Young people cherish their marriage.

In 2017, Tram Anh (from Dak Lak province) temporarily left her hometown to work as a translator in Japan. There, she met Kakita (39 years old), a Japanese lawyer. After three years of dating, they decided to get married. At that time, Tram Anh was only 23 years old.

Tram Anh and her husband are building a happy life together. (Photo provided by the subject)

Early but not hasty.

Having been independent since childhood, Tram Anh didn't find it too difficult to live and build a career in a foreign country. Marrying a much older man of a different nationality wasn't a major issue for her. However, maintaining a warm and loving marriage while still young and inexperienced required serious effort and careful attention from her.

Before getting married, Tram Anh and Kakita had many frank discussions about their shared concerns, including income, future housing plans, spending habits, having children, and raising them. After reaching an agreement, they informed their families, prepared financially, and underwent pre-marital health checkups and care. "Before getting married, I made it a habit to observe my boyfriend very carefully, to see if his personality was compatible with mine. I was also ready to show my true self to him. Although I got married quite young, I don't think it was hasty, because we were well prepared from both sides. Three years of dating was enough time for my husband and I to understand each other. That's why, from the time we were dating until we moved in together, there wasn't a clear boundary for changes in our personalities and feelings," Tram Anh confided.

The female translator spends time outlining both short-term and long-term plans for her family. According to her, whether marrying a foreigner or a Vietnamese person, preparation is necessary, and marriage should only truly proceed when both parties have reached a mutual agreement. Many young people marry prematurely in haste, without thorough understanding, leading to short-lived or even painful marriages. Tram Anh and her husband see this as a cautionary tale to build their own happiness.

Lam Minh Thanh's small family. (Photo provided by the subject)

Sharing leads to lasting happiness.

Many young people understand that marriage is a significant turning point. Being ready to enter married life also means knowing how to temper one's ego, not just living for oneself, but also knowing how to love one's partner and build happiness together.

At the age of 24, Lam Minh Thanh (from Binh Duong) decided to start a family. Although he and his partner had been together for eight years, they still faced many challenges when entering marriage. At the time of their decision to get married, neither Thanh nor his wife had much savings, so they worked together wholeheartedly to ensure their financial stability.

After two years of marriage, Mr. Thanh and his wife have welcomed their first daughter. Married life has taught him many new lessons; he has had to work much harder to fulfill his responsibilities as both a husband and a father. Since having a child, Mr. Thanh has come to appreciate life and family values even more.

"The pressures of raising children and finances have somewhat affected our relationship. Of course, we have conflicts, and during those times, I try to be patient, express my perspective to my wife so that we can both understand and resolve the issues together," Thành recounted.

That's also the view of Mr. Tran Chanh Hoang (28 years old, residing in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City). Before getting married at the age of 26, Mr. Hoang spent time living together with his partner. For him, this can also be considered an important step towards a happy marriage. "That's the decisive moment if a marriage will be sustainable because at that time both partners reveal their personalities and begin to get to know each other in every aspect. No one is perfectly compatible with anyone else; you need to let go of your ego and accept change to achieve harmony," Mr. Hoang explained.

Thanks to early planning and sharing, Mr. Hoang's married life is now quite smooth. The young couple diligently saved and made sensible calculations to own their own apartment.

For a lasting bond, there needs to be agreement not just at a particular moment, but throughout life. Life is constantly changing, and it's difficult to guarantee smooth sailing without conflict. This is when listening and understanding are especially crucial. In Tram Anh's family, when disagreements arise or her partner faces challenges, sharing and empathy are the "remedies" to overcome difficulties. She says: "After three years of marriage, I've found that the important elements are love, trust, and understanding. That's the foundation for a couple to go the distance together." The young woman learned how to love her family and how to care for and treat her partner from her mother and other married people around her.

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