The People's Committee of Vinh Hung Ward on July 14 presented a marriage certificate for Nguyen Thi Anh Van, a Vietnamese national, and Steenbergen Casper Bessel Roelof, a Dutch citizen.

For the first time, instead of having to go to the Hanoi Department of Justice, citizens can now complete the marriage registration process with a foreign national directly at their local ward office.

In the presence of local leaders and the civil registrar of Vinh Hung Ward, Nguyen Thi Anh Van and Steenbergen Casper Bessel Roelof voluntarily signed their marriage register, and received their official marriage certificate, in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Nguyen Duc Dung, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Vinh Hung Ward, and Pham Hai Binh, Vice Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Vinh Hung Ward, presented flowers and the certificate to the couple.

In his congratulatory speech, Chairman Binh said that Vietnam has officially begun implementing a new two-level local government model.

Under this model, several administrative procedures that were previously under the authority of the city or district levels are now handled at the ward level. These include the registration of marriages involving foreign elements.

He added that the staff at Vinh Hung Ward have made great efforts to ensure that this new procedure was carried out efficiently, promptly, and in compliance with legal regulations.

On behalf of the ward's leadership, Binh congratulated the couple on officially becoming husband and wife under Vietnamese law. He wished them a long and happy life together.

He also expressed appreciation for Steenbergen's decision to live and work in Vietnam, his love for the country's culture and people, and welcomed him as a new member of the Vietnamese family.

The chairman also expressed hope that the couple would help promote Vietnamese cultural traditions in the Netherlands and beyond.

In an emotional speech, Van said, "I always proudly tell my international friends that I was born in Vietnam, a small, warm, and beautiful country."

"I am deeply moved and grateful. Despite the busy transition to a new local government model, the officials of Vinh Hung Ward were incredibly supportive and attentive, helping us complete the procedure and giving us this special ceremony today," she added.

Van also said that she has been away from her family for many years to study and work abroad, living independently in many different countries.

But during the ceremony, she truly felt like a daughter of Vietnam again, warmly welcomed by her fellow countrymen.

Steenbergen also gave heartfelt remarks in Vietnamese: "I sincerely thank the People's Committee of Vinh Hung Ward for your support in making this important moment a reality."

"I deeply appreciate your guidance and assistance. I feel honored to become part of this community through marriage. Thank you, Vietnam."

"Thank you to all the officials and staff for your thoughtful preparations. I will always cherish the warmth you have shown us on this special day. From today, Vietnam has become my second home," he said.