Bride of 'Messi of Vietnam' chooses $6,000 dress for wedding day

The bridal outfit, priced at VND150 million (US$6,048), was crafted by Vietnamese designer Tra Linh. It took Tra Linh and her crew four months to progress from sketching the initial idea to the final completion.

Characterized by a figure-hugging bodice and an expansive, flowing hem, the gown drew inspiration from the romantic tale of a princess discovering her true love. A two-meter-long veil, handcrafted and styled in the manner of the 1990s atop Huyen’s hair, added a touch of elegance.

Chu Thanh Huyen, wife of midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai, at the wedding on March 28, 2024. Photo courtesy of Huyen

The ensemble boasted a double layer of lace over its sleeves and bodice, embellished with beads and small pearls meticulously affixed by a team of 15 artisans.

The lace utilized in the dress, known as Dentelle De Calais lace from France’s Calais region, is celebrated for its exquisite craftsmanship. Renowned as the pinnacle of lace, Dentelle De Calais symbolizes the zenith of bridal couture, crafted with precision and elaborate skill.

"The intricate transparency and delicate designs of this lace make it perfectly suited for integrating into nuptial gowns that exude a timeless, royal elegance," Tra Linh remarked.

Huyen also selected three outfits from Tra Linh’s "Hon Ngoc Vien Dong" (Pearl of the Far East) series for her pre-wedding photoshoots. The collection drew inspirations from the scenic beauty and architectural heritage of East Asia, South Asia, and Western Europe, and was introduced in Paris earlier this month.

The matrimonial ceremony of Hai and Huyen took place on a football pitch in Hai’s native neighborhood in the Dong Anh district of Hanoi. Their engagement celebration was also hosted at this location on Jan. 1.

A large tent was installed by Hai’s relatives on March 23 for the occasion, with plans for the venue to be elaborately decorated with an assortment of fresh blooms.

The duo has scheduled a second celebratory event on April 6 at JW Marriott, a five-star hotel in Hanoi’s Nam Tu Liem district, known for its history of hosting distinguished international leaders such as former U.S. President Barack Obama, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Xi Jinping, the General Secretary and President of the Chinese Party, on their visits to Vietnam.

At 27, Hai is lauded for his sporting triumphs, including securing a gold medal at the SEA Games 2019, winning the 2018 AFF Cup, and playing a significant role in Vietnam’s impressive endeavors in the 2021 World Cup qualifiers.

Along with his national team colleagues, he has recently completed two matches against Indonesia for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which took place on March 21 and 26.

Huyen, 24, has established herself as a prominent digital influencer and entrepreneur, amassing over 628,000 followers on TikTok.

Since embarking on their relationship in 2021, the pair has opted for a discreet presence, seldom sharing their moments together on social media platforms.

In an earlier conversation, Hai expressed his anticipation that marriage would usher in a series of positive transformations in his football career.