Top 10 Best Love Essays

My youth was defined by the back of a boy, a boy who never knew how deeply I cared for him. And perhaps, even now, he has no memory of me, but to me, the sight of him working seriously was undeniably captivating.

During my first year in university, I secretly admired a café worker. I would visit the café every day, just to catch a glimpse of him. I had always disliked going to crowded cafés alone, but he became the reason I started going there to write every day.

For a long time, I went every day and always ordered the same drink. Eventually, he started recognizing me. One day, like any other, I visited the café, and as I ordered, he looked at me with surprise, smiled, and said:

“Oh, I remember you now, you always order this drink.”

My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest—finally, he remembered me. On the outside, I acted nonchalant and replied coldly, “It’s just my habit.”

He smiled and gently asked, “So, coming here every day is part of your habit now?”

That was the first time we spoke, and though it was a brief, meaningless exchange, I felt both thrilled and terrified. I was so happy, but forgot to take my table number. I was overjoyed because, without realizing it, my daily visits to watch him work had become a routine.

I secretly liked him for two years, and whenever I didn’t have classes, I would go to the café to write. I often wanted to approach him and confess my feelings, but I was afraid my vague affection would scare him off. Every time I thought about it, I told myself that just being able to see him every day was enough.

Our youth was foolish in this way: we liked someone but were too shy to express it. Afraid of losing them, we remained silent, and that love, though quiet, was both sad and beautiful. Looking back now, I smile, realizing that even without confessing, there was a certain beauty in loving silently during our youth.

Years later, I saw him at a mall with his girlfriend, and I couldn’t help but smile. Maybe he didn’t remember who I was, but I vividly recall the first time I met him, how his smile once left me in a whirl of emotions during my youth.

Written by: Dương Hạnh

In the rain of Saigon, I miss you and love you. The familiar street corner brings back old memories, as I stop by our favorite café, and the soft music takes me back to those dreamy days.

How long has it been since we first met, my love? Seven years and eight months, since we walked together in high school. We got to know each other, and a pure teenage love blossomed. I still remember the image of you, my desk mate, with your black glasses and that goofy face that always made me laugh. I recall how you would rush to get an ice cream cone for me from the school canteen. I remember how you quietly patted my shoulder when the girl you liked was scolded by her mother.

Back then, I often wondered: would we still be together after those three years? Or would we just become casual friends, with you finding someone more suited to you, and our paths diverging?

Well, maybe we did drift apart, you in the West pursuing your university studies, and me staying behind to chase my own dreams. But we still had each other, through messages, through video calls. Even then, we would be there for each other: when I felt down, you were always just a call away, ready to listen and offer comfort. When you were discouraged, I would call to encourage you, telling you about my new friends and experiences.

Your smile still warms my heart each winter, when there’s no one else to talk to. Even though we were miles apart, your presence, even virtually, soothed the loneliness we both felt. Sometimes I think, why need anyone else when we have each other?

I still remember those simple moments, like when you would ride your little bike to take me out for a meal, with only a few thousand VND in your pocket, yet those were the sweetest moments. I still miss you, I still love you, even with the fast pace of life, a small part of my heart remains reserved for you.

It’s been almost four years of long-distance love, and just one more year until you return. People say if I’ve waited three years, then I can hold on for one more. “Your love is strong,” they say. I just smile and brush it off. Long-distance love is a journey of waiting, and it’s not just my patience—it’s yours too. Every night, I see you on the screen and wish I could book a flight, fly over there, and tell you how much I love you, all the words I haven’t yet said.

I miss your strong arms, your warm embrace, your gentle gaze. I miss the playful expressions you make when you act cute. In just one more year, you’ll be back with me. I, the sensitive, easily moved person that I am, am patiently waiting. I’m willing to sacrifice my youth for a boy I believe in, someone who will always be there when I’m sad, who will make me laugh, who will wrap a scarf around my neck and hold my delicate hands as we walk together down a quiet path. That person will always be you.

In the end, I’ve waited. I’ve waited for you to come back and for us to walk together down the road of life. People say long-distance relationships often end in heartbreak, and I thought so too. I never believed I could wait for you for four years, never thought you’d wait for me, and didn’t trust in my own patience. I feared heartbreak, the thought of seeing the person I love with someone else. But people say, “Love means seeing the one you love happy,” and I’ve never been that magnanimous. I hate the thought of having to share you with anyone else.

