Le Tong My Lan (born 1994) grew up in a family with two daughters in HCM City. She always felt spiritually “rich” with a supportive family. She is currently an entrepreneur in the culinary field. Vignesh Mahadevan (born 1989) is the eldest son in a Brahmin family with two brothers in India. His family upholds and practices many religious traditions and rituals.

In 2018, Vignesh came to Vietnam as a pilot for an airline. In March 2019, the couple met through a dating app and quickly had their first date at a movie theater.

Vignesh is humorous, sings, tells stories, and performs magic tricks. My Lan, curious and adventurous, always felt joy and excitement with him. Their second, third, and fourth dates followed, and their love grew naturally.

Living and working in HCM City, the couple cared for each other with delicious meals and sweet words. “Our life was peaceful. Being together, doing simple things, is happiness. I think that gentle, unpretentious connection made me want to stay with him,” Lan shared.

After a year of dating, they went public with their families. Lan’s parents, seeing her happiness, fully supported them. However, Vignesh’s parents were less accepting. As the eldest son in a traditional Brahmin family, they expected him to marry an Indian woman to preserve their culture.

When they learned of the relationship, his parents strongly opposed it, even forcing him to choose between “family or My Lan.” Initially, Vignesh stayed silent, and Lan understood his dilemma.

In 2023, Lan visited India to meet his family during a major festival. Entering their home, she was overwhelmed by a grand space with 60 deity statues, including 25 in the main prayer room and a large bell.

Each morning, Vignesh’s mother turned on meditation music, performed prayers, and rang the bell in a serene atmosphere, preparing offerings for the gods.

Lan’s first visit was not smooth. She and Vignesh stayed in a hotel for 10 days, bringing gifts daily to visit his parents. “We ate together, then I listened to them debate our relationship. His family didn’t agree to him marrying me, but Vignesh firmly said, ‘I will only marry her,’” Lan recalled.

Witnessing the debate, Lan felt uneasy, but Vignesh’s resolve gave her the strength to overcome this barrier. “For him, I am the only one. He didn’t waver despite family pressure. That made me trust and stay committed to holding his hand to the end,” Lan said.

Months later, the couple returned to India to discuss their future seriously. The family’s reaction surprised her. This time Lan was warmly welcomed by his family members, who invited her to stay at their home and gave her clothes and jewelry. “I think that was a clear sign of acceptance, and I was very happy,” Lan said.

A joyful wedding

In March 2025, the couple held their wedding in India. Over two days, they performed  traditional rituals like exchanging garlands, the Madhuparka ceremony with honey and yogurt, Kanyadaan when the bride’s parents hand her to the groom, and Laja Homa when the bride offers roasted rice to the sacred fire for her husband’s blessings.

Lan was amazed by the solemnity and sanctity of each ritual. Her husband’s Indian family ensured a meticulous and traditional wedding. The bride received lavish gifts like jewelry and gold-silver artwork.

“The gift that impressed me the most was a large painting made from small photos of us, crafted by Vignesh’s aunt, who is over 70. I’m grateful for her thoughtfulness and effort,” Lan said. 

“In India, the bride’s family typically prepares a dowry, but my in-laws asked for nothing. Instead, they prepared everything meticulously,” Lan added.

A week later, a wedding was held in Vietnam, attended by Vignesh’s parents and relatives. This time, the groom’s family was amazed. They were surprised by the lively, bustling Vietnamese wedding, with rows of young men and women carrying gift trays and the warm hospitality of neighbors.

“My family prepared four menus - vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Indian, and Vietnamese - so everyone felt welcomed like at home,” Lan said.

The couple lives and works in HCM City, occasionally visiting her in-laws. For Lan, being an Indian daughter-in-law is pressure-free. With household help, she isn’t burdened by cooking or cleaning.

“Being the wife of an Indian pilot like Vignesh is like loving a free breeze. He flies everywhere, but his heart is always home with me,” Lan said.

Thanh Minh