By Minh Phương

BÌNH DƯƠNG — Facing two weeks in quarantine is a tough task at the best of times.

Many people returning to Việt Nam have endured a painstaking fortnight behind closed doors waiting to return home.

Nguyễn Phương Linh was one such traveller. She had been studying in Australia and came home to Hà Nội last July.

But life in quarantine was far more rewarding for this girl.

During her stay at a medical centre in Bình Dương Province, Linh met the man of her dreams, Lê Hoàng Hải, a health worker based at the facility.

During her quarantine, Linh met the man of her dreams, a health worker based at the facility. — Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Phương Linh

And now after a whirlwind romance, the couple have tied the knot, proving beyond doubt, that some COVID clouds do have a silver lining.

“Day by day, I could see that Hải was a nice person,” Linh said.

“He was always caring for people in quarantine and tried to help them if they had any problems with meals or daily activities.

“I started to want to know him more, but I was really shy and didn’t know how to strike up a conversation with him because staff there cannot have close contact with people in quarantine.”

Eventually, Cupid fired his arrow, and the couple struck up a conversation.

Hải, 26, said: “I remembered the day she asked me to borrow a knife to peel mangoes. When I asked to have it back, she joked that she had already swallowed it.

“It was just a joke but it surprised me and I thought it was really cute. To me, Linh is a sincere and enthusiastic person.

“After that, we started to chat with each other more.”

Those chats continued after Linh finished her stint in quarantine. And despite her living in the north, and Hải in the south, their connection quickly blossomed.

“One person lives in the south and the other lives in the north, so we could only talk on the phone all of the time to get to know each other,” Linh said.

“After we met, he continued to work in the quarantine zone. Whenever he went to work, I always felt worried about him.

“However the more I knew about him and his job, the more I loved him and I am very proud of what he is doing now.”

The couple decided to get married in April, having a wedding ceremony in Hà Nội and Bình Dương so both their families could enjoy their happy day.

The couple had a happy ending with a wedding ceremony in Hà Nội and Bình Dương in April. — Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Phương Linh

So while COVID-19 may be causing heartache and pain for millions around the world, here in Viet Nam, it brought cheer to the lives of Linh and Hải.

“Until now, I don’t know whether I should hate COVID-19 or feel thankful for it,” said Hải.

“Thanks to COVID-19, I met my wife. However, the pandemic has had a really bad impact on people’s lives.

“I’m really grateful to have a partner who can understand and feel sympathy for me and my job,” he added.

Linh spent years in Australia, and went to college in Sydney. She then began to work in the hospitality sector and by the time her contract came to an end, the pandemic had begun to take its grip.  

She added: “I lived in Australia for 11 years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to come back home following my parents’ wishes.

“At the time when I submitted a request to go back home, the restrictions were already imposed in Sydney, where I lived. All the restaurants were closed and people were told not to go outside if not necessary. 

“With people living in quarantine like us, we are all worried and afraid of cross infection. We rarely had close interactions with others, our activities only occurred in the room.

“So at first, I really wanted to pass those 14 days and come back home to see my family in Hà Nội.”

Little did she know at the time, but those two weeks in quarantine would change her life, even though it wasn’t exactly love at first sight.

“At first, I really didn't like him,” Linh admitted.

“I think that he was fastidious and had too many rules. I thought he was not really my type.”

But her initial thoughts were very wrong indeed.

Now, after two months of marriage, the couple are head over heels in love. And Linh couldn’t be more proud.

She said: “Having a husband working on the front-line, I can profoundly understand how hard they work, and how good Việt Nam has done in the effort to fight against the pandemic.

“I hope that every Vietnamese citizen strictly follows the Government’s regulations to ensure the efficiency of the pandemic prevention strategy.

“Maybe you could have an unforgettable experience or find your soulmate unpredictably, just like me.” — VNS