On the evening of August 22, just before the ASEAN Cup 2026 first leg final kicked off, 32-year-old Vu Quang Huy playfully invited his Thai wife, 31-year-old Patcharaporn Wuttingam, to cook Thai hot pot together. Huy's intention was to tease his wife, who is originally from Thailand, as they prepared for the match between Vietnam and Thailand.

Patcharaporn, affectionately known as Tao, agreed, believing her husband was prioritizing her native dish. However, as the game began, the couple divided into two camps, with Huy cheering loudly for the Vietnamese team while Tao focused intently on her Thai team. Each time Vietnam scored, Huy erupted in joy, while Tao shot him disapproving glances, frustrated by the noise.

The match ended with Vietnam winning 2-0, but Tao remained hopeful for the return leg at My Dinh Stadium. "She wasn't angry, just disappointed whenever Thailand missed a chance and annoyed by my loud celebrations," Huy, a streamer from Trung Kinh in Hanoi, shared.

After the match, Huy explained the significance of the Thai hot pot dish, to which Tao jokingly responded, "Tonight, I'm sleeping on the floor." Their love story began in 2024 when Huy moved to Thailand to manage restaurants. They met when Tao dined there, initially communicating in simple English and sometimes using translation apps. Their bond grew, leading to marriage in 2025.

Now living in Vietnam with Huy's family, Tao has been learning Vietnamese from her husband and in-laws, and she can now communicate in simple sentences. She has embraced Vietnamese cuisine, particularly enjoying spring rolls and seafood from her husband's hometown of Do Son, Hai Phong. Although she never imagined living abroad, Tao has adapted well and appreciates the warmth of her husband's family and the football culture.

"While I love Vietnam, as a Thai, I still want my homeland to win," she stated. Tao, who rarely watches football, only attends matches when Huy plays or during significant games like Vietnam versus Thailand. Their differing support for their teams does not create discord; instead, these matches have become cherished memories for the couple.

Huy predicts Vietnam will continue to win in future encounters, while Tao remains loyal to her Thai team. Unable to secure tickets for the return match, she plans to watch the game at home with Huy again, though this time, no Thai hot pot will be on the menu. The couple believes that despite the ups and downs of football, the rivalry adds a unique flavor to their marriage, providing moments of teasing and contrasting emotions while sitting together.

Huy is confident that Vietnam and Thailand will face each other many more times in the future, with the playful rivalry continuing. Regardless of which team wins, both nations' players will deliver exciting matches for their fans.