You should put the lucky money into the envelope which contains the wedding invitation card. Both times I've been here, the food was catered by Furiwa. Originally loose and plain, it wasn't until French-trained artists began playing around with the fit, the ao dai became a symbol of beauty and elegance. For the sake of comparison, at my wedding, my wife and I were 28 and 27, respectively. Important Colors and Attire 7. The engagement in Vietnam is different than in Western countries. User #315864 1300 posts. "Interestingly, compared to a western ceremony, there isn't a single moment in time in which the couple crosses over from being 'unmarried' to being 'married' and there isn't any officiant in charge of the proceedings, so each side of the family has to know what to do next," explains Bui. At this point, the couple may exchange jewelry, placing wedding rings on each other's fingers, and if there was a gift of jewelry in the procession earlier, this will be ceremoniously put on the bride. Some of the essential wedding gifts in Vietnam are the ones bride receives on their wedding day. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. How much money do you give at a Vietnamese wedding? In the north, the number of gift trays has to be an odd number, while the number of offerings on these trays has to be even such as two bottles of wine, 12 boxes of cakes, etc. Once the bride and groom have made their rounds, the party officially begins! On this occasion, the bride, and sometimes even the groom, will wear ao dai, the Vietnamese traditional dress. Although this proposal ceremony is simple, it is an indispensable part of any Vietnamese wedding. We had two parts of our wedding. At the wedding reception, you will see the bride and groom's relatives or friends standing next to a table with a small decorated box where you can put the envelopes. "The bride's parents will escort the bride to finally see her partner. A groom bringing his bride down from her room after obtaining permission from her family 1. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. By tradition, the wedding is held with a lot of flowers, unusual treats, and watermelon seeds. How is a western wedding different to a Vietnamese wedding? This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. Answer (1 of 7): Usually the groom's family is to pay for everything. (All previous posts I've read about this are from years ago). In 2015, Erin decided to pursue her passion for writing and launched "Erin Krespan". #3: Nem (a kind of the crunchy spring rolls). The groom himself will be at the end of the procession, often carrying a bouquet. You will find bottles of the most expensive Cognac, stick rice, luxury teas, desserts, fruits and items that symbolize prosperity, wealth and luck. Cognac and Lots of Food 11. As a rule of thumb, you should choose a respond-by date that is approximately 2 to 4 weeks before the wedding date. LOL I'm a Vietnamese and I'm reading this for my school Vietnamese and I'm reading this for my school assignment :D, 2013-2022 i Tour Vietnam | All Rights Reserved | contact: info@itourvn.com, MUI NE, DA LAT & NHA TRANG (6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS). Sign up on The Knot to reach more couples and book more weddings! If you cant be at the wedding, ask someone else to deliver an envelope in your name After the couple is officially announced as husband and wife, a feast is thrown to celebrate the occasion amid cheerful music, and the newlyweds will go from table to table to propose toasts and receive good wishes from guests. This is the part of the wedding where you light incense and candles, bow and pray to your ancestors. Image credit: Rina Chan. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. What does a Vietnamese wedding look like? There isn't one to shop off of since it's a Vietnamese tradition that we. ", Some people may be surprised to learn that there isn't a specific moment in Vietnamese ceremonies where an officiant pronounces the couple married. The celebration of a traditional Vietnamese wedding can last 5-7 days. The rules are less strict today and you dont have to wait that long, but if you just attended a funeral in the past couple of months, you should still call the couple to let them know and apologise for your absence. Karaoke is almost a must in every Vietnamese wedding, especially in the countryside. If you cant be at the wedding, ask someone else to deliver an envelope in your name. These famous gowns stand the test of timeand we can't get enough. Again, the two families will have consulted a fortune teller to decide on a lucky date, and the ceremony involves several steps. Couples keep alive many traditional practices while embracing western influences. In our modern society, however, it is done after the young couple have already decided to get married and is seen as a way for the two families to officially meet and get to know their future in-laws. Thoughtful Wedding Gifts 12. A Vietnamese marriage ceremony will be divided into two main parts: the wedding ceremony and the congratulatory party. After all, preparing for a wedding that can involve hundreds of guests is a daunting task, so do your part to let the groom and bride know how many people will be present so as not to catch them by surprise. You can use it to get an idea of how much you can