Huu Dung, born in 1976, and Hoang Lien, born in 1980, from Yen Thanh district, Nghe An province, married in 2000.

Over 15 years, they welcomed six sons: Nguyen Huu Son (born 2002), Nguyen Huu Ha (2004), Nguyen Huu Hai (2006), Nguyen Huu Thai Duong (2009), Nguyen Huu Duy Huong (2011), and Nguyen Huu Phuong (2015). These dutiful, filial sons have been both the driving force and pride of the couple in their 50s.

Lien said both her and her husband’s families have a tradition of large broods. She’s the eldest of nine siblings (five girls, four boys), while her husband has seven. The saying “bear children to fill the earth” is cherished by their families as life’s joy.

The Nghe An mom admitted part of her reason for having six kids was a longing for a daughter. “Yet after six boys, I still haven’t gotten my wish,” Lien said, laughing.

With six sons, the couple never saw it as “unplanned”, or “accidental”. Each child, born from love, arrived amid family anticipation and affection.

“The kids are good, easy to raise and care for, so we adore every one we’ve had,” Lien said.

The couple tried many jobs to earn their living and raise the children—gathering firewood in forests, farming, raising livestock—and now run a grocery store. From hardship to stability, funding their kids’ education, they built it all themselves.

Lien credits her late father-in-law for childcare support.

“Soon after I gave birth to my first son, my mother-in-law passed away. My father-in-law stepped in to help. He was gentle, skilled, nurturing the kids from infancy. From one to the next, he cared for them meticulously, letting us work with peace of mind. In 2015, when I had my youngest son, he passed away. Raising that one was tougher than the first five combined without his help.”

She still honors her father-in-law’s efforts, teaching her sons to remember their roots and the tender care their granddad gave them.

Securing six plots for six sons

With six boys, Lien and Dung raised them with love but disciplined them strictly.

They taught manners, posture, and chores from a young age, demanding diligence and care in studies. Lien believes boys need thorough guidance to stand on their own and become family pillars later.

“For years, we haven’t cooked or cleaned. The boys come home from school and implement tasks together—one cooks, one sweeps, one washes and hangs laundry. We taught them at first, then they guided each other,” Lien said.

The Ngh An mom stressed raising children wasn’t too hard. As babies, they “ate well, slept soundly, bless them,” and her father-in-law’s help spared her the struggles of early motherhood. Growing up, they stayed good and obedient, easing her task of shaping them.

Her eldest son graduated from a university in South Korea and has a stable job. The second just finished high school and is preparing to study abroad. The other four, in primary, middle, and high school, excel academically.

Lien revealed that since 2017, to secure their sons’ futures, the couple began saving and buying land. They’ve now acquired six plots for the six boys to settle and build lives on.

For 15 years, Lien has held the title of “family queen”. On special days like March 8 or October 20, her husband and six sons surprise her with gifts. In those moments, she feels her efforts are worthwhile.

“My eldest son in Korea often calls, urging us to rest and not overwork for the kids—they’ll fend for themselves and repay us. Honestly, I think their goodness and maturity are already the greatest gift,” Lien said.

Thanh Minh