World Food Prize Ambassador Quinn
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THE ARCHIVE OF AMBASSADOR KENNETH M. QUINN
FROM THE MISSISSIPPI TO THE MEKONG
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A Vietnamese Formal Marriage Proposal

51/2/74

Amb. Quinn describes how in order to go forward with his engagement to Le Son Ngyuen, he first had to have a formal marriage proposal ceremony. He arrived at Le Son's home bearing many elegant and expensive gifts. These were quickly taken unopened by her family and never mentioned or seen again. Then, with only his representative- a Vietnamese army officer with whom he worked closely- speaking on his behalf, the proposal for their engagement was made to her father. After a longer than expected “negotiation” (during which he thought they might pull open his mouth to inspect his teeth, as you might do while purchasing a horse) Amb. Quinn and his representative received an answer, hardly having ever seen his fiancé’s face.

© 2024 World Food Prize Ambassador Quinn. All rights reserved.