Nguyen Thi Khanh Chau, from An Giang. and Thai Huu Tai, from Soc Trang, both 27 years old, have shared a precious decade together that has led to love and a lifelong partnership. It was also 10 years of weathering life’s ups and downs, culminating in their happy ending today.

Both Chau and Tai grew up in HCM City and went to the same high school. They hung out often, gradually fell for each other, and started dating. 

Their teenage romance lacked fancy gifts or lavish dates. It was simple - holding hands under the schoolyard trees, and snacking at street stalls together.

After high school, with her family’s finances tight, Chau nearly had to skip college and work far away. Seeing his bright girlfriend about to lose her shot at education, Tai made a bold move.

“He told me ‘focus on studying, I’ll work hard to support you so your parents won’t worry about money.’ Then he said the same to my mom,” Chau recalled.

With those words, Chau confidently pursued her studies. Both passed the entrance exam to the University of Foreign Languages and Informatics in HCM City. Chau studied English, and Tai, Business Administration.

During their four university years, Tai both studied at school and worked to earn money. He became a deliveryman for a food service, earning money to cover his and Chau’s tuition and living costs.

“He picked shipping because it paid well and offered flexible hours to balance studying, working, and driving me to school,” Chau said.

Tai worked hard, day and night. In the morning, he dropped Chau off at school before heading to his classes. On free afternoons, he delivered goods.

Every day at 5pm, he picked her up, then worked until late.

Over those four years, Tai funded Chau’s tuition, with some semesters costing VND20 million. Occasionally, her mom paid tuition for Chau, but Tai handled most of it.

He also gave her pocket money for snacks, daily expenses, and small extras. Living with their families in HCM City spared their rental costs.

“He didn’t want me working part-time—just focusing on my studies. He did not spend money on himself, only on me. He really sacrificed a lot to support me all those years. I’m so grateful,” Chau said.

Beyond finances, Tai pampered her like a kid. She loved grilled egg cakes? He bought 10 boxes for her. She admired flowers from a shop? He noted it and got her favorites. Whatever she liked, he made sure to get it just right to make her smile.

“Tai is the type of person who finds it hard to love someone. Maybe I’m the first to spark something special in him, so he spoils me. His parents love him and support our relationship. I think he learned this care from his dad, who treats his mom the same way,” Chau said.

Rewards

After graduating from school, Chau became an English teacher and opened a training center. Tai, unsure of his career path, took a video editing course and now has a stable job.

Back then, Tai always said that Chau’s academic performance was better so she should continue to study, and he would sacrifice his study time to work and earn money. Later, when Chau’s work developed and she had a good income, Chau made up for her boyfriend's years of hard work.

She has spent big money to buy machines and editing tools for Tai’s work, and plans to buy him a new computer setup soon.

Thanks to good income, Chau meets Tai’s every need. “I’ve bought him so much that on special occasions, I’m stumped on what to gift next,” she said.

Tai dreamed of visiting Singapore and Chau made it happen earlier this year with a long Thailand-Singapore trip costing VND50 million.

Now, they live together in a rented three-story house, joined by Chau’s mom.

Cohabiting has its rough patches, but they resolve spats peacefully. After 10 years of enduring hardships together, petty arguments aren’t worth escalating; they’d rather not dent their bond. Their secret? Mutual respect.

“I respected his delivery job, and he respected my study efforts. Now, he respects my independence, and I respect how he supported me from nothing, even if it delayed his career,” Chau said.

Ha Nguyen