afford to give so that you can plan accordingly. According to the study, "wedding guests spend an average of $118 per wedding gift, while wedding attendants spent more, at around $177.". at ceremony time). While in many Western weddings it's commonplace to have a first look where to-be-weds see each other in their wedding attire for the first time, that's less common within Vietnamese weddings. ", During the m Hi, Chan advises that "the groom's side lines up with offerings of food and alcohol. Apply for the Marriage License. PRO TIP: We made a calculator here to find out your approximate date. If you're a guest, you can rent an o di! She goes on to explain that Vietnamese wedding receptions involve "a lot of food during the wedding reception. Checks or cash are much more appreciated as they will help pay for the wedding or help the couple get started with their new life's journey. If you are close friends, a gift of 75 is considered about the right amount. Vietnamese engagement ceremony is an important ceremony before the wedding which involve both fianc's and fiance's families. ", Over the course of a Vietnamese wedding day, the couple will honor their elders and ancestors in a variety of meaningful ways. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Cover image adapted from @truongdiepanh_ and REN Bridal Studio. A family may use all of its worldly goods that can be transferred into money. The first thing to know is the different parts of a wedding. The couple will offer tea and be presented with gifts again, and then lunch is served. Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: So, whether youve been invited to a wedding, or are planning your own big day, here are all the. What is the legal age to get married in Vietnam? It marks a celebration of the bride and groom coming together as a couple. Yes, all the rules and rituals can be tiresome at times, but they are done in hopes that the newlyweds will have a happy, fulfilling life together, and witnessing them is a way to be part of their lives and convey your best hopes for their future. Traditionally, the groom and his family will arrive at the bride's family home to present gifts and dowry and speak to a representative of the bride's family before they grant permission to the groom and hand off their daughter for marriage. This implies that population and marital status adjusted, Muslims are more likely to be divorced than Hindus, and Muslim women take up almost the entire burden of this difference. It is not uncommon for men to wear a suit while attending a Vietnamese wedding, but women usually dont wear formal o di unless they are the couples mothers or older relatives. In addition, the procession of gifts to the bride's family (or the mm qu), is another way to pay respect to the bride's family and thank them for raising the bride to the individual she is today. When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them. This large range in cost is due to factors like the fabric used, the embellishments and details, the designer or retailer, and the size and style of the dress. The procession leading to the groom's house. If you are invited to someones wedding but cant make it for whatever reason, call them and let them know. On the morning of the wedding day, the groom and his groomsmen bring red covered gift boxes to the brides house . These people are often the brides and grooms relatives or friends. Checks or cash are much more appreciated as they will help pay for the wedding or help the couple get started with their new lifes journey. purpose so that they do not have to give you an answer that will upset you. I got engaged quite recently. Chinese Tea; Traditionally, sweet teas are served for Chinese wedding tea . It is also an introduction of family members of both sides and a way of honoring their family and ancestors," explains Chan. Image credit: Nguyn Th Phng Hoa. If you are to attend these weddings, make sure you have the locals fully explain the traditions as they are quite different (and fun) from the popular majority. Brides usually wear a traditional Vietnamese wedding dress or modern ao dai, and the most popular colors are white and red. Some weddings in the countryside often last for 2 to 3 days with a large number of guests. Do take care not to let other people see how much you put in the envelope, as money can be a sensitive topic in Vietnam. The normal wedding money gift where I am is 300.000VND (about 10 pounds 50 pence). So important is the occasion that the master of ceremony will give guests and newlywed water or shower break of about 10-15 minutes. In any culture, a wedding is a grand occasion that marks a major milestone in any persons life, and Vietnamese weddings are no exception. On the invitation letter there will be 2 times: invitation time and ceremony time. , check out our authentic motorbike tours with professional local guides! ", Food is a big part of Vietnamese wedding celebrations as is alcohol, notably cognac. Depending on the size of this family, this may take some time, but it demonstrates respect and togetherness. An Introduction to Vietnamese Etiquette - the Dos and Don'ts Updated September 2018 Welcome to Vietnam! So, whether youve been invited to a wedding, or are planning your own big day, here are all the Vietnamese wedding traditions and customs you need to know to make