Kính thưa các cụ các ông các bà, thưa bố mẹ và toàn thể quý vị

When I arrived three years ago in Vietnam, alone with my four suitcases, I would never have imagined
finding myself here marrying the woman with who I hope spending the rest of my life. Especially not
with 400 guests attending my wedding when I only know less than 25 persons in Nam Dinh, but that’s
another story…

After three years in Vietnam, I still often refer to myself as a “foreigner”. However, I cannot help but
realize that I feel now more at home in Vietnam than in my own country. Actually now, I feel like a
foreigner when I go back home in Canada. Yes, I always have been crazy about pho bo even before
coming to Vietnam but if I feel that happy here it is mostly due to the hospitality that everyone has
always shown me wherever I went. Starting with my Vietnamese family members. And I am infinitely
grateful to them for that.

Something else I must say is that Vietnamese know how to organize nice family events and today it is for
me a very unique example.

Xin cam on bo me and everybody else who made this special day possible.

Xin cảm ơn bố mẹ và tất cả mọi người đã ủng hộ và giúp đỡ để chúng tôi có được ngày
đặc biệt này
I also want to thank my parents and my sisters who have made the trip…for a second time in Vietnam to
visit me a first time two years ago on my 40th birthday and a second time for my wedding. I also want to
thank them to have opened the doors of our family so wide to my wife, so fast and easily that I wonder
sometimes if they love her more than me now…but that is ok, I would understand why and I can live
that.

Last but not least, I want to thank my wife Chinh who has been patient and understanding enough to
see in me a man worthy enough to live happily by her side. Not the best man, but good enough. Some
might think that she is crazy, me included, to accept this deal, but I promise that I will do everything I
can not to disappoint you.

Thank you for your infinite kindness and your unshakeable support. Thank you for being part of my
life and making me become a better man.

Xin cảm ơn em, người phụ nữ tuyệt vời đã yêu thương và động viên anh trong suốt thời
gian qua. Cám ơn em đã trở thành một phần quan trọng trong cuộc đời anh và đã giúp
anh trở thành một người đàn ông trưởng thành hơn.
Anh yêu em