What’s It Like for a Foreigner to Marry a Local in Vietnam?
I had never planned on getting married. I was content with my single life in Vietnam, but fate had other plans. Six years after relocating to this beautiful country, I met a woman who turned my world around. Our relationship progressed quickly, and within two years, we found ourselves in the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, exchanging wedding vows. Little did I know that this marriage would be my passport to a whole new world—a world filled with the rich culture and traditions of rural Vietnam, far removed from the bustling city life of Ho Chi Minh City. Every country has its unique culture, and Vietnam is no exception. As a Westerner, I soon discovered that adapting to these new cultural nuances would be my biggest challenge yet. My wife’s family, who lived outside the city, spoke no English, and the rural lifestyle was a stark contrast to the fast-paced city life I had known. The initial years of my marriage were a rollercoaster of adjustments. Food, communication, customs, and pri...