Hanoi Happy!

Got to Hanoi tonight, around 8pm, so I haven't gotten a chance to see much. I did however manage to get in touch with and then hang out with Trang and Son for a bit as they wrapped up some last minute planning. I rode along with them as they checked-in with their MC and ironed out the details for what he was going to do tomorrow. I didn't understand a word he said, but I could understand that he's done a ton of weddings before and has this stuff down pat. It's actually sort of amazing how similar sounding this pre-wedding planning ceremony sounded in comparison to the few that I've heard in the US. Perhaps wedding MCs and wedding singers know no cultural and geographical boundaries?

Along with meeting the MC, I also got some of the low-down for the activities tomorrow from Trang. Like most brides, the day will start for Trang with makeup. However, by noon, people will start arriving at the brides house for a traditional "đón dâu" session - the asking for the bride tradition, where the groom must come and ask the bride's parents to be able to take the bride home with him. Then, there will be a big car caravan through central Hanoi, with I'm sure, lots of horn-honking and joyous yelling. Finally, around 5pm, the official ceremony/reception will begin. I'm not sure how long it will last, but Trang did say it will involve 550 people, so I'm guessing that since it would take 550 people over an hour to enter or exit any venue, we're looking at... at least two hours. :)

It's all so exciting!