October 4, 2026 marked a special milestone for Thuy Linh (born in 1998, native to Khang Chien Commune, Lang Son Province) as she celebrated her wedding in the presence of three sets of parents: her biological parents, her former parents-in-law, and her new parents-in-law.

The ceremony carried both joyful smiles and emotional tears. Guests celebrated Linh's new chapter while admiring the exceptional affection her former parents-in-law showered on her.

Linh married for the first time in 2017 at age 19, settling in her husband's hometown.

In 2019, her first husband passed away three months after being diagnosed with a critical illness, leaving behind their 17-month-old daughter.

The loss overwhelmed Linh. "My child was very young, and I was not financially or emotionally stable. Losing our breadwinner left me uncertain about our future," Linh shared.

Her parents-in-law, though devastated by the loss of their youngest son, remained resilient to serve as a pillar of support for their daughter-in-law and granddaughter.

Linh had lived with her parents-in-law since she first married into the family. After her husband died, they still wanted her and her daughter to stay so the family could remain together.

Over the years, Linh continued to receive their support. She worked in Bac Ninh and returned home only when she occasionally had time off. Her little daughter was cared for entirely by her grandparents.

While renting a room near her workplace, Linh often received food sent by her former parents-in-law. Whenever she returned to her hometown, no matter how late she arrived, a meal was always waiting for her.

Her former mother-in-law remembered her favorite snacks and would buy them at the market as treats. Linh’s brother-in-law and sister-in-law also treated her and her daughter very well.

“Over the years, my former parents-in-law have told me many times, ‘Whenever you meet someone suitable, just bring him home and let us take care of the wedding arrangements. Don’t feel hesitant.’

“But honestly, it was very difficult for me to bring up the subject. I had lived with them for so long that I always considered their home my own, and they treated me like their daughter. Neither they nor I could quite bear the thought of me getting married again,” Linh said.

Former in-laws prepare 50-table feast for daughter-in-law's wedding

Nearly three years ago, Linh met her current husband. During Tet 2026, confident in their commitment, she brought him home to meet her former parents-in-law.

Her former in-laws welcomed the news. Their primary concern was the 300km distance between Lang Son and his hometown in Phu Tho Province. However, seeing Linh's trust in him, they offered their full blessing.

Linh’s former parents-in-law told her biological parents, “All these years, we have continued to regard Linh as our daughter. Now that she has found new happiness, we would like to take responsibility for arranging her wedding.”

With her former parents-in-law taking the lead in making the arrangements, Linh’s wedding went smoothly. From the initial engagement visit and formal engagement ceremony to the wedding day, the family carefully prepared every detail, with all three families present.

On the wedding day, her former parents-in-law handled everything, from setting up the wedding marquee and preparing the food to inviting guests. They prepared 50 tables of food and invited relatives, neighbors and close friends to celebrate and wish Linh well as she began a new chapter of her life.

On the wedding stage that day, Linh’s former mother-in-law spoke tearfully: “From today onward, you will be a daughter-in-law in another family. The road ahead may have many challenges, and I hope you will be strong enough to overcome them. I hope you will be independent, respect your elders, be considerate toward those younger than you, and be a good wife and daughter-in-law.”

Hearing those heartfelt words, Linh broke down in tears. Her former father-in-law, sitting below the stage, quietly wiped away his own tears.

Linh and her new husband now live and work in Bac Ninh, while her daughter from her previous marriage lives with her paternal grandparents in Lang Son for the convenience of her schooling. Linh hopes her new chapter of happiness will be a lasting one.

Thanh Minh