Garden view 1-bedroom
VND 4,000,000 / room / night
Our story
2023
Chapter 1 The usual beginning...
July: First message
Hee Joong (HJ) ghosted Calvin, thinking 'Must be a Chinese scammer for bitcoins...'
October: a second attempt after three full months
Calvin tried again, and our journey started.
2024
Chapter 2 A leap of faith
January: Ski into the unknown
Only to find the one on a trip to Lake Tahoe.
Calvin's secret wish
Facing the beautiful, serene Lake Tahoe sunrise, Calvin secretly wished this moment could last a little longer, knowing Hee Joong had to return to school…
Chapter 3 The Mexican sunset
June: First overseas trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to kick off Pride Month
Hee Joong found a local boat tour deal and dragged An and Matt on board for a full day trip.
Seeing HJ sing and dance so happily on the boat with locals, Calvin whispered to An: "I want to marry this guy!"
On the return boat ride, Calvin officially asked HJ to be his boyfriend.
That was June 8th, 2024.
Chapter 4 Calvin's first visit to Seoul
July: Calvin instantly falls in love with 'the big city' the same way he fell for Hee Joong
Calvin and HJ, holding hands in public, experienced loving reactions from local ajummas and halmeonis in small alleyways. (A social experiment: Love Wins!)
Walking through the 'gayborhood' of Jongno, Calvin listened closely to HJ's past stories in this area, ones including how lost HJ once was with his identity and how HJ came out!
Besides Calvin's discovery of Seoul as a city of culture and tradition, he also had a chance to meet with Hee Joong's mom for the first time (nerves shot up through the roof of 광화문/光化門).
Chapter 5 Six Senses Ninh Van Bay
December: A relaxing stay at Six Seneses - only to find the true meaning of love beyond self
Their vacation in Southeast Asia hardly ever aligned with HJ's academic duties, which meant HJ sometimes had to work at the most beautiful sunset. Writing was painful but the view was deeply healing, he recalls.
Resort GM of Six Senses, Greg, organized a Christmas gifting event at Nha Trang School for Disabled Children. Calvin & HJ excitingly came, bearing gifts to the kids - yet only to be gifted with the true meaning of love beyond self. With the children's purest eyes and most joyful silences (many of them were deaf), Calvin and HJ's special attachment for Nha Trang grew…
2025
Chapter 6 Hee Joong's first visit to Chengdu
January: Hee Joong experienced deep hospitality of Chengdu and love of Calvin's family
Hee Joong had no idea how he'd be received by Calvin's family. With limited knowledge of Chinese language and Chengdu people, he was deeply moved by everyone in Calvin's extended family.
Calvin's nieces absorbed HJ instantly. A special bond overcame Er-Mei and HJ as if they've known each other for life!
Filled with joy and emotions, HJ delivered a Thank You speech in Chinese, realizing all the love he received from Calvin came from this big loving family of three generations! (See his script below)
Chapter 7 Advancing academic milestones amidst travels
July: Advancing academic milestones amidst travels
Even when Hee Joong was traveling across the globe with Calvin, he read and wrote whenever possible.
In July 2025, Hee Joong passed a major milestone, his first linguistics generals paper, while in Chengdu (he had written and submitted his draft while in Koh Samui, Thailand).
When the defense was over, it was 10pm local time. Hee Joong and Calvin went straight out to the gay club "Butterfly" in Chengdu to celebrate, with his cousins Liu Rui and Wang Liu.
Chapter 8 Welcoming families to the U.S.
August: Wang Liu visits
Wang Liu, one of Calvin's sibling-like cousins, visited SF. They went on a Hwy 1 roadtrip up to Mendocino, CA.
Hee Joong organized Calvin's b-day celebration with a secretly coordinated hand gestures.
Much luck for Wang Liu for having a sunny day in SF, known for the cold and fog during summertimes.
September: Hee Joong's mom visits
Hee Joong's mom visits West Coast, making stop in SF. Calvin being the best guide possible (visible in Hee Joong's sunglasses)
A classic tour of the Golden Gate Bridge on a sunny (& windy) day never gets old!
The night before the departure, the three opened up and deeply connected as a family. Calvin firmly promised to HJ's mom that he would take very good care of her treasure.
December: Calvin's parents visit and the first family trip to Hawai'i
Calvin's parents visit the U.S. finally after the Covid. They both look like re-living their youth.
Hee Joong found their favorite sunset spot on the Hawai'i Island. Just one of the innumerous beautiful sunset pictures, shining with pure joy.
This off-road adventure to Waikolu Valley (on the Moloka'i Island) would not have been possible without the preceding 13 days of bonding in the beautiful Hawai'i.
2026
Chapter 9 Two years later... back to Lake Tahoe
January: the proposal
Calvin's secret wish from two years ago came true — he had secretly been ring shopping with Chin, planned the proposal at sunset hour by Lake Tahoe, inviting his dear friend Alex as photographer, and asking his parents for blessings.
After Hee Joong said YES, they enjoyed another special sunset per their ritual. All HJ could do is cry out of sheer happiness and say Meixiangdao (没想到; 'I never expected this to come true').
A lovely evening went on with delicious food and wine. HJ's mind quietly whispered anxiousness of how his parents may react...
Chapter 10 Blessed in Blossoms
March: Family trip to Southern Korea for Hee Joong parents' blessings
Following the wedding proposal, there was the final milestone before the ceremony: receiving blessings from Hee Joong's parents. They went on a weekend trip to the Southern-most coast: Mokpo, Haenam, and Wando.
At Youngsanjae, Hee Joong's family and Calvin had a deep emotional dinner. Calvin and HJ shared their future plans and promised to take a good care of each other regardless of life challenges.
It was late March, when cherry buds were just starting to bloom. The following morning, Calvin and HJ woke up to their blessings in full blossoms.
2027
Chapter 11 Now: YOU complete our story
April 3rd, 2027: Calvin and Hee Joong look forward to celebrating this important day with you
Epilogue
Food is our passion
Foodie trips: from Mexico to Seoul, Chengdu and Southeast Asia
Cooking your own food is the best service for the other
Homemade Kimchis
Parents are our love
Kitty cats are our joy
Friends are our anchor
Photos coming soon.
