The wedding is one of the most important traditions of Vietnamese with many customs. Like other countries, this ceremony is also considered the happiest event of one’s life. Have a look at What to Know about Vietnamese Wedding Traditions and Customs guide to understand more about Vietnamese weddings.
Engagement Ceremony
Engagement ceremony or the Đám Hỏi, depending on the regions, it happens one day or event the half-year before the wedding. The engagement ceremony is considered as an announcement to family members and friends about the upcoming wedding. It’s an official sign, saying that the girlfriend and the boyfriend are now fianceé. It is a formal meeting between the two families to exchange gifts and discuss the wedding plans. The bride and groom typically wear traditional Vietnamese clothing, such as the Áo Dài. The groom’s family will bring gifts to the bride’s family, such as fruit, tea, and jewelry. The bride’s family will then return the gifts with their own gifts, such as money and clothing.
Wedding Ceremony
The date of the wedding, and also that of the engagement, is chosen carefully and usually decided by a Buddhist monk or a fortune teller. Before the wedding, the groom’s family will come to the bride’s home again with betel and areca as a gift, officially asking to receive the bride. The bride’s family will confirm one last time the wedding and other proceedings.
Ladies and women are all dressed in Ao Dai. Men could be in their suits or men traditional Ao Dai. The troop is usually led by a couple that is most wealthy and successful among the relatives, this means to wish the to-be-wed couples a blessing in life together in the future.
The groom’s family would stop in front of the bride’s house. The leading couple should enter the house first with a tray with wine. They would invite the bride’s parents to take a sip. By accepting the toast, the bride’s family agrees for the groom’s family to enter their house.
The groom’s family would introduce themselves and ask permission for their son to marry his bride. The master of the ceremony (usually a respected person among the bride’s relatives) instructs the bride’s parents to present their daughter. The bride then follows her parents out. She will wear red traditional wedding ao dai, followed by her bride maids. The couple should pray before the altar ask their ancestors for permission for their marriage, then express their gratitude to both groom’s and bride’s parents for raising and protecting them.
Then, they bow their head to each other to show their gratitude and respect toward their soon-to-be husband or wife. The master of the ceremony would gave the wedding couple advices on starting a new family. Their parents would take turn to share their experience and give blessing. After that, the groom and the bride exchange their wedding rings and receive the gifts from their parents such as golden bracelets, ear rings, necklace… The ceremony is ended with a round applause.
Tea & Candle Lighting Ceremony
The Tea Ceremony combines the celebration of marriage with honoring the family’s ancestors and relatives. This makes it one of the most compelling and emotional parts of a Vietnamese wedding. It is considered the proper meeting of both families, and it is also when the bride and groom take their vows and exchange their rings. Once the exchange has occurred, both the bride and groom will serve Green Tea as a sign of respect, starting with the eldest family members.
Another important Vietnamese wedding tradition is the candle lighting ceremony. This ceremony is a way for the bride and groom to symbolize their union and their commitment to each other. The bride and groom will light two big dragon and phoenix candles, symbolizing the fusion of two families.They will then place the two candles together to form a single flame, symbolizing their union as one.
Reception
After the wedding ceremony is over, there will be a party at the groom’s house. Some traditional Vietnamese wedding party is celebrated at their houses (usually in country-side); other is celebrated in the restaurant. This day is the culmination of desires, day dreams, hopes and anxieties. There is a band to play music during their meal. Some guests are free to sing related wedding songs on the stage to luck the bride and the groom. In the middle of the party, the couple goes to each table to get wishes, congratulations as well as money.
Today, a lot of Vietnamese couples have their wedding ceremony done in Temples or Churches which is very much similar to American and Western style, including exchanging vows and wedding rings. However, they still maintain Vietnamese traditional ceremony in the bride’s home before heading to temples or churches.
What Gifts to Bring to a Vietnamese Wedding
Money is always a welcome gift for the wedding in Vietnam as it helps the bride and groom to offset the cost of the wedding. You should put the lucky money into the envelope which contains the wedding invitation card. 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.
Vietnamese wedding traditions are rich and diverse, reflecting the country’s long history and culture. The wedding ceremony is a special time for the bride and groom to celebrate their love and commitment to each other, and to honor their families and ancestors.
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