Ten years together

Kim Ngan, originally from Can Tho and currently working in business, recognized her emotional orientation long ago.

Ngan said she has always felt peaceful and safe when she is with someone of the same sex and, over the years, has been willing to set aside social prejudice and follow her feelings.

"For me, the most important thing is being with someone who can understand, share and empathize with me, and grow together with me," Ngan said.

Ngan considers herself fortunate that her parents have always respected her feelings and major life choices.

Her parents often told their two daughters: "Live the way you want, as long as you are happy. And remember, do not choose the wrong person to walk through life with."

"Maybe I have been lucky, and I have always remembered my parents' advice, so I chose the right person to accompany me over the past 10 years," Ngan said.

That person is Le Huong, originally from Bac Lieu, now part of Ca Mau province, who also works in business.

Ten years ago, Huong moved to Can Tho for university and happened to meet Ngan while spending time with a group of mutual friends.

After only a few exchanged glances, they realized they were on the same wavelength.

Huong was the first to openly express her feelings. She paid close attention to Ngan's emotions, frequently picked her up and dropped her off, cared for her and showed affection through even the smallest gestures.

Not long afterward, they officially entered a relationship.

When Ngan's parents learned about it, they did not object. Instead, feeling sympathy for Huong because she was studying far from home, they invited her to live with the family.

Huong still treasures the months she spent in the warm, laughter-filled atmosphere of Ngan's family home.

"However, we only lived with my parents for a few months before asking for permission to move out and live independently," Ngan said.

The two stayed together steadily for the next 10 years, navigating uncertain periods in their careers and the pressure of demanding workloads.

On one occasion, Ngan suffered a health problem and had to be hospitalized. Huong became so worried that she burst into tears and stayed by her side continuously in the days that followed.

Ngan's work also requires frequent travel. At one point, she struggled to adapt to a new place to live and work.

Huong patiently stayed beside her, listened, comforted her and helped her regain emotional balance and find clearer direction.

"That is why being with Huong gives me a genuine sense of having a partner by my side," Ngan said.

A wedding filled with gold and land titles

Huong's family accepted their daughter's true feelings long ago.

When they learned that she had found someone compatible to share a long-term life with, they gave the couple their full support.

Although the two families live more than 100 km apart, they frequently visit one another.

Because both sides put their children's happiness first, they found common ground easily.

"Sometimes when we were too far away to return home, our parents would still visit each other on their own, talk and enjoy meals together. For many years, both sets of parents kept urging us to hold a wedding so relatives and friends could give us their blessings. This year, to mark the 10th anniversary of when we met, we decided to hold the ceremony," Ngan said.

To show their affection and respect for Ngan and her family, Huong's parents organized the celebrations with all the traditional steps, including the formal family introduction, engagement ceremony and wedding.

The wedding was held in Can Tho on July 17 with 45 banquet tables, followed by another celebration in Ca Mau on July 19 with 35 tables.

Huong and her family traveled more than 100 km to collect the bride.

The couple received numerous valuable wedding gifts from their parents, including 11 land-use right certificates, 5 taels of gold, a street-front house and cash.

Relatives on both sides also gave the newlyweds other valuable wedding gifts to provide them with financial support for the future.

The wedding was carefully organized and featured many memorable moments.

For Kim Ngan, however, the most emotional moment came as she sat waiting for her life partner to arrive with the wedding procession and take her home.

"We are both over 30 now. We have been together for so long that even without this ceremony, our feelings would not have changed. Still, being able to stand side by side at the wedding, receive the blessings of our families and friends, and clearly see the happiness of both sets of parents gave me an indescribable sense of joy. From this point on, we are entering a new chapter. We have greater responsibility toward one another, and together we will fulfill our duties to both of our families," Ngan said emotionally.

Thanh Minh