Vietnamese Tea Ceremony

ZumWhere Phu Nhuan

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

So this photo reflects how we started and how we still are! Sweaty &amp; out of breath on set I think this is the first actual photo we took together as a couple and it was during our Thesis Production while we are getting our Master Degree in Film at Full Sail University , Florida. So where to start? Let see, we were classmates in Master. First impression? Nick thought I was the biggest dork! You know, typical Asian student stuffs: sitting in front, raising my hand too eagerly, trying too hard , prolonging class time with my presentation. What can I say ! I am an immigrant. I had to double down. My impression about Nick? Too much beard, sitting in the back, vanishing as soon as the bell rang and I didn’t get his joke most of the time. I think most people knew us at that point would agree us being together might be the furthest thing they can think of. Guess what? WE ARE GETTING MARRIED

This is US!

So how did we become something special? Around February 2019, I was trying really hard to put together my 2nd short film named The Masterpiece. I did not have a car at the time so running around trying to figure out the financial &amp; logistic sides was exhausting and in a way pretty lonely. I remembered that one time I pitched my idea to our instructor and the class in order to get some support for the film. I was tearing up. At the end of the class, Nick approached me saying that he will help what he can in my total surprise. I offered him an important role in camera department. I thought that was it but after that Nick offered to take me around , get all kinda stuffs for the film , pick me up and drop me off and we started to talk more. He physically &amp; emotionally supported me through the film and that how our story began

THE MASTERPIECE THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER

We graduated on the same day after being together for 6 months. Nick encouraged me to move to Atlanta together where we can follow our passion of working professionally in film industry. It was a big leap for me but Nick was totally right and that was one of the best decision we ever made

GRADUATING &  STARTING OUR FILM CAREER IN ATLANTA

Nick proposed to me on May 8th 2020 on Jackson Bridge in New Hampshire! Around March 2020, I was on a production in Colorado for a month while Nick was on another one in Atlanta. Nick realized how hard it was being far away from each other and that was when he had a gut feeling that he wanted to marry me. He scheduled a video call with my Mom and Brother and asked for their blessing. During pandemic, we stayed with his family in New Hampshire for about 2 months and he decided to propose then since New Hampshire has always been his favorite place from childhood. The engagement ring was passed down from Vo, Nick's grandma and that's why it was really special to us. Vo recently passed in March 2022 and we are grateful to have a important piece of her that will be there with us in our relationship Fun fact: Nick planned to propose on May 7th instead of 8th but I accidentially got high on the previous night, had a panic attack and spent the whole night in the bathroom. Nick was there to hold my hair up and that's how I know this is the man I want to marry

HE ASKED AND I SAID YES!

We actually eloped in Georgia on June 25th 2020! We did not know when pandemic would end and we didn't want to wait to officially be together. It was a little ceremony by the water at the national park called Hard Labor Creek Park. We were lucky to have Nick's parents and our roommates there to share the happiness with us but now we want to celebrate one more time with everyone that couldn't be there

CAN'T WAIT LONGER TO BE TOGETHER!

Our Story

Wedding Photos

MOMENTS FROM OUR ELOPEMENT BACK IN 2020!

SLICES OF OUR LIFE

Life Photos

Nga Nguyen

Dat Nguyen

Nicole Ouelette-Medeiros

Donald Medeiros

Brian Perry

Christine Perry

Khanh Trinh

My Ngo

Khe Nguyen

Hung Dang

Tony Dire

Anders Brandon

Wyatt Martineau

Wedding Party

Q + A

Please note that to enter Vietnam, you need a passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond the date of your arrival You can apply for a Vietnamese single-entry e-visa at the website of the Vietnam Immigration Department   With this visa , you can stay in Vietnam up to 30 day.   Check this link for further information about the e-visa application

Visa To Vietnam For US Citizens

TRANSPORTATION

TAXI:Check with your hotel to see if they offer airport pickupIf the hotel doesn't provide transportation, install a Grab app on your phone (it's like Uber) and book your ride from there.Another way to get to your hotel is taking a cab at the airport. However, try to avoid the several touts that walk around the area and ask if you need a cab. This kind of chaps can be expected to be scammers of the first order. Take a left (to the far end) and you will see the line of taxis. You want a green or white car that says 'Vinasun' or 'Mai Linh' taxi, avoid the yellow ones. Make sure they start the meter, and you will need to pay a small airport charge on top of your fare at the end. You can contact them via (+84)28 38 272727 - Vinasun or (+84)28 3838 3838 - Mai Linh taxi (you can get a SIM card at the airport).

