Nguyen Ngoc Tung (born 1981, from Yen Trung commune, Bac Ninh province) moved to Russia to work in 2006. Nearly 20 years later, he returned to his hometown alongside his gentle Russian wife and two bright, adorable children.

Throughout that long journey, he has felt profoundly grateful for finding a hardworking, devoted wife who was willing to leave her homeland and family behind to accompany him to Vietnam, build a home, and care for his aging mother.

Elena (born 1997) was born and raised in Izhevsk city, 16 years younger than Tung. In 2015, while waiting to start university, she worked part-time at a shop near where Tung worked. The two frequently bumped into each other, exchanging polite greetings. Eventually, Tung found himself anticipating those brief daily encounters.

"We felt an immediate connection. Even a simple head nod made my heart feel warm."

"Elena was only 18 at the time, but she was calm, mature, and very industrious. Those qualities completely drew me to her," Tung shared.

Rather than pursuing her aggressively, Tung approached Elena with gentleness and respect. He invited her for meals and walks after work, occasionally surprising her with small gifts.

After three months of dating, he confessed his feelings at a romantic coffee shop in the city center. Presenting her with a bouquet of flowers, he was filled with joy when Elena responded: "I have been waiting to hear that for a long time. I agree."

The decision to settle in Vietnam

In 2017, the couple officially moved in together. That same year, Elena gave birth to their first son.

In 2020, they held a small wedding ceremony in Russia while Elena was pregnant with their second child, a daughter. Though family members from Vietnam could not attend the event, it remained a memorable milestone.

Over eight years of building their home in Russia, Elena constantly amazed her Vietnamese husband with her thoughtfulness and attentiveness. Despite her youth, she excelled as a wife and mother, striving to adapt to Vietnamese customs to bring him joy.

"Elena knew I couldn't eat Western food every day, so she taught herself to cook Vietnamese dishes. For 20 days out of every month, we ate Vietnamese food, and she accustomed our children to it as well."

"She managed everything in the household flawlessly, from cooking to childcare," Tung shared.

Despite his happy life in Russia, Tung harbored a persistent worry. As the only son among six siblings, he always planned to return home to care for his aging parents, but feared Elena might not want to leave Russia.

He even considered arranging a comfortable life for his wife and children in Russia while he returned to Vietnam alone to fulfill his duty. Elena sensed her husband's conflict, but remained undecided.

Then a tragedy in 2024 altered everything. That year, Tung’s father tragically passed away in a traffic accident. Upon hearing the news, he rushed his family back to Vietnam for the funeral, marking Elena and the children's first visit to his ancestral home.

"During the nearly 50 days we stayed, Elena deeply felt the warmth and strong family connections of Vietnamese people. She was impressed by the ancestral worship tradition, viewing it as a meaningful way to teach younger generations to honor their roots," Tung recalled.

Elena also recognized the crucial role of an eldest son, helping her empathize with her husband's sense of duty. When they returned to Russia and Tung voiced his desire to relocate the whole family to Vietnam, she immediately agreed.

In April 2025, Tung's family officially moved to Vietnam. To this day, he remains deeply grateful for his wife's empathy and understanding.

For over a year, Tung’s family has lived with his aging mother in Bac Ninh. Despite language barriers, Elena actively adapts to the lifestyle and cultural nuances of her husband’s hometown.

“Elena is a very thoughtful person. Not long after arriving, she had already remembered every family member’s birthday, from her siblings-in-law to the nieces and nephews, and prepared gifts carefully. She is also hardworking and tidy, so everyone loves her,” Tung said.

Now, Tung’s daily happiness lies in caring for his aging mother and enjoying a peaceful life with his wife and children. He deeply treasures his Russian wife’s sacrifices and understanding, knowing her support made his complete family life possible.

Thanh Minh