For 10 years, the mothers of Bui Thi Yen Ngoc and her husband have shared a close and respectful relationship. For half of that time, they even lived together under one roof, building a bond that now feels more like that of biological sisters.

A decade of family ties

The story of Bui Thi Yen Ngoc (born in 1999), originally from Vinh Xuong Commune, An Giang Province, now living and working in Ho Chi Minh City, stands out for the close relationship between her mother and her mother-in-law.

Over the past decade, since their families became connected through marriage, the two women have treated each other with sincerity, respect and kindness. Their relationship became even stronger during the five years they shared the same home, a chapter rooted in mutual understanding and resilience.

Yen Ngoc married Trong Hau (born in 1998), also from An Giang Province, 10 years ago. They grew up in the same neighborhood, and their families had been neighbors for many years before the marriage.

Both came from similar family backgrounds. Ngoc's parents divorced when she was just two months old, while Hau's parents separated when he was around 10 years old. Both were raised by their mothers.

"Perhaps because of those shared experiences, my mother and my mother-in-law understood and appreciated each other from the very beginning," Ngoc said. "At our wedding, they held hands as they walked onto the stage to bless us. It's a moment I'll never forget."

After the wedding, Ngoc, her husband and her mother lived together in Ho Chi Minh City. When their first child was born in 2019, her mother-in-law traveled from An Giang to help care for the baby before returning home.

Despite the distance, the two women stayed in close contact through regular phone calls, maintaining a warm and supportive relationship.

Five years of living together in harmony

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 brought major challenges to the family. Ngoc's husband, young son and mother all became seriously ill, leaving her to care for her loved ones while managing the family's business and household responsibilities.

Watching from her hometown, Ngoc's mother-in-law was deeply worried. As soon as pandemic restrictions were lifted, she left An Giang and moved to Ho Chi Minh City to help care for the family.

"After that difficult period, my mother-in-law realized how unpredictable life could be and that she didn't want to live far away from her children and grandchildren anymore," Ngoc recalled.

The family warmly welcomed her. Ngoc's husband was happy to have his mother nearby again, while Ngoc's own mother was delighted that everyone could finally live together.

At the time, the couple rented a three-story house in Ho Chi Minh City. The ground floor served as their shop, while the upper floors were used as living space.

With four bedrooms, the home comfortably accommodated the extended family. While Ngoc and her husband focused on running their business, the two mothers shared childcare and household responsibilities.

"My mother is in her 60s, while my mother-in-law is in her 50s. They do almost everything together, and when they have free time, they even help us prepare customer orders," Ngoc said.

Throughout five years of living together, the two women never argued or competed with each other over household responsibilities.

Whether caring for grandchildren, grocery shopping, cooking or cleaning, they worked side by side. Whenever one felt tired or unwell, the other naturally stepped in to help.

Busy with work, Ngoc often felt exhausted. But seeing her mother and mother-in-law laughing together while caring for the children always gave her renewed motivation.

"My husband and I work hard to provide financial stability so our mothers and children can enjoy a comfortable life without unnecessary worries," she said.

When Ngoc gave birth to her second child, her younger and healthier mother-in-law volunteered to take primary responsibility for caring for the baby.

She told Ngoc's mother: "You worked so hard looking after the first grandchild. Let me take care of the second one so you can finally get some rest."

From then on, Ngoc's mother focused mainly on preparing meals, while her mother-in-law handled most of the childcare.

In 2024, the couple purchased a larger four-story home, giving every family member more space. They also hired a housekeeper to assist with cooking and cleaning so both mothers could enjoy more rest.

According to Ngoc, the secret to maintaining harmony lies in the values each family member embraces.

Everyone approaches life with optimism, patience and mutual respect.

The two in-laws confide in each other like sisters. Ngoc's mother-in-law treats her daughter-in-law with affection, while Ngoc's mother respects her son-in-law. Both women also make a point of giving the young couple enough privacy to nurture their own relationship.

"When my husband and I have disagreements, our mothers respect our space and let us resolve things ourselves," Ngoc said. "My mother always reminds me to be gentle and respectful toward my husband. I feel incredibly fortunate and grateful to have such a loving and harmonious family."

Thanh Minh