Nguyen Xuan Hoa, born in 2001 and originally from Quang Binh (now part of Quang Tri province), leaves a lasting impression with his youthful appearance and distinctive height. At 24, he looks like a 10-year-old child and stands just 1.4 meters tall.

Hoa said his growth stopped at the age of nine. It wasn’t until middle school that he fully realized his difference, but he never let it weigh him down. Born into a farming family with modest means, he always reminded himself to persevere for a better life.

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The “tiny couple” has a resilient and passionate love.

Like any young man, Hoa dreamed of a full and beautiful love. He once dated a woman of average height, but the relationship ended quickly due to a lack of mutual understanding.

Then came Lo Thi Be from Nghe An, a girl whose "tiny" frame matched his own. That’s when he found what he calls true love.

"With her, I get to be myself and feel what it means to be soulmates," Hoa said.

They met in 2019 when Hoa was working in Laos and Be was based in Ho Chi Minh City. While browsing online, Hoa came across her photo - a petite young woman with kind eyes and a deep gaze. He added her, sent a message, and was surprised to learn she had a similar condition.

"She’s 1.3 meters tall, small in stature but mature in conversation. Our shared background made it easy to connect. We agreed to date - even though we hadn’t met," Hoa recalled.

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The couple was ready to give up many things just to be together.

Over the five years that followed, the couple never once met in person - due to thousands of kilometers of distance, the COVID-19 pandemic, and work commitments. Yet their love remained steadfast.

They nurtured their bond with text messages, voice calls, and acts of concern. Even through longing and uncertainty, they found happiness in each other.

"Being apart wasn’t easy. Like other couples, we had arguments and even broke up at times due to misunderstandings or disagreements," Hoa admitted.

A reunion years in the making

Before returning to Vietnam in 2024, Hoa and Be had briefly ended their relationship. At the time, it seemed like the final goodbye.

But once he was back in the country, closer in distance, Hoa couldn't accept that ending. He asked to meet her - just once - to finally see the woman who had "warmed his heart" for five years.

A video of their first meeting, with sweet moments and shy glances, drew 4.5 million views on TikTok.

Source: Provided by characters

That day, Hoa was as nervous as if falling in love for the first time. When Be appeared, he was overwhelmed by a flood of emotions - familiar yet strange.

"She looked even smaller in real life than in photos. We’d been in love for five years, yet still felt a little shy," he said.

But as they sat down to talk, their connection came rushing back. The past break-up faded, and the couple picked up where they left off - like no time had passed.

Back in Vietnam, Hoa started working at a restaurant in Quang Tri, beginning as a busboy and kitchen helper. After six months of dedication and learning, he became the head chef.

Be, meanwhile, continued working at a company in Ho Chi Minh City. Due to the nature of her job, she often had to travel, so the couple’s long-distance relationship resumed. Every few months, they’d meet in person - sometimes Hoa would travel south, other times Be would journey thousands of kilometers north.

In June 2025, Hoa decided he couldn’t endure the distance any longer. He quit his job and moved to Ho Chi Minh City to be near his girlfriend.

"It’s been five months now, and I’m so happy to see her every day," Hoa shared.

To him, Be isn’t just a romantic partner - she’s a companion who helps him see the world with more optimism and gentleness.

After five years of long-distance love and giving up work to be together, they believe their future will be filled with the peaceful days they’ve always longed for. For them now, love is not measured by distance, but by the joy of being present for each other every day.

Thanh Minh