Saigon couple ask for books as wedding gifts

Nguyen Tu Anh, 36, and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, 32, married on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in District 1 last Sunday, and over the two hours received more than 1,000 books.

"My wedding had ... no party, no stage, no tables, no chairs, no MC and not too many rituals," Anh said.

He is famous for his campaign called ‘Chu Nhat Yeu Thuong’ (Sunday Of Love), which has sought and donated millions of books to libraries meant for students living in mountainous places over the last 10 years.

Mai loves books and joined Anh's campaign more than two years ago.

Nguyen Tu Anh and Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai's wedding on Nguyen Van Binh Book Street in HCMC, Nov. 21, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Pham

"The [marriage] decision was quite unexpected, so we only had about a month to prepare," she said, adding they only announced it on their social media accounts and texted their friends a week in advance.

The couple also told all the guests there would be no party or cash gifts, only gifts of books.

What touched them was that many strangers came to congratulate them.

He was also surprised two members of his group drove all the way from southern Can Tho City early in the morning to attend his wedding at 9 a.m.

The couple at a photoshoot with friends near the Saigon River on Nov. 21. Photo courtesy of Tu Anh

Kim Anh, 30, who carried books for more than 100 kilometers to the event, said: "I wanted to attend their wedding, a special one."

"Celebrating our important day with friends ... and collecting more books for poor students is enough to make us feel happy," Anh said.