The devotion shown by ten daughters and their husbands has brought comfort to an elderly mother, offering quiet reassurance after decades of hardship raising her children.
Nguyen Thi Hanh, born in 1986 and living in Quoc Oai district, Hanoi, is the eighth of ten daughters in her family. Her mother, Duong Thi Ky, is now 74 years old. Their father passed away four years ago.
Hanh recalls a childhood marked by modest means. Her father worked as a veterinarian, while her mother farmed to support the family. Life was not easy, and raising ten daughters required constant sacrifice.
At one point, the entire family lived in a traditional three-room tile-roofed house. Five sisters shared a single bedroom, yet the small space was filled with warmth and laughter.
Mrs. Ky with her 10 daughters and 10 sons-in-law.
“With so many children, we used a large cast-iron pot that took two people to carry. The eldest would serve rice first, and by the time she ate, the meal was nearly over,” Hanh said with a smile.
Despite financial constraints, the sisters never lacked food or clothing, nor were they forced to abandon their education. Their parents placed strong emphasis on learning, encouraging each child to pursue her own path.
Eight of the ten sisters completed college or university. The others chose different directions after high school. Many went on to work in healthcare, education, business and tailoring - careers aligned with their father’s wish that his daughters contribute meaningfully to society.
Hanh still remembers his words: “You may be women, but you must never live dependent lives. Be self-reliant and trust yourselves.”
“That lesson has stayed with all of us. We built our own lives, just as he hoped,” she said.
Ten devoted sons-in-law
A photo of Hanh’s extended family taken during the 2026 Lunar New Year.
In Yen Son village, also in Quoc Oai, the family is widely known for its size and closeness. The siblings remain deeply connected, supporting one another through life’s ups and downs. At 74, their mother now has 21 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
All ten daughters married nearby and continue to live close to their childhood home. Years ago, they pooled their savings to build a more spacious and comfortable house for their parents.
Since their father’s passing, their mother still lives there but often walks to the home of her seventh daughter for meals. The other children visit frequently, ensuring she is never alone.
“She is still healthy and independent, but we take turns caring for her so she lacks nothing,” Hanh said.
Evenings are often spent together, either at their mother’s home or at a sibling’s house, where conversations stretch late into the night.
Mrs. Ky (in a yellow ao dai) with her children and grandchildren.Hanh's family.
Every year, on the second day of the Lunar New Year, all ten daughters and their husbands gather for a reunion meal. The once modest home fills with voices, laughter and the warmth of togetherness.
Hanh recalls her father once telling relatives during Tet: “I may not have wealth, but I have ten pieces of gold. My daughters are my greatest treasure.”
In time, the question of having a son to carry on the family name no longer mattered to him. What mattered was the love and care his daughters gave in return.
During his illness, the daughters took turns staying by his side. Their husbands also visited often, bringing him comfort in his final days.
For Hanh, the devotion of the sons-in-law remains especially meaningful. They treated their wife’s family as their own, taking part in both major responsibilities and everyday matters.
“When my father passed away, all ten sons-in-law asked for permission from both families to carry the mourning sticks in his funeral procession. They regarded him as their own father, and he loved them as his sons,” she said, her voice breaking.
“That day, my mother was deeply moved. Their devotion brought her immense comfort.”
Now, looking back over four decades of life, Hanh considers herself fortunate to have grown up in a family bound by love and mutual support.
“The greatest gift our parents gave us was not material wealth, but a legacy of love. With that, we have been able to overcome every hardship in life,” she said.
Vietnamnet.vn
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