Couples with disabilities at Giac Ngo Pagoda in District 10 of Ho Chi Minh City.

This was the second annual event held by the pagoda’s Dao Phat Ngay Nay(Buddhism Today) Fund, with total cost of nearly 1 billion VND (43,100 USD).

Speaking at the ceremony, thehead monk of the pagoda, venerable Thich Nhat Tu, said most of thecouples have impaired mobility or are visually or hearing impaired.

He said that the pagoda expected to organise two events in comingyears to help more needy people.

Each couple received a wedding package worth 18 million VND (775USD), including two wedding rings, two wedding ao dai outfits (Vietnamesetraditional dress) for bride and groom, a wedding table of vegetarianfood, wedding photos, marriage certificates, flowers, make-up, andhairdressing, among other services.

Nguyen Kim Duyen, 31, and her husband Nguyen Hop Vinh, 40, a couple from thesouthern province of Binh Phuoc, said they lived together in the same house forabout four years.

“We do not have enough money to organise a wedding ceremony like many others,”Duyen said.

Vinh said: “I would liketo say thanks to organisers and donors that have made our dreams cometruth."

The couples were also offered aride on cyclos that started from Hoa Binh (Peace) Park in District 10 andended at Ben Thanh Market in District 1.

Last year, the event was recognised as the largest-ever group wedding forpeople with disabilities at a pagoda in Vietnam by the Vietnam RecordOrganisation (VietKings)./.VNA