Hoang Ngoc Gia Minh (born 2004) is an unassuming girl from Hue. She never imagined falling in love with and marrying a heavily tattooed foreign fighter. Their love story began unexpectedly.

Arthur Chamberlain Juckes, known as Arthur, is a renowned Australian fighter competing in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and other disciplines. He has participated in numerous national and international tournaments, even clinching championships.

Arthur and Gia Minh’s cousin are close friends. In October 2022, Arthur visited Vietnam to see his friend and met Gia Minh at a wedding in Hue.

Drawn to her at first sight, Arthur couldn’t take his eyes off Gia Minh. The Hue girl felt hesitant, intimidated by his appearance—tattoos covering both arms and even his face.

At their second meeting, they exchanged contact details but didn’t communicate much. When Arthur returned to Australia, their messages dwindled further.

Later, Gia Minh learned that Arthur had feelings for her but lacked the confidence to pursue her. At the time, he had little to his name—no house, car, or stable job. He chose to cut contact, hoping she’d find someone better suited.

In August 2023, after a career breakthrough, Arthur became strongly determined to win Gia Minh’s heart. He reconnected with her, sharing his efforts and progress.

Minh learned from Arthur that he had faced many losses but never gave up on his passion. “To me, no matter the profession is, pursuing your passion with determination is a beautiful journey,” she shared.

By late 2023, Arthur returned to Vietnam for the second time—this time to confess his love. Meeting again after a long time, they felt an instant connection, as if they’d never been apart. They enjoyed simple street food, rode a motorbike around the city, and talked by the Huong River.

“Once, on an airport bus, he shouted, ‘Princess, I love you!’ and ‘My Hue girl is so beautiful!’ It was embarrassing but made me so happy,” Minh recalled.

A dream wedding

Once they started dating, their long-distance relationship began. Every one to two months, Arthur visited Minh, staying for two to three weeks each time. 

During their time apart, they texted and video-called. Five to six calls a day eased their longing, but Minh said, “Feelings can’t be fully expressed through a phone screen.”

“Trust, support, and encouragement kept our love alive. I always cheered him on, knowing how intense his training and fights are,” Minh said.

The Hue’s girl sometimes expressed her worry about the dangers of his combat sports, but Arthur reassured her with words she’ll never forget: “Now that I have you, I have more energy and motivation to win.”

Minh’s parents were initially concerned about her dating a foreigner, fearing language and cultural differences would hinder communication and connection.

But over time, they saw how much Arthur cared for their daughter. “His kindness, thoughtfulness, gentle nature, and humor won my parents’ trust,” Minh shared.

The couple held their wedding in February 2025 in Vietnam. Minh called it “a dream wedding, like a fairy tale.”

Two months before the wedding, Arthur came to Vietnam and together with Minh prepared for the ceremony. It was his longest stay, filling her with joy as they planned the biggest event of their lives.

They meticulously planned every detail for the wedding, from engagement photos and invitation designs to the guest list. Arthur studied Vietnamese wedding customs thoroughly.

He handled tasks like decorating the venue, preparing betrothal gifts, and choosing wedding attire. “When he learned the wedding would have 500 guests, he was shocked. In Australia, weddings typically have 30-50 people,” Minh said.

Two weeks before the wedding, Arthur’s family and close friends arrived in Vietnam.

The ceremony followed traditional Vietnamese customs. Minh was moved when Arthur, dressed in an ao dai, respectfully addressed both families and joined her in paying respects to their ancestors.

The wedding left the groom’s relatives in awe. They were surprised by the two ceremonies (the betrothal and the reception), the large guest count, and the lavish celebration.

The highlight was the gold-giving tradition. Each time someone presented gold to the bride, the groom’s friends shouted ‘Oh, wow!’ and clapped as if they’d never seen anything like it.

They realized that for Vietnamese people, a wedding is a significant life event. Friends and family, no matter how busy, attend to bless the couple.

Thanh Minh