Wedding the Vietnamese way
Jarli had the pleasure of attending Mr. Tam and Ms. Hoa's wedding, which took place in the fall of 2000 near our brand new apartment. The groom used to work for AITCV and also graduated from AIT's MBA program.
The wedding couple first welcomed the guests outside the wedding venue and in the lobby we were greeted by an interesting sign stating that the groom's guests should go to the 6th floor and the bride's guests should stay on the first floor. This is based on old traditions, as in the previous three weddings the whole group has been together.
On the sixth floor, tables were set for about 100 people and we were happy to find that the AITCV people had to use two tables, even though at first we thought we could manage with one.
Here I have to tell you about one special custom here. Especially in the cheapest restaurants, it is customary to give customers hygienic hand towels in a thin plastic package. And since firecrackers are banned here, they are not torn open, but rather popped mischievously, laughing between the palms of your hands (the most skilled ones pop their packages twice). Jari wanted to ask the staff for some, and they (smiling, of course) made it clear that they don't offer them in a place of their level. And then he had to make do with paper towels. Due to the excessive exposure, the photos of this incident are in black and white.
The bride and groom visited each table to get wishes for a happy life and traditional gift envelopes. The current custom is that guests each give the wedding couple about 50 Mk as a gift.
Of course, the wedding is an important event for the wedding couple, but it is still not clear to me at what point they consider themselves married. To the best of my understanding, it happens later after the celebrations when the bride officially moves into her in-laws' home in the evening. Where fewer and fewer stay a few hours later before moving under their own roof.
The food also followed modern traditions. Moist salad of seasonal vegetables and nuts, breaded octopus, fried chicken, baked fish, cold rice pudding seasoned and colored with gac fruit. And of course, the obligatory rice bowl and soup to finish. Fruit for dessert and beer or soft drink as the main drink.
Although weddings differ from domestic ones without a church and a solemn promise, in Viet Nam they are also important and joyful celebrations, which are carefully planned and executed with style.