Getting Married Vietnam Style Part X

The hired transport left the Majestic Hotel at around 3.10pm with me, the groom, slamming the dashboard and screaming obscenities at the driver. I climbed into the car. The guy looked at me and said innocently 'di dau anh?'. Two things to do. 1) Arrive at the hotel on time. 2) Actually know where they are supposed to be going. They got 25% right.

The car brought me and my parents to the alley that leads to Chi's house, my helpers for the day followed up in a wagon behind. Traditionally, the groom brings eight trays laden with gifts for the brides family. Here's me and my guys lining up in the correct order - my parents first, then me, then the rest. The trays also had to arrive at the house in a certain order, so the most important two went to my brother and sister, stood behind me.

The procession got going once a delegation from the bride's house had straightened our lapels. Does this look like a sight that would halt half of Binh Thanh district in its tracks, cause it did.

Next we turn the corner and are greeted by Chi's helpers for the day -- here my sister and friends arriving.

Inside the arrangements are simple. I stand in the corner. My parents sit at the table with her parents. My boys line the wall sat on plastic stalls. The other half of the room is taken up with Chi's relatives and friends. All in all around 30 people in a very small room on a hot day -- number of fans avaliable : 1. Everybody is ready, and Chi comes from upstairs to join me. First I present her with the manly bouquet I had carried across town.

Next the trays were uncovered to reveal their sumptuous contents -- fruit, wine, cake, more cake and some cakes.

Next, if memory serves correctly, we handed out symbolic cups of wine to the folks. My memory is only hazy due to heat exhaustion. It was the hottest wedding ceremony on record. 30 people in a brightly lit room in the middle of the day in Vietnam with no aircon -- not a good idea -- and of course there's nothing like being the center of attention to add an extra bead of sweat to your brow. I was continually being handed small paper tissues to stem the flow, but even a 5 star bath towel would've struggled with that job.

Next, the rings went on

And then the old man was called on to make a speech. Fully unprepared, he did a good job, despite the cause of my amusement in this picture, heckling from my brother.

So that's about it. Here's what it looked like from above.

And here's my boys tucking into the wedding cake -- from right to left -- Bernard and Richard from the Raiders, Gabe who is a teaching colleague, my brother Jamie, my old school friend and best mate who somehow managed to make it to Vietnam James, and finally captain of the Raiders Pierre.

Cheers boys!

Part 6 & 7 to follow this week.