Ho Tuan Anh (born 1998, from HCMC) and Pham Van Vuong (born 2000, from Binh Phuoc, now Dong Nai province) had been together for eight years before tying the knot.

Before walking down the aisle in March, they went through years of hardship while building their lives, facing social barriers and prejudice surrounding their relationship.

Vuong realized his sexual orientation as he entered adulthood. Though initially confused, he soon accepted who he was and came out to his parents.

“I knew it would be a shock to my mother, so I chose to tell her while she was still mentally strong enough to process it,” Vuong said.

That day, his parents sat on the bed while he nervously walked past. Having been informed beforehand by his sister, his mother simply asked, “Is it true?” He did not answer, quietly went to the backyard, sat under a fig tree, and broke down in tears.

After that, the topic was never brought up again. Later, at a family gathering, Vuong overheard his father telling relatives: “My son will marry a man, not a woman.” At that moment, he understood he had been accepted.

Tuan Anh’s journey was different. He described his coming out as a gradual process.

Raised by his grandparents after his parents separated, he hesitated to reveal his identity out of concern for them. Only after meeting Vuong and realizing he was his life partner did he slowly open up.

The two met in 2018 while working part-time at the same company. Back then, both were thin and tanned. They were drawn to each other not by appearance, but by diligence, perseverance, and independence.

“Everything happened quickly. We fell for each other, started dating, then moved in together. Back then, we rented a small room and shared an old motorbike. We studied and worked at different hours but still made time to pick each other up. We had little money, but we cherished each other above all,” Tuan Anh recalled.

Initially, they introduced each other to their families as friends. Vuong’s family quickly recognized their relationship and accepted it, just as they had accepted his identity.

Tuan Anh’s grandparents, however, struggled at first. They had welcomed Vuong warmly, but when they learned of the special relationship, they were anxious and raised a series of questions: “What will the future of you two be like if you don't have children?” “Are you two just going to live together like this?”

Fortunately, by then, the two had stable jobs and had purchased a small home together.

“I told my grandparents confidently that we could build a good and happy life. I believe our stability was the most convincing proof,” Tuan Anh said.

Eventually, his grandparents came to understand and accept their relationship. “The most precious gift they gave me was a wedding,” he said emotionally.

The proposal ceremony (le dam ngo) was held at the end of 2025 in Vuong's hometown. They called it a “green party” because the space was beautifully decorated with green as the main theme.

The wedding was held on March 22 in Chon Thanh ward (Dong Nai), where both are working. It was attended by relatives, friends, and colleagues from both sides.

During the wedding, Vuong and Tuan Anh were presented by the family with five taels of gold and a set of jewelry. Vuong's father emotionally messaged his children in front of both families: “Children, remember, no matter what, your grandparents and parents are always behind you watching over.”

“It was like an affirmation of the unconditional love the family has for us,” Vuong said.

Initially, the couple planned to invite more than 200 guests with nearly 30 banquet tables. In the end, the number of guests who came to attend reached 360, leaving both astonished and a bit flustered.

“Fortunately, we prepared extra wedding feasts so we weren't in an awkward position. I am very happy that so many relatives and friends came to the wedding,” Vuong shared.

Tuan Anh called his complete wedding the “sweet fruit” of the couple's persistent days together.

"What makes me happiest is not a grand, magnificent wedding, but the presence of the people I love. That day, they laughed and gave us sincere blessings. That precious thing, I will remember forever,” he said.

Ha Nguyen