopes that the knowledge and skills he learned in Japan will help him apply and develop them in Vietnam.

Huyen Chau