The 'mobile home' many people dream of a Vietnamese-Japanese couple

Kana Nguyen became a daughter-in-law of a Japanese family 4 years ago. Currently, she and her husband and two daughters live in Kumamoto city. Kana's family shares a passion for traveling and every weekend, the whole family gets on a special car to explore all over Japan.

Kana’s older child is now over two years old, while the younger one is only nine months old. The older daughter has been accompanying her parents on every weekend picnic since she was five months old, while the younger one started at six months old.

Kana and her husband let their children roam around from an early age, partly because they wanted them to adapt to an environment where they did not have to do everything themselves; and partly to give their children the opportunity to play with friends and learn how to behave.

"In Japan, picnic spots all have areas for children to play. Here, children will interact with many friends and learn to give in, come later, play later; older children give way to younger children, there is no fighting," Kana said.

Passionate about traveling, Kana and her husband invested in a camping car when she was pregnant with their second child to be more proactive in each trip. The car is like a mobile home, equipped with shelves, kitchen, bathroom, toilet, TV, sofa, table, air conditioner, two 140x200 beds. The back of the car has a compartment for outdoor picnic equipment, BBQ tools, tables, chairs, toys...

Kana’s husband also installed some amenities and lighting equipment for the car. Since having the camping car, her family hardly spends money on hotels.

Each of Kana’s family picnics lasts about 2-3 days, starting on Friday afternoon and returning on Sunday. Before each trip, Kana usually prepares meat, vegetables, spices for BBQ or hot pot in the cold season; and some cakes and fruits to nibble on.

During the week, Kana and her husband are busy with their own work. When they go on a picnic, they do everything together and feel warmer and closer.

According to Kana, the car has all the necessary equipment so her family can stop anywhere to sightsee, rest or spend the night.

"The two children love going on picnics with their parents. Whenever they see their father staying home, they ask him to drive the camping car to camp. When they arrive, they want to get out of the car to look at the scenery, and then say how beautiful this is, how interesting that is," Kana said. "This year, my family only goes on a trip in the fall and we don't get to go out much because we mainly go on holidays or leisurely weekends."

The toilet is neatly designed in a corner of the car.

Bathroom on the car.