Before becoming a daughter-in-law in 2015, Kieu Loan (born in 1991, Nghe An) was once objected to by her future mother-in-law. That year, she had just graduated from a university in HCMC and returned to her hometown to work for a fashion store owned by the family of Tran Dang Anh (born in 1989), located 8km away from her house. 

“My mother-in-law once said to my husband: 'I don't like your girlfriend, but if you want, I will still ask for her hand in marriage for you'. My husband replied: 'That won't do, mom. If you agree to let me marry her, you must also love her like you love me so that our family can be peaceful and happy'.

“Thanks to the tolerance of my mother-in-law and the nurturing of my father-in-law, we got married. Fortunately, from the moment I became a daughter-in-law, my mother-in-law has loved me very sincerely,” Loan recounted.

For the past 11 years, she has still considered being a daughter-in-law in her husband's family a great blessing. Her husband is the eldest son; from the time she became a new daughter-in-law, she was entrusted by her parents-in-law with the safe key to manage the family's finances.

Everything in the house, from business affairs to family living expenses, she comfortably takes care of under the absolute trust of his parents.

Loan gave birth to five children. During every childbirth, she always had her mother-in-law by her side, taking care of every meal. Desiring that they understand each other, her mother-in-law researched scientific child-rearing methods.

When she went to work, her mother-in-law took care of the grandchildren. When she returned home, her mother-in-law remained by her side to support with housework and children.

After childbirth, Loan often had little appetite. Her father-in-law would encourage her, saying: "Eat well so you can regain your strength. Childbirth is already difficult. How can you recover if you eat so little?"

She still remembers him climbing trees under the hot sun to gather che vang leaves, drying them and brewing them into tea for her.

"In 11 years as a daughter-in-law, my mother-in-law and I have never once raised our voices at each other. My father-in-law always does everything he could to preserve his children's happiness.

"My husband and I rarely argue. But on those few occasions, my parents-in-law never automatically side with their son or blame me. They listen carefully and treat us both fairly," Loan said.

What she treasures most is the close relationship between the two families.

For many years, the two sets of parents have treated each other like relatives, showing genuine respect and support.

Their homes are only 8km apart. When Loan's parents built a new house, her parents-in-law contributed paint, tiles, bathroom equipment and even helped pay construction workers.

When her father-in-law became ill and was hospitalized, her parents regularly visited him and often sent food to help him recover.

Those acts of kindness remain deeply meaningful to her.

Double in-laws

The relationship between the two families grew even closer when Loan's younger brother married her husband's younger sister in early 2025, turning the families into double in-laws.

"In 2020, my husband's family and I moved to Dong Nai to live and work. My younger brother followed us and worked for the family business. After graduating from university, my husband's younger sister also joined the family company as an accountant.

"In 2024, my father-in-law noticed my brother's feelings for her and helped bring them together. After spending some time getting to know each other, they eventually fell in love," Loan said.

A casual joke made years earlier between the two fathers - "Why don't we become double in-laws?" - eventually became reality.

At their children's wedding, Loan's father-in-law told his counterpart: "Years ago, I asked you for one of your daughters. Now, I am giving you a daughter in return."

The simple remark left many guests emotional.

"Another interesting thing is that my female cousin married my husband's second younger brother in 2017. That made our families even more closely connected," Loan added.

Thanks to these special family ties, Loan says her life has always been filled with warmth and love.

Thanh Minh