A "whirlwind" romance at 41

Tran Thi Ha, born 1984, originally from Dong Nai, currently living and working in HCMC had faced many "missed appointments" with marriage. Despite having dated several people, she never felt the sense of security needed to tie the knot.

At 41, Ha met Paul Drake, born 1967, an American citizen. Although their journey from meeting to loving and marrying was swift, she believes she met the right person at the right time.

Paul married once before and has two children. His first wife passed away after a long illness. In May 2025, Paul traveled to Vietnam seeking peace after his losses. While walking past a coffee shop in HCMC where Ha worked, she invited him in for a drink.

"The meeting was brief but quite interesting. I was surprised by how patiently this woman explained Vietnamese culture to me. I felt truly welcome here," Paul shared.

Meanwhile, Ha wasn't initially impressed by the foreigner. Standing at 1.5m, Paul’s nearly 2-meter stature wasn't exactly her type. Her only impression at the time was his gentle face and the sadness in his eyes.

To her surprise, Paul frequently returned to the shop in the following days and even invited her to a private dinner. Ha realized he was trying to get to know her better.

What she didn't know was that Paul was experiencing an internal struggle. He confessed: "I hesitated because I knew if I saw her again, my feelings would grow, yet we lived so far apart. However, I gathered the courage to follow my heart. Being with her felt natural and peaceful and it stayed with me long after."

Paul returned to the US after 14 days in Vietnam. Despite being half a world away, he kept in constant contact with Ha. Just over a month later, overcome by his longing for the "tiny woman," he decided to fly back to Vietnam.

"I was so happy that he came back for me. Our feelings developed rapidly from then on. We traveled to Bali together. He took care of the smallest details for me. I love how he shows that in his eyes, I am the only one," Ha recalled.

After the trip, they were separated again, but by then, both had confirmed their feelings. Without a single grand romantic confession, they officially became a couple.

In-laws remodel their home for the groom

In August 2025, Paul returned to Vietnam. This time, he and Ha registered their marriage and held an engagement ceremony in her hometown in Dong Nai.

"I spoke with his mother and children via video call. His mother is very kind and supportive of our relationship. His children were a bit confused at first, but they eventually gave their father their blessings," Ha said.

Ha’s parents fully supported their daughter's choice. To them, geographic distance and age gaps mattered far less than their child's happiness. During his first visit, despite the language barrier, Paul felt the deep warmth and affection Ha’s family had for him.

Ha carefully explained Vietnamese wedding customs to Paul, from engagement trays and gifts to ancestral ceremonies and family introductions.

Paul found everything fascinating and respected all the traditions, though he sometimes felt overwhelmed by how much needed to be prepared.

During the engagement ceremony, the couple performed the ancestral ritual together and expressed gratitude to their families. The ceremony was both sacred and joyful, leaving Paul with unforgettable experiences.

Ha said her love and marriage have many interesting moments.

At 1.5 meters tall with a petite figure, she always feels small next to her husband. Paul can easily lift her with one hand, and sometimes even places her on his shoulders and walks around playfully.

“Even when I wear high heels or stand on tiptoe, I only reach his shoulder. When we kiss, he has to bend down very far because I cannot reach. Being with him makes me feel smaller and very peaceful,” Ha shared.

When their daughter got married, Ha’s parents decided to renovate their house in the countryside, partly to make it more presentable and partly to accommodate their nearly 2-meter-tall son-in-law.

“My parents adjusted the staircase so he would not hit his head, and the washbasin was raised so he could use it more comfortably. Paul was deeply moved by how thoughtfully my parents considered his needs,” Ha said.

Thanh Minh