In the summer of 2025 Seiwa, a 31-year-old Canadian entrepreneur working in Tokyo, came across the social media account of Thuy, who was working for a multinational company in the Japanese capital.

He saw that she listed three things she wanted to do that year: camp at the foot of Mount Fuji, dive in Bali and watch the northern lights in Canada.

Seeing that she shared his interest in backpacking, he reached out. “I also felt drawn to him when I saw his photos and learned he had traveled to nearly 50 countries,” Thuy, 28, says.

On their first date, Thuy dressed formally like an office worker while Seiwa wore a simple T-shirt and jeans. At the foot of Tokyo Tower, he asked her what she expected in a boyfriend. “He must be taller than 1.75 m, earn more than me have dreams and work hard to achieve them,” she replied.

She had worked to exhaustion to build her current life because she grew up poor, which contrasted with his minimalist lifestyle and a job that required him to fly around the world, she said.

So, when he suggested meeting again, she declined, saying they were not compatible.

He recalls feeling offended. “Other people who learn about my career usually want to meet again. At that moment I just thought she was arrogant and that I had to win her over.”

Seiwa began messaging and calling her daily, asking what he needed to change to be accepted. His persistence won her over and 10 days later she agreed to meet him again.

He chose a Vietnamese restaurant at her request and finished the dishes she passed to him though he did not particularly like them. “I found him very simple and sincere; he did not try to force himself to appear perfect,” she says.

As they talked, Thuy became more open and admitted to having flaws such as disliking exercise and housework. “I realized she was charming and not arrogant as I had first thought,” he says.

He then confessed his love for her on several occasions but was met with rejection each time. “I felt insecure about my background,” she explains.

Seiwa was born into a wealthy family in Canada and started his own company at 25. Thuy grew up in a rural Vietnamese province, where her parents were farmers.

After getting a scholarship, she studied and then worked in Japan, eventually becoming a manager and sending money home to her parents.

After learning about her background, Seiwa followed her to Vietnam later that year. At her family’s home, he practiced eating Vietnamese food and helped feed pigs. “I love you, not your background,” he said.

Canadian guy changes his life’s path because of his love for a Vietnamese girl/ Canadian businessman changes his path

When the couple returned to Japan, Seiwa became busy with long business trips across Europe. When Thuy asked about their future, he replied: “Let’s keep dating for now. We’ll figure things out in a few years.”

The answer prompted Thuy to end the relationship.

She then revealed her biggest secret to him: In 2021 she had discovered a tumor in her brain and so worked hard to earn money and support her parents as if each day were her last. “My time is very precious. If you cannot make me a priority, please step out of my life.”

He says: “I realized I could travel the world and achieve many things but without her beside me, none of it would mean anything,”

The next morning he gave her a sheet of paper filled with plans for the future, from reorganizing his company and caring for her daily to plans for marriage.

Thuy and Seiwa during a trip to Hoi An in 2025. Photo from Instagram/@Jannievsseiwa

After that he went on fewer business trips and spent most of his time in Tokyo.

He cooked, handled housework and exercised with Thuy. He also encouraged her to worry less about earning money and learn to enjoy life.

Thuy says with him by her side, she now wants to travel more, see more of the world and build a life together.