A video of a 97-year-old man guiding his 94-year-old wife by the hand has touched millions, capturing a love story that has lasted nearly 70 years.
A simple act of holding hands in their twilight years has deeply moved the online community. At 97 and 94 years old, a couple in Ca Mau still walk side by side, supporting each other just as they did nearly 70 years ago when they first got married.
A tender grip in old age
A 26-second video capturing a stooped elderly man walking with a cane while gently leading his wife has gone viral on TikTok, amassing nearly 400,000 views and over 24,000 likes within days. The firm grip of their hands and their slow, careful steps, taken with fading vision and unsteady legs, left viewers touched by the enduring love between the two.
Viewers left emotional comments: “This is what they mean by ‘Loving each other until our hair turns gray’”; “The love of our grandparents’ generation is truly beautiful. That hand-holding in old age is built on decades of sincere love”; “I wish for a companion like this in my golden years, with a peaceful and warm life.”
Speaking to VietNamNet, Le Huynh Nhu (born in 2005, from Tri Phai Commune, Ca Mau Province) shared that the clip was taken from her family’s security camera on September 7. Admiring her grandparents’ deep affection, she uploaded the clip to TikTok to preserve the memory.
A lifetime of complete devotion
Mr. Khai and Mrs. Dung have shared nearly seven decades of marriage.
The couple in the video are Nhu’s maternal grandparents: Mr. Tran Van Khai (97 years old) and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dung (94 years old). They have been together as husband and wife for nearly 70 years.
They have nine children (four sons and five daughters) and currently live with their youngest daughter - Nhu’s mother. Regardless of distance, their children frequently visit and care for them.
“There are seven members in our household, including my grandparents, parents, and three siblings. My mother was born and raised in this house, and after getting married, she stayed to care for her parents. My father has lived here for nearly 50 years as a devoted son-in-law,” Nhu explained.
She shared that the scene in the video is something she witnesses daily. Her grandparents consistently show affection and look after each other. Her grandfather always keeps an eye on her grandmother, searching for her whenever she’s out of sight.
“That day, Grandpa didn’t see Grandma in their room, so he went downstairs to look for her. He found her sitting on the hammock and gently took her hand to guide her back upstairs. I was fortunate to witness and capture that beautiful moment,” Nhu said.
Mr. Khai lovingly cares for his wife.
Nhu revealed that her grandparents met during hard times - times of war, poverty, and struggle. They endured harsh conditions together, from bombs to hunger, and worked tirelessly to feed and raise their children. Despite all the hardships, they remained devoted to each other.
She recalled her grandfather once saying that their shared struggles only deepened his love and appreciation for his wife in old age. “They sleep in the same room, each with a separate bed placed side by side. It’s been that way for decades and hasn’t changed,” she said.
“Every morning, Grandpa wakes up first and prepares warm water for Grandma to wash her hands and face. He then reminds the family to bring her medication. At every meal, the first thing he says is, ‘Who’s serving food for Grandma?’” Nhu shared.
Huynh Nhu (in red) with her grandparents and parents.
At 97, Mr. Khai remains strong, lucid, and able to care for himself. Meanwhile, Mrs. Dung has become more frail after a serious illness in 2024. Whenever she suffers from aches or minor ailments, her husband becomes visibly concerned.
“Last year, when Grandma was bedridden due to illness, Grandpa stayed by her side every day, massaging her arms and legs and whispering to her. Even when she was irritable, he doted on her like a child,” Nhu recalled.
“There was a time I overheard him say to her, ‘To have you by my side at this age is the greatest blessing of my life.’ That moment made me admire their love even more,” she added.
The couple, now in their late 90s, with their children and grandchildren. Photos: Provided by the family
Today, Mr. and Mrs. Khai have 120 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Every Lunar New Year, the whole family gathers to celebrate and wish them longevity. Their gentle nature and unconditional love have earned them deep respect from all generations.
“I was raised in the loving care of my grandparents. Now, I want to be their hands and feet - to guide them gently as they once guided me. Living under the same roof, taking care of them, and witnessing their devotion is the greatest blessing of my life,” Nhu shared.
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