Vietnam - Engagement Ceremony - Do both sides of the family have to be there?

[Nowrya 59]

My fiancee is from Vietnam. We got engaged in August but we did not have an engagement ceremony. I am in Vietnam now.

As suggested by earlier posts, we are planning on having an engagement ceremony, most likely next week. Also, it is kind of a big deal in Vietnam to have one from what I hear.

 

My question is to any Vietnamese/American couples that have had an engagement ceremony with only one side of the family in attendance: 

Was only having one side of the family at the ceremony alright? My parents are not able to fly to Vietnam to attend it. My fiancee and her parents said that my parents should be here but they understand that they can't be here. I'm just a little worried that it will be a bit awkward for all of us only having her side of the family here.

After watching videos on Youtube they all seemed to have both sides of the parents in attendance. 

 

Any suggestions or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated

 

[frontgear 194]

One side is OK. The wedding reception/ceremony would be more formal and usually with both sides.

[b6543 25]

Engagement in Vietnam for k1 is typically one side's family. Several factors that contribute to this....cost of travel, time away, etc. 

 

 

[cyclone27 710]

Not a big deal - we actually never had one!!! 

[jac_chappin 24]

When we had the engagement party my parents didn't attend and didn't have any issues. I was asked to partake in interview and I just mentioned my parents are afraid to fly. 

[Chi&Clint 203]

Im Vietnamese here and I had an engagement party without my fiance's family. They couldn't afford to fly here. But I think it depends on Vnese family, my parents are very nice they didn't require anything from my fiance :), we didn't have any ceremony, just threw a party with 70 guests. And we won't celebrate a wedding ceremony either wedding party in VN in the near future