The traditional Vietnamese wedding is one of the most important ceremonies in Vietnamese culture with influence from Confucian and Buddhist ideologies. It is a significant day not only to the couple involved but also for both families. Thus, it usually includes quite a few formal ritual observances.

Depending on habits of specific ethnic groups, marriage includes various steps and related procedures, but in general, there are two main ceremonies:

Le an hoi (betrothal ceremony):

Normally, both bride and groom or their parents go to the fortuneteller to see what date and time is best for them. They strongly believe in this date and time so the groom's family and relatives must come on time. Some days before the wedding, they will visit the bride and her family with round lacquered boxes known as betrothal presents. It composes of areca nuts and betel leaves, tea, cake, fruits, wines and other delicacies which covered with red cloth and carried by unmarried girls or boys.

Le cuoi (wedding ceremony):

On the wedding day, the groom's family and relatives go to the bride's house bringing a lot of gifts wrapped in red papers. These gifts are similar to those of the engagement: betel leaves and areca nuts, wines, fruits, cakes, tea ... The persons hold these trays are also carefully chosen, usually they are happily married couples. Ladies and women are all dressed in Ago Dai. Men could be in their suits or men traditional Ao Dai. The troop is usually led by a couple that is most wealthy and successful among the relatives, this means to wish the to-be-wed couples a blessing life together in the future.

The groom's family would stop in front of the bride's house. The leading couple should enter the house first with a tray with wine. They would invite the bride's parents to take a sip. By accepting the toast, the bride's family agrees for the groom’s family to enter their house. The firework is immediately fired to greet the groom's family.

The groom's family would introduce themselves and ask permission for their son to marry his bride. The master of the ceremony (usually a respected person among the bride's relatives) instructs the bride's parents to present their daughter. The bride then follows her parents out. She will wear red traditional wedding ao dai, followed by her bride maids. The couple should pray before the altar ask their ancestors for permission for their marriage, then express their gratitude to both groom’s and bride’s parents for raising and protecting them.

Then, they bow their head to each other to show their gratitude and respect toward their soon-to-be husband or wife. The master of the ceremony would gave the wedding couple advices on starting a new family. Their parents would take turn to share their experience and give blessing. After that, the groom and the bride exchange their wedding rings and receive the gifts from their parents such as golden bracelets, ear rings, necklace... The ceremony is ended with a round applause.

After the wedding ceremony is over, there will be a party at the groom's house. Some traditional Vietnamese wedding party is celebrated at their houses (usually in country-side); other is celebrated in the restaurant. This day is the culmination of desires, day dreams, hopes and anxieties. There is a band to play music during their meal. Some guests are free to sing related wedding songs on the stage to luck the bride and the groom. In the middle of the party, the couple goes to each table to get wishes, congratulations as well as money.

A wedding Celebration is one of the most important events in a person's life, and it is also reflects the character of each country's particular culture. Americans and Vietnamese have very different cultures; therefore, their weddings have marriages ceremonies have many differences such as the engagement ceremony, wedding ceremony and receptions, and the wedding gift.

The main differences in marriage between an American and Vietnamese wedding is the engagement ceremony. It is not necessary to ask permission of couple's parent about their wedding in America. However, a Vietnamese engagement ceremony is an important one before the wedding which involves both families. On this day, their parents meet to formally discuss the wedding and agree for them to live together as husband and wife. If their parents decide that the future spouse is unsuitable; most young Vietnamese people will accept the verdict and break off the relationship. If they agree, the engagement rings are given, the both representatives introduced the members of both families in an order, and they make plans for the wedding celebration and the day to sign the marriage licenses. In general, the bride's family pays for engagement ceremony expenses, and the groom's family pays for the wedding ceremony and receptions while American bride's family pays for receptions expense.

On the wedding day, Americans and Vietnamese also have several differences. The American wedding ceremony usually takes place as a civil ceremony in a government building or religious ceremony such as church or another location, such as an outdoor venue while a Vietnamese wedding ceremony begins in front of the altar. Both Americans and Vietnamese also exchange wedding rings during the ceremony; however Vietnamese parents will take turns to sharing their experiences and give blessings and are legally empowered to marry the couple instead of a priest, minister or rabbis like in America. In addition, Vietnamese parents and other their relatives give the newly wedded couple gold bracelets, earrings and other valuable gifts.

After the wedding ceremony both American and Vietnamese wedding parties leave to join guests at a wedding reception. Sometimes, guests are invited only to the wedding ceremony or only the reception, and these events can usually be attended only by invitation. However, Vietnamese receptions are usually a large gathering, often in the hundreds and sometimes more. The groom, bride, and their family are once again introduced to the guests and invite everyone to enjoy the dishes. Dinner or lunch is served at the table, and there are at least five dishes and dessert. In contrast, American receptions can be a very simple one with only a few family member and close friends present or can be very elaborate with hundreds people in attendance. So, it can be with as simple as cookies and bunch in the church or as a large as a sit down dinner held on at a local hotel with a daises and private orchestra following dinner. In addition, red is the dominant color in a traditional Vietnamese wedding and is considered a lucky color and will lead to a rosy future while American bride usually wears a white dress.

Another important factor on the wedding day is the wedding gifts. Both American and Vietnamese couples expect wedding gift from people who received a wedding invitation. Americans receive gifts before the weeding, so guests send or deliver wedding gifts to the bride's family home before the wedding day. In contrast, Vietnamese guests give envelopes containing wedding cards, money gifts and a blessing to the newly wedded couple during the reception when the groom, bride, and their parents visit each table to thank their guests. In addition, Vietnamese customs about wedding gifts Vietnamese groom's family is totally different from the American. The groom's parents and immediate relatives are preceded by an odd number of young men smartly dressed in shirt and tie, and dark trousers. They each carry a tray covered in a red cloth, or alternatively a large red and gold canister in which contains gifts of betel leaves, areca nuts, wine, fruit, cakes, tea and so forth which depends on their decisions made at engagement ceremony. The leading couple of the groom's party enters the bride's house carrying a tray of small cups of wine and invite the brides parents to take a sip. Upon arrival the young men dismount and are met by the same number of young women dressed in red Ao Dai. The men hand the gifts to the women who take them inside. By accepting the gift, the bride's parents symbolically agree to admit the groom's party- wedding celebration.

However, influenced by modern life, the wedding celebration in both Viet Nam and American has changed. Now, Vietnamese wedding is not as complex and expensive as before and the engagement ceremony is not as important. This ceremony can happen just one day before the wedding celebration instead of one month or even one year as before; moreover, in some poor family, it is included in the wedding ceremony. The American wedding is also simpler and cheaper than before. However, no matter whether the wedding celebration is simple or complex, cheap or expensive, it is always the most important day in a person's life.

(Source: http://www.aawpa.com)