My sister just called off her wedding in Da Nang because her fiancé's family demanded a 100-million-dong dowry, and our parents were split on whether to fight it. I've seen arranged marriages in my own extended family work out beautifully, but I've also watched cousins stay in unhappy relationships out of obligation. Should couples in Vietnam let their families dictate major relationship decisions, even when it clashes with their own feelings? Tradition isn't inherently wrong, but I can't help wondering if we've ever really stopped to ask who benefits most from keeping these old rules alive. If you had to choose between honoring your parents' wishes and following your heart in marriage, which would you pick — and why does one weigh heavier for you?