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I Photographed The Love Story Of An Old Vietnamese Couple That Has Been Together Since The 30s (15 Pics)
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I Photographed The Love Story Of An Old Vietnamese Couple That Has Been Together Since The 30s (15 Pics)

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Mr. Le Van Se (96 years old) and his wife, Ms. Nguyen Thi Loi (88 years old), live in Hoi An, Vietnam.

They fell in love with each other in the 30s and got married after 10 years. Soon after their wedding, the country fell into war again. Mr. Se joined the army and was captured by the enemy during the war. With longing and pain piling up, his wife stayed at home, waiting every day for her lost husband. In 1954, Mr. Se came home from the battlefield and the couple reunited after so many years of separation. Since then, they built a life together.

More info: nguyenvuphuoc.com

The couple has 5 children and lived with them in a small village in the outskirts of Hoi An, Quang Nam. The village is called Tra Que, famous for growing vegetables to supply to Hoi An and the surrounding areas.

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It’s easy to see that they were a rare couple. They lived happily together until they grew old. With the power of love, they overcame all difficulties in life and marriage. They cared for each other and enjoyed happiness together.

I met them nearly 10 years ago—at that time, the husband was still in good health. Every afternoon, he carried buckets of water to water the vegetables while she sat next to him and picked them. They made each other laugh and shared many conversations.

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With those beautiful images, the news about Mr. and Mrs. Se spread everywhere. Visitors visiting the ancient town of Hoi An also took some time to visit them and take photos.

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One day, Ms. Nguyen Thi Loi slipped and broke her leg. She just laid in one place because she couldn’t move. Mr. Se took care of Ms. Loi and their children. Sadly, because of her old age and the pain of the broken leg, she passed away at the age of 88.

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With the loss of his wife, his life-time partner, Mr. Se was in deep pain and sadness. His health diminished, making it difficult for him to move around, but he still took care of her memorial altar every day and always talked to her in front of it.

Tourists and photographers were visiting less and less due to the death of his wife. The perfect couple was no longer together for their perfect photos and they gradually moved away from him, leaving him with sadness and memories as he kept whispering about his past, the joys that he used to feel.

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A great love that few people will ever achieve in their lifetime. They lived to love each other for the rest of their lives, still feeling like they were as young and in love as the day they first met.

Happy Valentine’s Day 2020.

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bills-natalia avatar
VogueGal84
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful story, it sure does remind me of my grandparents. They've been together since they were in their teens, never broken up, now they're in their 80s and still bickering like crazy! ❤️

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely beautiful story. We need more of these in life. My parents were married for 58 years when my Mom died. The never understood each other, but loved each other dearly. I never thought my Dad could survive without my Mom. He did survive for two years, but I think that was mainly because he took in a feral cat and felt responsible. They did still bicker :-) It was always something innocuous like, "No you have to turn right there!" "No, it's a left, Don, it's a left." They would get out the map and magnifying glass and resolve it. Big fight, let me tell you ;-)

Load More Replies...
bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a beautiful story and so heartbreaking that he lost her

insanitytwin1 avatar
Jennie-Lind Normand
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart! Such a beautiful story It reminds me of my great grandparents, always together, they were each other's best friends and did everything together

emmarohrbaugh avatar
Bean59
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my heart just melted all over my desk. omg that was so cute!

siodlow avatar
Alain Siodlowski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sad to hear about Ms. Nguyen Thi Loik’s passing away. We met them in March 2018 while on a bicycle tour through the rice fields outside of Hoi An. They were such a joyous couple! Great photos Phuoc, you’ve captured their love and spirit.

erinwelch_1 avatar
ERIN W.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an extraordinary, sweet and sad, love story with equally extraordinary pictures! Just in time for Valentine's day! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

letsgosomewhereelse avatar
LetsGoSomewhereElse
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've met this gentleman while visiting their village just last year. He's such a happy soul!

ritaggph avatar
RitaGG
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How absolutely lovely. I would give my left arm to find a relationship as wonderful as this.

letsgosomewhereelse avatar
LetsGoSomewhereElse
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've met this gentleman while in Vietnam just last year! He's such a happy, incredible soul!

deepsarkar avatar
Deep Sarkar
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

jfhepler avatar
Jessica
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally want to see a version in color the b&w almost gives it a horror vibe

hsr59748 avatar
Ervin Olive
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

my friend's sister is dropping 12 kilos each 3 weeks. She has been over weight however final month she commenced out to take those new nutritional nutritional dietary supplements and she has out of place 40 pounds so far. check the internet website on-line proper right here>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2­C­a­s­h­b­a­g­.­c­o­m

charlesebonca avatar
Charlese Bonca
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last time I checked this wasn't a marketplace. Go join Facebook or something.

Load More Replies...
bills-natalia avatar
VogueGal84
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful story, it sure does remind me of my grandparents. They've been together since they were in their teens, never broken up, now they're in their 80s and still bickering like crazy! ❤️

marneederider40 avatar
Marnie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely beautiful story. We need more of these in life. My parents were married for 58 years when my Mom died. The never understood each other, but loved each other dearly. I never thought my Dad could survive without my Mom. He did survive for two years, but I think that was mainly because he took in a feral cat and felt responsible. They did still bicker :-) It was always something innocuous like, "No you have to turn right there!" "No, it's a left, Don, it's a left." They would get out the map and magnifying glass and resolve it. Big fight, let me tell you ;-)

Load More Replies...
bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such a beautiful story and so heartbreaking that he lost her

insanitytwin1 avatar
Jennie-Lind Normand
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My heart! Such a beautiful story It reminds me of my great grandparents, always together, they were each other's best friends and did everything together

emmarohrbaugh avatar
Bean59
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my heart just melted all over my desk. omg that was so cute!

siodlow avatar
Alain Siodlowski
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So sad to hear about Ms. Nguyen Thi Loik’s passing away. We met them in March 2018 while on a bicycle tour through the rice fields outside of Hoi An. They were such a joyous couple! Great photos Phuoc, you’ve captured their love and spirit.

erinwelch_1 avatar
ERIN W.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an extraordinary, sweet and sad, love story with equally extraordinary pictures! Just in time for Valentine's day! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!

letsgosomewhereelse avatar
LetsGoSomewhereElse
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've met this gentleman while visiting their village just last year. He's such a happy soul!

ritaggph avatar
RitaGG
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How absolutely lovely. I would give my left arm to find a relationship as wonderful as this.

letsgosomewhereelse avatar
LetsGoSomewhereElse
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've met this gentleman while in Vietnam just last year! He's such a happy, incredible soul!

deepsarkar avatar
Deep Sarkar
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

jfhepler avatar
Jessica
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Totally want to see a version in color the b&w almost gives it a horror vibe

hsr59748 avatar
Ervin Olive
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

my friend's sister is dropping 12 kilos each 3 weeks. She has been over weight however final month she commenced out to take those new nutritional nutritional dietary supplements and she has out of place 40 pounds so far. check the internet website on-line proper right here>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 2­C­a­s­h­b­a­g­.­c­o­m

charlesebonca avatar
Charlese Bonca
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Last time I checked this wasn't a marketplace. Go join Facebook or something.

Load More Replies...
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