25 years as a single mother

Online users have praised the couple’s carefully arranged wedding, which followed all customary procedures and rituals. Despite being in their later years, the couple enjoyed a full and heartfelt happiness in the presence of their children and relatives from both sides.

“Everyone deserves happiness at any age, what matters is whether we dare to open our hearts”; “Just looking at how the groom cherishes the bride shows how deeply they love each other”; “Such a touching wedding, this mother has gone through so much and now deserves peace and joy” were among the emotional comments shared online.

The bride is Pham Nhung (born in 1965, HCMC), while the groom is Tran Thong, an overseas Vietnamese living in the US, who is 10 years older than her. Their wedding was held on January 28–29.

Before opening her heart to new happiness at the age of 61, Nhung had spent 25 years as a single mother. Her first marriage ended in 2000, after which she raised three children (two sons and one daughter) on her own.

During those years, out of love for her children and a desire to give them complete maternal care, Nhung did not seek personal happiness. Only when her eldest son had settled down and her other two children had stable jobs did she begin to think about finding a reliable partner to lean on.

“My children encouraged me a lot. They work far from home and felt sorry seeing me alone, so they told me: ‘Mom, you should get married. Only when you are happy can we truly be happy,’” Nhung told VietNamNet.

“When my children were so understanding, I decided to open my heart and look for my own happiness,” she said.

Happiness in later years

In 2022, through friends’ introductions, Nhung met her current husband, who was then living and working in the US.

She admitted that she was not particularly impressed with Thong during their first conversations. However, she was touched when he returned to Vietnam and stayed for five consecutive months because of her.

“He is originally from HCMC. During that time, he came back to visit relatives and then visited my home every day. Through simple conversations, we realized we were quite compatible,” Nhung recalled.

The relationship of the older couple was not as intense or passionate as that of younger people, but it was thoughtful and profound. They rarely discussed love, instead sharing views on raising children, maintaining health, and interacting with others.

Thong’s calm and polite demeanor made Nhung feel secure by his side. In return, her cheerful personality, diligence, and thoughtfulness made him love her even more.

“The first time he returned to Vietnam, he stayed for five months. The second time, six months. And the third time was recently, when he came back to marry me,” Nhung said with a smile.

Nhung's relationship received enthusiastic support from her children. Meanwhile, Thong's three daughters from a previous marriage expressed concerns to their father: "We see that she is so beautiful. Is she being sincere with you?" Later, when they had the chance to meet Nhung, they completely changed their minds.

"My husband's children apologized to me and gave me a bouquet of flowers. I was very moved because, truly, it is only natural for children to think carefully about their parents' happiness," Nhung said.

Supported by their children, the couple decided to get married and officially move in together. Loving their parents for being alone for many years, the children organized a meticulous wedding with all the steps: the formal meeting, the engagement ceremony, and the wedding ceremony.

The wedding ceremony was held at Nhung’s private home, while the party took place at a restaurant. Nhung described it as an unforgettable wedding, attended by relatives, close friends, and especially witnessed by their children.

“The most memorable moment for me was when my best friend led me to the ancestral altar ceremony. Normally, my daughter would have done that, but she was too emotional and cried so much that someone else had to help,” Nhung shared.

The wedding also featured a bouquet toss, with the bouquet caught by Nhung’s close friends from her dance club. In every moment, she felt complete happiness through the care and love of those around her.

Currently, Nhung continues to live in HCMC, while her husband travels between Vietnam and the US.

Ha Nguyen