Thao and her Irish partner, Eoin, chose to have a traditional wedding in Thao’s hometown of Hanoi. The event is interesting because it mixes Vietnamese customs with an Irish symbol, the Claddagh ring.

The couple spent more than a year planning the ceremony, adding Vietnamese rituals and the Irish Claddagh ring. At first, about 40 guests said they would come, but after hearing about the Vietnamese customs, the number grew to 65, Thao said. The invitations were sent many months before the wedding.

The 65 guests arrived from Australia and Ireland a few days before the ceremony and stayed in hotels in the Old Quarter. After the wedding, the groom’s family said they were deeply moved by the sense of togetherness and close family bonds among Vietnamese people, Thao said. Their reaction shows how the wedding helped families feel close.

After the celebration, Thao and Eoin went back to Australia. Eoin works in construction, while Thao is a preschool teacher and creates English‑learning content.