WHAT DOES THE MODERN VIETNAMESE WEDDING CEREMONY HAVE?

In Vietnamese culture, marriage is an important event in a person’s life. It is also from that concept that the wedding has many procedures, and ceremonies and is somewhat cumbersome for today’s life. To better suit the needs of the times, the modern wedding ceremony has been streamlined, with elegant and innovative dress choices that still retain the traditional features.

The entrance ceremony (Lễ dạm ngõ)

The entrance ceremony (Lễ dạm ngõ)

This is a meeting between two families, as in Vietnamese culture: “the betel nut is the beginning of the story”. In this ceremony, the two families will share and talk to understand each other’s family background, work, and life. Bride – Groom, parents of two families wear polite clothes, not necessarily Ao Dai, veston.

Interrogation Ceremony (Lễ ăn hỏi)

Interrogation Ceremony (Lễ ăn hỏi)

This is the official ceremony to announce the marriage promise between the two families. The groom’s family and the crew come to the house to give gifts to the bride’s family. The bride’s family gave lucky money envelopes to return the charm. Traditional offerings include betel nut, medicinal tea, rice cake, fruit… In this ceremony, the bride often wears Ao Dai, and the groom wears a neat and polite suit. In case the bride’s family is far away, the wedding ceremony and betrothal ceremony can be held on the same day.

Marriage ceremony

Marriage ceremony

This is the official wedding day of the bride and groom. On the wedding day, the two families hold a party to invite relatives and friends. In the presence of everyone, the bride and groom exchange rings, officially becoming a husband and wife. Depending on the wishes and financial situation of the two families, the wedding size may be different. Currently, some couples do not choose to have a grand wedding but only hold a small wedding ceremony and the guests are all really close friends of the couple. Wedding attire: the bride wears a white dress – the groom wears a suit or tuxedo.

The harmony and Promoting Traditional Practices in Modern Weddings

Modern Vietnamese weddings have changed a lot, but still, keep many traditional cultural features. Some symbols from the past are still respected such as the betel nut, the word happiness, and the color red of happiness. The ancestral rituals are also preserved such as the preparation of the five-fruit tray on the altar, the burning of incense to report to the ancestors and the ceremony of lighting the lamp (common in the South). Currently, organizing a wedding that is both compact and suitable for modern life while preserving the beauty of traditional Vietnamese culture is something that many couples focus on. Because the wedding guests still have many elderly people, familiar with the old way of life, besides there are also young guests with modern styles, the harmony between traditional customs and Western cultural features will make the wedding more fun and complete.