With full support from both families, a same-sex couple in Vietnam celebrated their love in a traditional wedding ceremony-complete with 100 banquet tables and valuable gifts, including two land title deeds, nearly $16,000 in cash, and over two taels of gold.

Love found in understanding

Bui Thang Canh, born in 1998 in Vinh Long province, went through a long journey to understand and accept himself. Even as a child, he felt different-gentle in nature, drawn to delicate and beautiful things.

In high school, Canh developed feelings for someone of the same sex but was still uncertain about his identity. It wasn’t until college that he fully embraced being a member of the LGBT community.

“I’m the youngest in my family, with two older sisters. Even after I realized who I truly was, I didn’t dare tell my parents because I didn’t want to hurt them,” Canh shared.

Everything changed when Canh met his partner, Le Hieu Nghia, born in 1997 in An Giang.

They met in 2018 while working part-time on a cruise ship in Can Tho. From the very beginning, they sensed that they shared the same identity and soon began caring deeply for one another.

“Nghia paid attention to every little thing. He brought me food, and when I cut my hand, he immediately ran to get a bandage,” Canh recalled.

For Nghia’s birthday that year, Canh waited for over an hour just to deliver a cake and a shirt as a gift. Touched by the gesture, Nghia was moved. That night, Canh confessed his love, and they officially became a couple.

Eventually, they moved in together, expressing love through daily gestures-clean, ironed clothes, favorite dishes, and rides to class or work.

“Nghia gave me the strength to come out to my family. But I did it gradually to avoid shocking my parents,” Canh said.

A complete wedding

At first, Canh introduced Nghia as a friend. His family suspected nothing.

Over time, their visits to each other’s homes became more frequent. Without even realizing it, they had become part of each other’s families-someone always missed when absent.

“My mom really cares for Nghia. Once, she was hospitalized and he stayed by her side for a full week, tending to her every need. She introduced him to others as her son without even knowing the true nature of our relationship,” Canh shared.

In early 2025, feeling secure in their bond and dreaming of a wedding, the couple decided to come out to their families.

Canh remembered the moment vividly. He cooked a delicious shrimp dish and, as the family gathered, he spoke from the heart:“There’s something we’ve hidden for a long time. We love each other. We ask for your blessing to get married.”

“My father fell silent, and my grandmother looked saddened. After a long pause, they said, ‘We agree to let you marry. But we worry about your future without children.’

My mom, on the other hand, seemed happy-almost as if she had always known. To her, Nghia was already part of the family,” Canh recalled.

Nghia’s family also fully supported the relationship. His grandmother welcomed Canh with the same warmth that Nghia had received from Canh’s side.

“When I asked Nghia’s family for permission, I was so nervous my whole body felt hot. But hearing their acceptance filled me with peace,” Canh said.

They began planning their wedding that day, spending nearly a year preparing every detail-from venue décor to attire and ceremony rituals.

A celebration filled with emotion