From The Airport

WALK:You can walk around the city and see most of the major tourist attractions (use Google for the resources) just be aware of the humid weather and you'll need your wits about you crossing the road. When crossing the road, walk slowly and steadily, watching the traffic and keeping your arm up. Fight the urge to speed up, dodge scooters, and generally Frogger your way across the street.When walking on a sidewalk with a baby or toddler, a baby carrier may be a better idea than a troller. The sidewalks in Vietnam are not built with flat concrete and the brick tiles are bumpy and not comfortable for the baby to ride in.&nbsp;Plus with the traffic situation, it's not advisable to push your stroller down the street either. RIDE SHARE OR TAXI:Grab, Gojek or Bee are awesome apps to get around the city with good pricing. You can also get taxis. We highly recommend using Google Maps to follow the taxi's route between your departure and destination, and if you let the taxi driver see that, it usually keeps them honest in cases where they might be inclined to stray if they could.&nbsp;Have a written address/hotel card to show the driver as well. FYI, Vinasun or Mai Linh taxis are the trustable taxi brands in Vietnam.&nbsp; XE OM/ MOTORBIKE TAXI​If you want to experience something new, you can find a “xe om” (motorbike taxi) on any street corner.&nbsp;Be prepared to haggle and wear a piece of polystyrene for a helmet. Grab and Bee mobile apps also provide motorbike taxis.&nbsp; CYCLO:Cyclo: The three-wheeled cyclo is a diminishing transportation in Saigon, mostly found nearby popular landmarks, temples, restaurants, and bars. Most travelers opt for cyclo to travel between the city sights or short trips within District 1. Traveling via cyclo can be quite a memorable experience. However, due to the bustling traffic in Ho Chi Minh City, we don't recommend taking an all-day cyclo tour. DOUBLE DECK BUS: see <a href="https://hopon-hopoff.vn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this link</a>Ho Chi Minh City tour Hop on – Hop off is a flexible and convenient tour which combines transportation and sightseeing many visitor highlights of Ho Chi Minh by double-decker buses.You can get on and off the bus at any bus stop during daily the trip.Stay as long as you want at each sightseeing stop, then catch any of the Hop-On Hop-Off buses making the loop when you are ready to go.Ho Chi Minh City tour Hop on – Hop off has 13 stops going through more than 20 famous attractions, allowing travelers to explore and experience the city in their own way.Bus arrives approximately every 30 minutes, operate from 8h30AM to 18h00Ticket is valid for 24/48 hours.Equipped with multi-languages audio guides automatically: English, French, Germany, Spanish, Russia, Chinese, Bahasa Malay-Indonesia, VNese,…Booking online 24/7, check-in via e-ticket. BICYCLE AND MOTORCYCLE RENTAL:Bicycle and motorcycle rentals are available all over Vietnam, but consider the city's chaotic traffic in Saigon. Most hotels can help arrange bicycle and motorcycle rentals for you, but these come with very inflated prices. We recommend going to Pham Ngu Lao street for better pricing. Public Bicycle Rental was also put into operation recently around District 1 area ( center of the city). The fee is expected to be VND5,000 (US$0.22) per 30 minutes and VND10,000 ($0.44) per hour and easily paid through the TNGO mobile app.

