Guests roll up trousers, stand in floodwaters for wedding party

Rising waters from the Thach Han River submerged the wedding reception area for Thai Huynh and Duong My in Trieu Phong commune by 40 cm, requiring guests to roll up their trousers and stand to enjoy the meal.

On the afternoon of 13/9, as the family prepared for the pre-wedding feast for groom Thai Huynh and bride Duong My, both 28 years old and from Tan Duc village, Trieu Phong commune, the Thach Han River unexpectedly rose. Water overflowed into the yard, reaching a depth of over 40 cm.

Le Phuoc Sanh, a 36-year-old wedding service provider, posted a video on social media showing guests standing in floodwaters to enjoy the meal. The video garnered tens of thousands of interactions. Many people expressed sympathy for the residents of central Vietnam and sent well wishes to the couple.

Relatives and friends gathered for an intimate meal at the bride's home in Tan Duc village, Trieu Phong (Quang Tri), on the afternoon of 13/9. Source: Le Phuoc Sanh

Groom Thai Huynh stated that he and his wife work in Da Nang and had chosen their wedding date months in advance.

The meteorological agency reported that due to the influence of a tropical depression combined with a tropical convergence zone, from the evening of 13/9 to the morning of 14/9, the area from southern Nghe An to northern Quang Tri experienced widespread rainfall of 60-100 mm, with some localized areas receiving over 100 mm.

Leading up to the wedding, the weather in Thai Huynh's hometown featured light to moderate rain, with occasional sunny spells. Around 12h on 13/9, floodwaters suddenly rose, submerging the main road. Two hours later, the water flowed into the house yard.

"This area is low-lying, so everyone is accustomed to flooding. This time, the water receded slower than expected, but the family still held the small, intimate meal," Thai Huynh recounted.

The party began at 16h, with water reaching approximately 40 cm, nearly level with the seats. Despite this, relatives and close friends arrived in full attendance. Higher ground areas were reserved for elderly guests, while others cheerfully rolled up their trousers and stood to eat. The family raised all electrical equipment to ensure safety.

"I have been in the wedding service industry for many years, but this is my first time attending an intimate meal right in the middle of a flood; everyone was excited," Sanh commented.

Guests waded through water to attend the intimate meal at bride Duong My's home in Tan Duc village, Trieu Phong (Quang Tri), on the afternoon of 13/9. Photo: Le Phuoc Sanh

Seeing that the flood did not recede after the evening meal, both families considered postponing the wedding. However, by 23h, the water began to gradually subside. Everyone stayed up all night, clearing mud as the water receded.

On the morning of 14/9, the water had fully receded, and the path to the bride's house was dry, allowing the wedding procession to proceed as planned.

Reviewing the widely shared video, groom Thai Huynh confided in his wife: "We got married during the flood season so that later we can tell the story of how we overcame natural disaster together."