Counting down to the ceremonyMarch 13, 2027 · Hoi An
4:00 PM · Saturday, March 13, 2027 · Vietnam time (GMT+7)
Saturday, March 13, 2027
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Mai and Ethan are married. Thank you for celebrating with us, in person or from the other side of the world.
Our story
Mai tells it, Ethan chimes in here and there. Five short chapters: just scroll as usual, and each scene will pause so you can read.
2022 · Saigon
It was July, and the rain came down just as Mai left work. Under the awning of a tiny café, a very tall guy held up his phone and asked for directions in app-taught Vietnamese. She pointed the way, the rain kept pouring, so they ordered two iced coffees with condensed milk instead.
“He was asking for directions to a café. It was the one we were standing in.”
2023 · Saigon – Portland
Ethan moved back to Portland for work, and his breakfast became Mai's midnight snack. They learned to love across time zones: good-night texts sent at sunrise, calls at midnight, and a shared calendar counting down the days to the next flight.
“My Saturday morning is her Saturday night. We meet in the middle.”
2024 · Two family dinners
That Lunar New Year, Ethan spent a week practicing “Con chào bác ạ,” a polite hello to her parents, and still shook at the year-end family dinner at Mai's. In November it was Mai's turn: her first Thanksgiving in Portland, her first slice of pumpkin pie, and Ethan's mom telling stories about him as a kid.
2025 · Hoi An
On the fourteenth night of the lunar new year, the old town dims its streetlights and lets the lanterns glow. Ethan asked Mai to float a paper lantern on the river with him, then fumbled with a small red box in his pocket. Mai said yes before he could finish the Vietnamese sentence he'd practiced for three months.
2026 – 2027 · Hoi An
Mai's mom picked the date, ordered the áo dài and planned the betrothal trays; Ethan's parents learned to wrap bánh tét from a video and booked their flights back in August. Grandma's red tea set has been polished, ready for the tea ceremony on the morning of March 13.
“The next chapter, we'd love to write with you.”
Schedule
Saturday, March 13, 2027, Vietnam time (GMT+7). Join us for the whole day, or just the ceremony and dinner; the RSVP form lets you choose. Sunday's farewell breakfast is optional.
8:30 AM
Where: the bride's family home, on a quiet lane in the old town.
What to wear: áo dài, or smart attire (a collared shirt, a long dress or skirt).
The two families light incense to share the news with their ancestors, and we serve tea to our parents. It's an intimate hour for family and close friends, and the Vietnamese heart of the day.
4:00 PM
Where: a lawn by the Thu Bon River, about a 10-minute drive from the old town.
What to wear: light colors, and flat shoes: we'll be on grass.
A short ceremony in two languages: vows, rings, then family photos as the sun goes down.
6:30 PM
Where: the same spot, under a lantern-lit veranda.
What to wear: cocktail attire; áo dài always welcome.
Eight courses of central Vietnamese food served one after another, cake, a few toasts from both families, then dancing until 10 PM.
9:30 AM · Sunday, March 14
Where: a riverside café in the old town.
What to wear: whatever's comfy.
Cao lầu noodles, Vietnamese drip coffee and goodbyes before everyone heads to the airport. Drop by whenever you wake up.
Venues
The tea ceremony is at Mai's family home in the old town. The ceremony and reception are on a riverside lawn about ten minutes away. We'll email the exact addresses once you RSVP.
Customs
Four little things that'll make you feel like family. Nobody's keeping score, so just come and enjoy it.
In the morning, both families light incense at the family altar to tell their ancestors the news, and the couple serves tea to their parents. Guests stand toward the back, bow when everyone bows, and keep phones away until the family photographer waves you in.
The áo dài is Vietnam's long silk tunic, worn over trousers, and guests of any gender are welcome to wear one; Mai's family will be thrilled. Just skip all-white (that's for the bride) and head-to-toe black. Tailors in Hoi An can make one in a day or two.
Vietnamese guests give cash in an envelope rather than a boxed gift. You hand it to the couple when they come around to your table, or drop it in the gift box at the entrance. There's no registry to shop from.
Dinner comes in many courses, one after another. When the bride and groom reach your table, everyone stands, shouts “Một, hai, ba, dô!” (one, two, three, cheers!) and clinks glasses. Not drinking? Raise your water; it counts.
Travel & stay
For everyone flying in, especially Ethan's side coming from the U.S. Entry rules and paperwork change, so please double-check before you book.
Da Nang International Airport is the closest to Hoi An. From the U.S. you'll usually connect through a major Asian hub. The drive from the airport to Hoi An takes about 45 minutes.
Most international visitors need a visa, and many nationalities can apply for an e-visa online. The rules change over time, so check the current requirements on Vietnam's official immigration website before you travel.
It's the dry season: days are usually warm and pleasant, and evenings by the river a little cooler. Pack a light layer for the reception, sunscreen for the morning and comfortable walking shoes.
The old town: walk to the tea ceremony and to dinner, with lanterns at night. An Bang Beach: quieter, about a 10-minute drive away. We'll send a list of suggestions with your RSVP confirmation.
Walk or rent a bike in the old town. For longer trips, use Grab (Southeast Asia's version of Uber) or a taxi. On the wedding day, a shuttle runs from the old town to the ceremony and back after the reception.
The currency is the Vietnamese đồng (VND). Hotels and bigger restaurants take cards; markets and small shops are cash only. ATMs and banks are the easiest way to get cash.
Photos
A few corners of town we keep going back to, and a few things already waiting for March 13.
RSVP
Please reply by January 15, 2027 so both families can save your seat and give the kitchen a headcount. One reply per household is plenty.
Gifts
If you'd still like to give something, here's how each side of the family usually does it.
Sample Bank · Account 0000 0000 0000
Account holder: NGUYEN THANH MAI
This is sample information: the QR code and account number don't work. Couples using this template replace them with their own.
For our American guests: Vietnamese weddings don't have registries. Guests bring a card or envelope with cash and hand it to us when we stop by your table, or drop it in the gift box at the entrance.
Dollars or đồng are both fine, so there's no need to exchange money.
FAQ
Don't see yours? Add it to the note in the RSVP form and we'll answer by email.
Yes, kids are always welcome. Count them in “Total guests” and add their ages in your note so the kitchen can plan seats and meals.
Tea ceremony: áo dài or smart attire. Wedding ceremony: light colors and flat shoes for the grass. Reception: cocktail attire. We only ask that you skip all-white and head-to-toe black.
Both. Our officiant speaks Vietnamese, one of Ethan's friends will translate into English, and we'll say our vows in both languages.
During the tea ceremony, please leave it to the family photographer. From the wedding ceremony on, snap away, and please send us your photos!
Around 10 PM. The shuttle back to the old town makes two runs, at 9:00 PM and 10:15 PM.
Yes. A shuttle leaves the old town for the ceremony at 3:15 PM and brings everyone back after the reception. From Da Nang airport, take a Grab or a taxi; it's about 45 minutes.
January 15, 2027. You can still message us after that, but we may not be able to save you a seat.
Tell us in the “Vegetarian, or any allergies?” field of the form, and the kitchen will prepare your meal separately.
March 13, 2027 · Hoi An
See you in Hoi An, by the Thu Bon River, on Saturday afternoon, March 13.