In a small hamlet in Cat Ngan commune, Bay, 88, and Minh, 85, have unexpectedly become “famous” through their TikTok channel ‘Kitchen with Grandpa’, capturing their meals and daily life.

The idea of setting up the channel appeared in 2023 when Tien, their granddaughter, born in 2001, wanted to record their everyday moments, from picking vegetables in the garden, lighting the wood stove, to cooking freshly caught fish, and sharing family meals.

With no scripts or staging, everything is filmed with Tien’s phone. Initially meant to preserve memories, the videos quickly gained thousands of likes and praising comments when posted online.

Seeing the love for her grandparents, Tien has kept filming. Images of their garden, smoky little kitchen, and simple “homegrown” meals evoke a peaceful, warm sense of rural life for viewers.

“I love fishing, while she (Grandma) loves gardening. Most of the food on our dining table comes from fish caught in the pond and vegetables grown in the garden. Our children and grandchildren nearby often bring food over. The meals I cook just have the homegrown dishes I make for her daily,” Bay said.

When their granddaughter told them their cooking videos were well-received and praised online, the couple was surprised and overjoyed.

“They’re old in age but young at heart. Knowing they’re filmed and shared online makes Grandpa so happy,” Tien said.

Each video takes Tien about two hours to shoot and edit. Her grandparents work together, thrilled to see themselves online. Over time, the TikTok channel gained popularity, becoming a bridge for them to share their joy of living.

After filming, the meals in the videos become their actual dinner: they are simple but filled with Bay’s love for Minh, carrying the rustic charm of village life to those far from home.

The channel’s fame has been growing, leading to an invitation to the “Hundred Years of Love” TV show, where they shared their marriage and family life.

“That was my most memorable moment because it was the first time my wife and I traveled so far, appeared on TV, and met a famous MC. It was so joyful, so exciting, like we were 10 years younger!” Bay said with a laugh.

The long marriage

Despite their children’s offers to live together, the couple prefers their own home, caring for each other. They wake at 5am, exercise, and chat with neighbors. Sometimes Bay collects firewood, despite family protests, saying idleness makes his hands and feet restless, so he gathers dry branches to stay busy.

Bay and Minh married in 1958 and have three sons and three daughters. After 67 years together, they still care for each other. Their children look after them, wishing for their daily health and happiness.

At 85, Minh remains sharp, adeptly using a phone to read comments and watch videos. “I’m so happy. I never imagined my granddaughter would make such meaningful videos for us,” she said.

Since gaining attention, neighbors frequently visit and check in. They joke that Bay has become an ‘idol’. Once, during a week-long hospital stay that paused filming, Bay anxiously asked his granddaughter when he could “go live” again, eager to recover.

Bay said he tears up reading the loving comments Tien shows to him. Messages wishing them health and happiness motivate them to keep filming.

Since starting TikTok, the couple has grown even closer. “The presence of Grandpa and Grandma in each video is proof of their lifelong companionship.”

At 88, Bay remains healthy and cheerful. His secret? “Eat well-cooked food, drink boiled water, sleep regularly, exercise every morning, and above all, stay optimistic.” Minh credits their granddaughter for giving them a “spiritual tonic,” making each day joyful and vibrant.

In their small village, their laughter echoes daily. After years together without a single argument, their happiness is as simple as a countryside meal, warm and enduring, now shared with millions. Happiness, sometimes, is simply having someone to share life’s moments and journey through the years together.

Tu Linh