About the 'hundred-year-old village', asking about the old man who got married at the age of 95

(Baonghean.vn) - After two wives, 17 children, and hundreds of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, after his second wife passed away, Mr. Xong Ga Vu (Muong Long commune, Ky Son, Nghe An) still decided to "take another step". The 95-year-old man's wedding was held two years ago with more than 300 guests attending, most of whom were his children and grandchildren.

Passing through the "heavenly gate" to Muong Long commune (Ky Son, Nghe An), asking about Mr. Xong Ga Vu's house, no one does not know. Not only because most of the households in the central villages of the commune are his descendants or relatives, but also because of the story of the old man getting married at a "rare" age. Although he just turned 97 a month ago, Mr. Vu is still healthy and clear-headed. Photo by Tien Hung

Two years ago, Mr. Vu got married at the age of 95, causing the villagers to gossip. "This is my third wife. The wedding took place about two years after the death of my second wife," Mr. Vu said. This wife is 44 years younger than Mr. Vu, and lives in Huoi Tu commune. After learning about their father's wish to get married, Mr. Vu's children went to the next commune to find someone, then brought him to ask for her hand in marriage. This third wife of Mr. Vu is a widow, who had previously given birth to a child with her previous husband. "My wife could no longer give birth. Otherwise, she would have had a child with me by now," Mr. Vu said with a smile, adding that the "marital relationship" between the two is currently "still regular". Photo: Tien Hung

According to many remaining documents, Mr. Vu was born on July 9, 1920. His two previous wives had 17 children with him, 10 boys and 7 girls. His eldest daughter is over 70 years old this year. When asked by reporters about the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mr. Vu sat and thought for a while but said "can't count". He then called his 8th son Xong Ga Sua (57 years old, left cover), who lives next door to help calculate. Holding a notebook to calculate, it took nearly half an hour but Mr. Vu and his son still could not count all the grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Photo: Tien Hung

"As for grandchildren, I guess I have about 80, and too many great-grandchildren to remember. As for great-great-grandchildren, there are now more than 100," Mr. Vu said with a laugh after a long time of "scratching his head" but still unable to count the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Before retiring, Mr. Vu had worked as a local official for many years. In 1964, when bandits invaded Muong Long commune to wreak havoc, Mr. Vu was shot through the shoulder. Despite this, his health did not seem to be affected much. Photo: Tien Hung

Mr. Vu and his wife currently live with their son. The whole family of 5 generations live together, surrounded mainly by the houses of his children and grandchildren. To this day, Mr. Vu still regularly goes to the fields and does housework. When asked about the reason for getting married at this age, he just laughs heartily. Photo: Tien Hung

Mr. Vu's wedding was held two years ago, with 30 banquets and more than 300 guests attending, mostly his children and grandchildren. In the photo, Mr. Vu and his ninth son-in-law chisel a stone mortar to grind rice. Photo: Tien Hung

Muong Long commune has long been known as "Muong 100 years old" because people here often have a long life expectancy. In the photo is Mr. Va Pa Gio. Mr. Gio is over 98 years old this year but is still healthy and clear-headed. He has two wives and 13 children. Currently, although he does not go to the fields much, he still often herds buffalo and cuts grass. Talking about the "secret to longevity" of the people here, Mr. Xong Ga Sua - former Chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Long commune said that there are three reasons. "First, the climate here is very fresh and cool, known as Da Lat of Nghe An. Second, the Mong people here are often very hard-working, working regularly so they have good health. The remaining reason is that the upland rice and food here are very good, without any toxic chemicals," said Mr. Sua. Photo: Tien Hung

Tien Hung