Editor's note: In this heartfelt piece, Indian Akshay Sharma reflects on his cross-cultural wedding with his Vietnamese wife -- a ceremony that blended traditions and celebrated love without borders.

Vietnam has been my home for 12 years -- a place where I’ve not only lived but deeply connected with its culture and people. Throughout my time here, I’ve fallen in love with the warmth, traditions, and strong family values that shape Vietnamese life. And in this beautiful country, I found the love of my life.

When my wife and I decided to get married, we knew our wedding had to be more than just a union of two individuals; it had to be a beautiful blend of two rich cultures -- Vietnamese and Indian. We wanted to honor both our heritage values and allow our families and friends to witness and experience traditions from both sides. The result was a wedding that seamlessly intertwined the rituals, attire, food, and spiritual customs of both cultures, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Honoring ancestors and seeking blessings

Both Vietnamese and Indian cultures deeply respect their ancestors and believe in seeking their blessings at the beginning of a new chapter in life. Our wedding started with the Gia Tiên ceremony, a sacred Vietnamese ritual where we presented traditional offerings, including the five symbolic wedding fruits, and paid homage to our ancestors. Wearing the traditional áo dài, my wife and I bowed before the ancestral altar, seeking guidance and blessings for our journey ahead.

On the Indian side, we conducted the Ganesh Puja, a prayer to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, ensuring a harmonious and prosperous married life. Just as in Vietnamese culture, family elders played a significant role in blessing our union, reinforcing the shared values of respect and familial bonds.

Traditional attire: A fusion of elegance

Weddings are as much about tradition as they are about aesthetics, and we embraced both cultures through our clothing. For the Gia Tiên ceremony, my wife wore a beautifully traditional áo dài, paired with silk pants, representing the grace and elegance of Vietnamese brides. Meanwhile, I also wore an áo dài for men, reflecting the traditional Vietnamese groom’s attire.

For the Indian wedding ceremony, my wife transformed into a radiant Indian bride in a stunning lehenga, a heavily hand-embroidered skirt paired with a choli (blouse) and a long, flowing dupatta (scarf). This attire is a symbol of prosperity, femininity, and grace in Indian culture. As for me, I donned a classic sherwani, a regal long coat, accompanied by a hand-embroidered safa (turban), symbolizing dignity and pride. Many of our guests, regardless of nationality, enthusiastically embraced the cultural exchange by dressing in either áo dài or sarees, adding to the vibrant and colorful atmosphere.

The Phere ceremony: A modern twist to an ancient tradition

One of the most sacred moments of any Indian wedding is the Phere ceremony, where the bride and groom take seven rounds around the holy fire, each round representing a vow to each other. While traditionally conducted inside a temple or mandap, we chose to modernize this ritual by hosting it in open nature, next to one of the most breathtaking lakes in Vietnam. The serene surroundings, the reflection of the sky on the water, and the fresh air made the experience deeply spiritual and unforgettable.

As we walked hand in hand around the fire, we took oaths of love, respect, and lifelong companionship. This moment was more than just a ritual; it was a promise -- one that transcended culture and language, binding us together on a journey of mutual understanding and unwavering support.

A celebration of cultures, food, and togetherness

Food is an essential element of both Indian and Vietnamese celebrations. One of the things that made our wedding truly special was our commitment to sustainability and mindful living, reflected in our entirely green and vegan menu. We carefully curated a feast that honored both Vietnamese and Indian culinary traditions while ensuring that every dish was plant-based, flavorful, and meaningful.

On the Vietnamese side, our guests enjoyed unique and delicious dishes such as paté atiso (artichoke pâté), nem vuông (square spring rolls), hoành thánh sốt cà ri (wontons in curry sauce), cơm lam (bamboo sticky rice), and the comforting sweetness of chè bà ba (a coconut-based dessert soup).

From Indian cuisine, we served classic delights like samosa (crispy stuffed pastries), kaju katli (cashew fudge), and besan ladoo (sweet chickpea flour balls).

This fusion of plant-based Vietnamese and Indian dishes not only created a unique dining experience but also reflected our values of sustainability, health, and cultural harmony. Our guests, whether familiar with these flavors or trying them for the first time, embraced the diversity of tastes, making it a truly unforgettable part of our wedding celebration.

The beginning of a beautiful journey

Looking back, our wedding was not just a ceremony; it was a bridge between two beautiful cultures, a moment where traditions met and created something extraordinary. Through the combination of Vietnamese and Indian customs, we didn’t just celebrate love -- we celebrated the beauty of cultural connection, respect, and harmony.

The presence of family and friends from across the world, coming together to witness and celebrate this union, whether they were participating in the tea ceremony, embracing Indian dance traditions, or simply sharing laughter and conversations, their love and support were the most valuable gifts we could have received.

As we step into this new chapter together, we carry forward the blessings of our ancestors, the warmth of our families, and the love of our friends. The fusion of our cultures is not just reflected in our wedding but in our everyday lives, as we continue to embrace and honor both traditions.

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