Around the City

ACCOMMODATION

This is the 5-star hotel option for our guests. Mai House is 8 minutes driving distance from the wedding venue, 20 minutes driving distance from Tan Son Nhat International Airport and 15 minutes driving distance from the Bride's home, where the tea ceremony will be held. The great thing is it is walking distance to center of the city as well

Mai House Saigon Hotel

This is the middle option in price range for our guests and the closest accommodation from the wedding venue. This hotel is 2 minutes walking distance from the wedding venue, 5 minute driving distance from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport and 15 minutes driving distance from the Bride's home, where the traditional tea ceremony will be held

The Alcove Library Hotel

Travel

IN HO CHI MINH CITY

Surrounded by royal palm trees, the dissonant 1960s architecture of this government building and the eerie mood that accompanies a walk through its deserted halls make it an intriguing spectacle. Saigon's answer to Buckingham Palace. This site marked the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates.

Reunification Palace

The Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh is a beautifully preserved remnant of French colonial times and perhaps the grandest post office in all of Southeast Asia. Located next door to Notre Dame Cathedral, the two cultural sites can be visited together and offers visitors a chance to imagine life in Vietnam during the times of the Indochinese Empire.

Post Office/City Hall/ Cathedral & Opera House

Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 is a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art, and other souvenirs. Here, you’ll find eating stalls inside the market where you can get a taste of hawker-style Vietnamese cuisine or simply cool off with a cold drink when the bargaining becomes too much.

Ben Thanh Market

​Free flow booze with a sunset.&nbsp;

Bonsai Cruise

Center of backpacker district, like Koh San Road in Bangkok. Always full of life. Housing boisterous street bars and pubs, cheap eats, live music, and a casual ambiance, Bui Vien Street is a popular place for backpackers looking to mingle with fun-loving locals.

Bui Vien Walking Street

As well as contemporary art, much of it (unsurprisingly) inspired by war, the museum displays historical pieces dating back to the 4th century.

Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts

OUTSIDE HO CHI MINH CITY:

Da Nang marks the halfway point between the capital in the north. Apart from some shopping highlights and historical sights, the main reason for most travellers staying here is its proximity to the well-known My Khe Beach, Lang Co Beach, Hoi An and My Son.

DA NANG 

Hoi An has no airport, and no train station either. The only way to get there is by road. You can hire a taxi from the neighboring city of Da Nang, which does have an airport with daily flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other large Vietnamese cities. Just over an hour’s flight north from Ho Chi Minh City, you fly into Da Nang and take a 45 minute taxi to Hoi An. It's an old fishing village that is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Small, quiet, touristy and amazing food. One of our favorite spots in Vietnam. Famous for tailor-made clothing, jewelry, shoes and bags.&nbsp;

HOI AN

3 hours north is Hue. There, you can find the Imperial City, a walled palace within the citadel of the city and the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The building was built in 1362 and is another UNESCO site.

Hanoi is the capital city, 2 hour flight north of HCM. Much different feel to Saigon, and a different climate. A great place to explore on foot, this French-colonial city is also known for its delectable cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, as well as a multi-cultural community that’s made up of Chinese, French and Russian influences. From there you can visit Ha Long Bay and witness the giant limestone formations and caves on an overnight boat cruise. Ha Long Bay is arguably Vietnam’s most recognised landscape, boasting over 1,600 limestone islands and islets. Located in northern Vietnam, the UNESCO-listed bay features a wide range of biodiversity, while the surrealistic scenery has been featured in plenty of films throughout the years. Sapa is also fantastic, but you need time to travel there. Take a 10pm overnight train from Hanoi and arrive early hours 5 am. Once there hire a guide and trek all over the hills to see ethnic minority tribes.

HANOI / SAPA / HA LONG BAY

Is the capital city of Lam Dong province, Vietnam. Da Lat is the City of Flowers and honeymooners with lovely French villas, the fresh air, the beautiful waterfalls, and gorgeous lakes sit in a lush and green valley of postcard beauty.

DA LAT

It is only a 40-minute flight from HCM and has some beautiful beaches and good swimming. Yes, there can be rubbish on odd spots but it is generally pretty clean. Also an interesting place, there is an old prison complete with mannequins depicting torture techniques, the island is also famous for its black pepper and fish sauce. Loads of accommodation options from budget bungalows to fancy resorts.

Duyen & Nicholas

Duyen & Nicholas

Life Photos

MOMENTS FROM OUR ELOPEMENT BACK IN 2020!

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SLICES OF OUR LIFE