A Prayer Fulfilled: Vietnamese Architect Finds Love in Kyoto

Quoc Vinh’s journey to find love took an unexpected turn during a trip to Japan, where he prayed for his future. A year later, the prayers were answered when he met Yuko Inoue, a Japanese woman, at a gym in HCMC.

In fall 2022, Quoc Vinh, 28, was on a business trip to Japan for his job at a Japanese architecture firm in HCMC. He visited a shrine with colleagues and prayed for career success and for finding the love of his life. His deep interest in Japanese culture made this trip significant, as it allowed him to explore the country that had always fascinated him.

A year later, while working in HCMC, Vinh noticed a Japanese woman at a gym in Thu Duc City. "The first time I saw her, I felt something very special," he recalls. He began seeing her regularly at the gym but lacked the courage to approach her. Eventually, he learned her name was Yuko Inoue.

After finding her on Facebook, Vinh decided to send her a message. She recognized him from the gym and replied after reading his posts about architecture and interior design—a field she had once been passionate about. Their initial meeting, planned as a short coffee date, turned into a full day of conversation. Vinh wanted to take her to dinner, but felt it was too soon, so they parted ways.

Inoue, on the other hand, said, "It was the first time I could talk to someone without getting bored. His eyes lit up when he spoke about his work and passion. That impressed me."

Their bond deepened after watching the movie Elemental, which highlighted how two opposite characters found harmony. This film reminded them of their own differences and sparked a deeper connection. After the movie, Vinh confessed his feelings, and Inoue reciprocated.

Inoue had faced challenges growing up. She wanted to become an architect and worked hard for university, but peer pressure led her into depression. At 18, she gave up on her dream. However, a turning point came during a trip to Vietnam with her father. The energy of Saigon, the kindness of its people, and the Vietnamese language inspired her. "When I felt lost, Vietnamese was a beacon of light," she says.

She enrolled in an economics degree at Osaka Metropolitan University in Japan and studied Vietnamese. In 2020, she moved to Vietnam to manage her family's business but struggled with adapting to a new culture and work environment.

That was when Vinh entered her life. He would often bring her food, even during late shifts or bad weather. With his experience in a Japanese workplace, he understood the pressures she faced and the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture.

Their relationship grew stronger through trips across Vietnam, where Vinh introduced her to the country’s history, culture, and people. "He rarely uses sweet words, but his actions show he is mature and dependable," she says.

Quoc Vinh during a business trip to Japan in 2022. Photo courtesy of Quoc Vinh

During the 2024 Lunar New Year, Inoue accompanied Vinh to visit his family in Quang Nam Province. It was a test of their relationship, and she found herself welcomed into the family. The house, where his parents and three brothers lived, was filled with laughter during the holidays. Family meals, New Year’s Eve ceremonies, and the custom of giving lucky money were unfamiliar to her, but she quickly adapted.

She joined her future mother-in-law in the garden to pick vegetables and learned to make spring rolls and banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake). On the last day of the lunar year, Vinh picked herbs from the garden to prepare a traditional bath for his girlfriend. These experiences were new to her and added to her growing appreciation for Vietnamese culture.

Before returning, the couple asked his parents for permission to marry. A few months later, during a trip to Kyoto, Japan, Vinh proposed at the Imperial Palace. He surprised her with a heart-shaped bouquet of roses.

Yuko and Vinh at their wedding in HCMC in 2024. Photo courtesy of the couple

In April 2024, the couple held a wedding in Quang Nam and another in HCMC. On her wedding day, Inoue wore a furisode, a traditional kimono for unmarried women. "My parents gave me this on my 20th birthday, and my wedding day was the last time I can wear it," she said.

During the wedding, she thanked her parents-in-law for their support. "I am still adjusting to the language and culture, but we will learn from both countries and build a happy family."

Vinh says cultural differences were never a barrier in their relationship. "What matters is that we sit down and listen to each other so two fitting pieces become an unbreakable bond."

Inoue wears the Japanese ceremonial kimono furisode for her wedding in 2024. Photo courtesy of the couple