Nguyen Thuy Giang (born in 2001) and Nguyen Hoang Thach (born in 1994) both grew up in Van Xuan Commune, Phu Tho Province. Living opposite each other separated by a 4-meter road, their two families maintained close neighborly ties for decades.

Despite growing up in the same neighborhood, Giang and Thach were not particularly close. With a seven-year age gap, they only occasionally played badminton or shuttlecock with local children during childhood.

Later, Thach moved to Hanoi for university and work, making their encounters infrequent. In late 2020, when Giang also moved to Hanoi for studies, the pair had an opportunity to connect.

Knowing his younger neighbor was attending school in Hanoi, Thach interacted with her on social media and invited her for coffee. However, Giang declined repeatedly.

Thach's opportunity arose when Giang's mother requested him to transport a package from their home village to Hanoi for her daughter.

"I accepted the coffee invitation to receive the package sent by my mother. That was when I realized he genuinely liked me rather than playfully teasing like when we were younger," Giang recalled.

She opened up to the neighbor, discovering he was gentle, ambitious, and willing to prioritize her needs.

However, Giang hesitated regarding a romantic relationship. Living directly across the street, she feared potential awkwardness between the families if the relationship failed.

Thach proposed five times before she agreed to date in July 2021.

"I thought I should try once; perhaps we were truly fated," Giang shared.

Upon learning about the relationship, Giang's mother simply asked: "Have you thought this through carefully?" Previously, her mother had advised her to marry close to home to remain near her parents. Learning her daughter was dating the neighbor across the street brought her joy.

"Once, after a disagreement, I impulsively suggested breaking up. My mother learned of it and gave advice I always remember: 'I respect your decision, but you must think carefully. Living so close, you must act maturely rather than dating one day and breaking up the next.' Remembering her words, I reflected on my feelings, realized I still loved him, and sent a message to reconcile," Giang shared.

4-meter bride procession: guests enter wrong house

In early 2025, the couple married after four years of dating. Living 4 meters apart, their wedding included several unique situations.

The bride prepared floral decorations not only for her family's house but also for the groom's house. Her family members also crossed the street to decorate the bridal room.

On the main wedding day, the groom and his family walked across to fetch the bride. Separated by a narrow street, the bride and groom reached the groom's gate while the bride's escorting party was still seated inside her home.

Bystanders urged: "Walk slowly to wait for the entire group." Nevertheless, the procession took a total of 30 seconds.

"The wedding MC experienced a truly busy day, running from the groom's house to the bride's house and emceeing continuously along the short procession route. A friend traveling from Hanoi to attend the wedding accidentally walked into the groom's reception tent. Only after she video-called me did I realize and guide her to the bride's side," Giang laughed.

After nearly two years of living opposite her maiden home as a daughter-in-law, Giang enjoys a fulfilling routine.

For her, marriage felt like "switching sleeping locations from one house to another" rather than saying a tearful farewell to her parents. On the wedding day itself, immediately after the procession ceremony ended, she ran back to her parents' house.

"The two houses face each other, so standing at my husband's gate allows me to see what my parents are doing. I visit my mother dozens of times daily, sometimes eating meals at each house," Giang said.

In late 2025, Giang gave birth to her first son. During childbirth and postpartum recovery, both her mother and mother-in-law provided care. Whenever she needs help with childcare, she simply calls across the street to her mother or younger sister.

Marrying close to home allows the couple to attend all family gatherings. During Tet holidays, they avoid logistical dilemmas over visiting paternal versus maternal relatives due to the short distance.

"Transitioning from neighbors to in-laws brought our parents even closer. Whenever either family prepares a good dish, they share it or gather together for meals," Giang noted.

Thanh Minh