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Integrating Through Vietnamese

In Viet Nam, Kaneya Manabu chose the Vietnamese name Hoc, because “Manabu” means “to learn,” which also reflects his life philosophy.

Born in Saitama to a father who was a police officer and a mother who worked in an office, Kaneya Manabu studied criminal science and worked in the division investigating cases related to Vietnamese citizens. The work was stressful, the sleep was short, and he admitted: “This was not the life I dreamed of.”

Kaneya Manabu, a former Japanese police officer, has fallen in love with Viet Nam.

In 2010, he came to Ho Chi Minh City to study Vietnamese for work requirements. From the very first visit, he was impressed by the gentle and welcoming Vietnamese people, who always greeted him with a smile. One year later, he returned to test his Vietnamese speaking skills and learn more about Vietnamese culture.

“When I came to this country, I was truly surprised because everyone I met was kind and always smiling. Life in Ho Chi Minh City felt comfortable and relaxing, completely different from Japan, where I always had to follow many rules and endure work pressure,” he said.

In 2014, Manabu joined a two-month Vietnamese language refresher course at Ha Noi University of Science and Technology. This time, he slowed down, interacted more with Vietnamese people, and grew increasingly fond of the country.

Although he thought that “the best choice was to move to Viet Nam long term,” he continued working for two more years in Saitama to avoid being irresponsible. In 2016, while serving as a department chief, he resigned. His family opposed the decision; his father said, “Think it over,” and some of his superiors called him a “traitor.” But Manabu still chose Hanoi.

Through friends’ recommendations, he rented a house in Hanoi and applied for jobs. In the first months, his salary only covered rent, so he lived off the savings he had accumulated over 10 years. He opened a tech company and a Japanese language center, but neither survived.

During his first three years, besides working, Manabu studied advanced Vietnamese and pursued a master’s degree in Vietnamese Studies at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU Ha Noi). In 2020, he received his master’s degree. Today, he can confidently communicate in Vietnamese.

Kaneya Manabu received his master’s degree in Vietnamese Studies in July 2020.

Manabu’s day begins at 5:30 a.m. with exercise, breakfast, and arriving at the office an hour early to read and study Vietnamese. In the evening, he takes walks, exercises, films YouTube videos, and ends his day at 10 p.m. On weekends, he only goes out if friends invite him. Because of his busy schedule, he has not had time to look for love or start a family.

Gradually, he learned to ride a motorbike proficiently, traveled across many provinces, became familiar with street food, and made friends. His colleagues remarked: “He understands Viet Nam like a Vietnamese person.”

He also keeps up with public security news in local media, listens to Vietnamese music, and translates songs to improve his skills. When he had studied Vietnamese for only six months, he tried translating the Declaration of Independence to learn vocabulary and better understand President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese history. Later, he made videos discussing studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s teachings.

Since 2019, Manabu has run the YouTube channel HocTV, where he shares Vietnamese culture, cuisine, experiences, and teaches Japanese to Vietnamese learners. At first the videos had only a few dozen views, but the channel now has 114,000 subscribers. He has documented trips to West Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, and more.

Most of his videos are in Vietnamese, showcasing culture and cuisine, and explaining why he cannot leave this country. He wants to promote Viet Nam to Japanese friends and Japanese people interested in Viet Nam.

Thanks to the Vietnamese language, Manabu not only integrated into the society but also found a way to connect the two countries. From learning Vietnamese for work, he gradually became someone who spread the language to Japanese audiences through videos about Vietnamese culture, daily life, and language. For him, Vietnamese is now a bridge through which he tells Viet Nam’s story in the most sincere and heartfelt way.

His videos receive many comments: “Thank you for loving Viet Nam and wanting to live long term in our beautiful country”; “You speak Vietnamese very well. Your voice is emotional and sincere…”

The Charm of Viet Nam

After nine years in Viet Nam, Manabu has developed the habit of riding around the city on April 30 and September 2 to admire the national flags lining the streets. In 2025, the 80th anniversary of National Day, his emotions were even stronger as he witnessed people wearing ao dai and conical hats, hanging national flags, taking photos at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and thousands cheering as armed forces rehearsed. He also visited the Viet Nam Military History Museum, experienced virtual reality at the “Returning to the Sacred Moment” exhibition, and learned more Vietnamese through song lyrics to attend the “national concert.”

Videos on Kaneya Manabu’s YouTube channel, HocTV.

In a video posted on HocTV, Kaneya Manabu shared: “I have not been able to return to Japan. I feel a deep love for life in Viet Nam.”

The video captured his first trip to Ta Xua in Son La, where clouds blended with mountains. Before the vast natural landscape, he explained why he did not want to return to Japan: the three things that make Viet Nam most appealing to him are friendly people, strong family bonds, and diverse cuisine.

“Vietnamese people always start conversations with a warm smile and are always willing to help me. In Japan, that doesn’t happen often… The culture of valuing family is the strongest aspect. Eating together, sharing everything, calling each other every day when apart. I think that culture is truly full of happiness,” he said.

Vietnamese cuisine has also captivated him: “Pho and banh mi are delicious dishes that you can get addicted to… I especially love pho, banh xeo, bun cha, and hotpot. Now I want to eat them every day.”

Kaneya Manabu during a trip to Sapa, Lao Cai.

He also recalled his early days in Viet Nam, when his Vietnamese was limited and daily tasks were unfamiliar: “One day, when I asked my landlord ‘I want a fan, where can I buy one?’, he smiled and said: ‘Get on the bike, I’ll go buy it with you.’ For Vietnamese people that might be small, but for me, it was an unforgettable memory.”

Every year, Manabu returns to Japan twice to visit his parents. Seeing how happy he is, his family no longer objects to him living abroad; they even urge him to find a Vietnamese bride to introduce to them.

“I left the police force and started a new life in Viet Nam. I love Viet Nam very much and, if possible, want to live here forever,” Manabu shared.

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