A country bride and groom en route to the bride's new home, Tom Nong district, Phu Tho Province. Per Erikkson

Among the Kinh people, Vietnam’s majority population, wedding arrangements involve multiple journeys by matchmakers and family members. To seal a betrothal, representatives of the groom’s family deliver betrothal gifts to the bride’s home, carefully arranged on red lacquer trays and in boxes rented for the occasion. At this time an emissary of the groom’s family addresses the bride’s family, saying, "On this lucky day we would like to offer a small gift to the ancestors, asking them and all of you for permission to make your daughter a child of our family and have our son become a child of your family."

On the wedding day itself, a representative of the grooms’ family ceremoniously delivers a box of betel leaves, lime and areca nuts—gifts symbolizing conjugal harmony and fidelity. When the groom’s party arrives, the couple pays respects to the bride’s ancestors, as they will later do to the groom’s. The bride then journeys to her new home, often in a gaily-decorated car.

VIDEO: One Couple's Union This betrothal and wedding took place in Hanoi in 2000. You will need to have the Real Player installed on your computer to view this video. (Program length: 5:15 minutes.)