During the fourteenth century, people felt sorry for Princess Huyền Trân because she had to marry the Cham King Simhavarman Ill, even though he gave her family the provinces of Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên- Huế in exchange for his royal bride.
Before the 1980s, marriages between Vietnamese and foreigners were rare, especially in the North and Center, where Confucian ethics had a stronger hold than in the South. Strictures remained during French colonialism. Respectable families would not accept a foreigner, no matter how distinguished. Popular chauvinism regarded French, Chinese, and Japanese husbands as belonging to the cruel conquerors and greedy merchants who had brought misfortune to the country. Vietnamese used labels: "me Tây" (woman married to a European), "me Tàu" (woman married to a Chinese), or "me Nhật." (woman married to a Japanese).
Vũ Trọng Phụng, a satirical novelist, created an unforgettable character, Madam Phó Đoan, the widow of a French customs officer in colonial times. Needless to say, the portrait was hardly flattering.
Now, however, after two wars with foreigners, ordinary people in Viet Nam know more about other countries and cultures. Viet Nam 's national independence has strengthened the society's self-confidence, and the growing presence of foreign tourists and business people has, largely erased ingrained prejudice against interracial marriage. While still not common, such marriages are no longer mocked or criticised.