sure everything goes smoothly. After earning a degree in marketing, she worked for several years in the fashion industry, gaining valuable experience and insights into the world of style and trends. "The combination of red and gold or all white is reserved only for the couple on the day of the wedding. At its core, though, a wedding is still a sacred ceremony that binds not only two people, but also two families. While tables with elders are simply met with words of wisdom and cheers, tables with younger guests would tend to play short drinking games with the couples. There are 5, 7 or 9 males from the fiancs family bringing the trays of gifts and the same number of females from the fiances family receiving them. Bennifer is married and better than ever. Chan encourages all to-be-weds to "order a lot of Cognac for the reception!" Most often when you receive an invitation card to a wedding, itll explicitly invite you, you and your family, or you and your loved one. For a colleague or acquaintance, $50 to $75 is acceptable. Bui explains that "first the parents of the groom, then the parents of the bride, then the bride and groom themselves pray together. My brother is marrying a Vietnamese girl in Da Nang and we are all coming over from New Zealand for the ceremony. It is when members of the groom's family present the bride's family with gifts. A proposal ceremony is considered to be a good start for a successful marriage. "The tea ceremony (or Vu Quy) is the ceremony where the couple presents tea to their parents and grandparents. If you are a foreigner, a gift of 500,000 VND ($22 USD) is appropriate. Likewise, the bride will also ask her unmarried female friends and relatives to become her gift receivers. Come to share the joy and wish the newlyweds good luck, but refrain from asking questions that are too personal. Vietnamese often enjoy drinking beer during the wedding, and some do get drunk, but being drunk in this ceremony would annoy other guests. What Is the Dollar Dance Wedding Tradition? Family of the couple and wedding guests may also opt to wear an o di. Dont get drunk at the wedding. Once this is done, the bride will be escorted into the room to applause, and the groom may present the bride with her bouquet.". The wedding day is the culmination of several months worth of preparation. They may challenge him to push-ups, jumping jacks and other activities to show that he is strong.". During dinner service, the bride and groom greet each table to thank them for coming in a custom called cho bn, which literally translates to a greeting table. Doing a traditional m hi is not too common these days but back in antiquity, the m hi was sometimes the event where the groom met the bride for the first time, so you can imagine that this ceremony, when it exists today, is quite amended to be more of an engagement party that, together with the m ci, bookends the engagement period of the bride and groom.". One of the bridesmaid ran off the money (30,000$ in cash). Traditional Vietnamese Wedding Gifts Immediate family usually gives more money to the bride and groom and many couples use the money to pay for the entire wedding. Rehearsal Dinners, Bridal Showers & Parties, Flower Girl Dresses and Ring Bearer Outfits, 8. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Family and friends usually are not invited there, and the newlyweds themselves are dressed in casual clothes. One of the most iconic symbols of the Vietnamese Wedding is the Vietnamese Wedding Dress or the Ao Dai. Traditionally speaking, the proposal ceremony known in Vietnamese as l dm ng is when the mans family visits the womans to introduce themselves, and ask for the approval of the young couples relationship with the aim of getting married. Photo credit thienduong.vn 3. Vietnamese spend far more of their income on funerals than Americans do. Subscribe When it comes to a Vietnamese wedding, it's a standard that you don't give a gift from the registry. The Thnh Hn follows the Vu Quy, but it takes place at the grooms family home. The enhanced bridal version (or o Di Ci) has been modernized with long trains or capes and can be paired with khn ng, a traditional circular Vietnamese headdress, that coils around the head that resembles a halo and brings a more regal feel to the attire. You will notice that the engagement process will have some similarities in the next article when the groom and his family come to retrieve the bride after the wedding ceremony takes place. Christmas is one of the four most important festivals of the Vietnamese year, including the birthday of Buddha, the New Year and the Mid-autumn Festival. Vietnamese weddings can be intimidating for a foreigner, but don't worry, we've got you covered with this informative article. 219 Kallang Bahru, #04-00 Chutex Building, Singapore 339348, The opinions expressed by our users do not reflect the official position of TheSmartLocal.com or its staff. FUNERALS - IMPORTANT TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS. 482 1 6 16. The couple recently welcomed their second child shortly after tying the knot in Hawaii. Get Our Wedding Planner App On Your Mobile Device. Lion Dancers 1. As that is the common procedure of a wedding, if you prefer to present other gifts, you should tell the bride and groom in advance that you want to give them a present instead of money.