A group wedding for 20 couples was held at the Military Hospital 175 on Sunday after they postponed tieing the knot due to COVID. – VNS Photo Việt Dũng

HCM CITY – A special wedding for 20 couples who are medical staff at Military Hospital 175 (Ministry of Defense) has been held after their plans were postponed for months due to the pandemic.

To show gratitude to officials and employees participating on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19, a ceremony and art performance took place on Sunday for 20 couples.

Former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình, former Vice President Trương Mỹ Hoa, chairwoman of the Việt Nam Women's Union Hà Thị Nga and representatives of Military Region 7, were all guests at the mass wedding.

Áo Dài performances and stories on the city’s fight against the pandemic were recreated.

Lê Quang Vinh, gastroenterology doctor at Military Hospital 175 told Việt Nam News that he is both happy and surprised to have his wedding prepared by authorities and the hospital.

“My wife and I planned to organise our wedding last September," Vinh said.

"We had to postpone due to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. While I was working at the Military Hospital 175’s COVID-19 treatment centre, my wife went to the field hospital No 4 in Nha Trang. Despite many concerns, both of us prioritised COVID-19 prevention and control.”

He added that his family was supportive of the decision to hold back his wedding.

Nguyễn Thị Kim Thoa, Vinh’s wife, added: “I would like to thank our parents and colleagues as well for always supporting us during the challenging period.” – VNS