But you told me, “As long as we trust each other, we don’t need to worry about distance or anyone else.” Your words gave me the courage to gamble my entire youth on you. In that moment, I knew I had chosen the right person. Now, here I am, leaning on your shoulder on the grass as dusk settles.

It’s been eight months since we married. I love you, and I thank you for being by my side for the past seven years and eight months. Thank you for being ready to protect me for the rest of our lives. Saigon is vast, and finding each other was not easy. Once we found each other, we knew we couldn’t let go, especially during this phase of long-distance love. Long-distance love is beautiful and fragile, but looking back, we can see how strong our love has been.

People say if you want something, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse. If people think long-distance relationships end in failure, maybe it’s because we haven’t been patient enough, haven’t trusted each other enough. Long-distance love is a test of love, and if we get through it, then that’s forever.

Written by: Thể Hồng

It’s not exactly love, yet it’s more than just friendship. This kind of relationship may seem safe, but sometimes it feels so suffocating that it’s hard to bear…

In those reckless youthful days, I believed that if I loved wholeheartedly, I would receive the same in return. I waited for someone, not knowing if they truly cared for me. But we shared special feelings, going through many phases like a couple in love. The only difference was that we kept it ambiguous, not public. In the end, the answer to this relationship was clear: “More than friendship, but less than love. We thought it was love, but in reality, it was just a backup feeling.”

This ambiguous relationship is like a hazy love story, where you know the answer won’t be what you want, yet you dive into it anyway. Sometimes, loneliness drives us to seek comfort in someone else, hoping for someone to talk to, to lean on during moments of weakness, or to cry to. Sadly, this relationship only allows for longing, without the right to feel jealous.

Investing emotions into such a vague relationship is like betting on a love with no future. The happiness you feel is fleeting, and once it fades, there’s nothing left. Even though there are no commitments, the emptiness left behind when that feeling is gone can be overwhelming. But that hazy feeling is only a fondness; it’s not strong enough to build something real. Gradually, it fills you with fear, as you can never label the relationship. You start imagining all these romantic scenarios, only to realize it was all an illusion.

In love, everyone wants to feel loved. So if we’re in love, why not define it? No one wants to be the “backup love” in someone’s life. We may act indifferent or distant, but let’s not turn it into an ambiguous relationship.

In the fleeting years of our youth, would you dare to gamble on a relationship that’s unclear?

The first emotions when love begins are always filled with optimism and rosy dreams. Perhaps because it was my first love, I had no experience apart from what I read in books. I used to think that love was all about happiness, but I forgot that no matter how beautiful love is, there will always be ups and downs.

It was a week after accepting his confession that I realized something—while he was courting me, he hadn’t even broken up with his ex. As someone who’s easily hurt, I was devastated. I thought long and hard about whether I should continue the relationship. But after hearing his apology and his reasons, I decided to stay with him.

Love changed me. From a girl who didn’t care much about appearance, I started to take care of myself because I knew he was a great guy, and I wanted to deserve the love he gave me. Over time, our relationship grew, but things began to fall apart when I saw him meeting his ex at a café. He even accepted a gift from her. When I asked him about it, he denied it, saying it was nothing. I stayed quiet, pretending I wasn’t hurt. It may sound foolish, but who’s truly rational when in love? After that moment, our love started to fade.

He always promised to make me feel safe, yet he was still exchanging gifts and messages with his ex. He broke the boundaries we once set, accusing me of being selfish for only thinking about my own feelings, but he forgot that love always involves a bit of selfishness. I decided to end it because I couldn’t accept being in a relationship with someone who still longed for their ex.

It turned out the love I had always believed to be everything was just a replacement love. Whether you came first or second didn’t matter. It was simply about who the person loved more. Love isn’t a trial; it’s a deep connection between two people. So don’t let love become a tragic story.

The feeling of heartbreak is unbearable. When he left, I thought life had lost its meaning. I wished he had never come into my life to make me suffer. Everywhere I looked, I saw his shadow, and I couldn’t help but cry uncontrollably.

Later, I learned that time is the best medicine for a broken heart. One day, I stumbled upon an old photo of us together. But this time, I didn’t feel sorrow. I realized how much I’ve grown. Now, I will only cry for things that are truly worth it. Thank you, my first love!

Hanoi, to me, suddenly feels both close and distant at the same time. It's not just the bare tree branches or the waves crashing in a single direction. It's that inexplicable sadness that lingers each evening as the cold winds begin to blow...

I arrived at the bus station as the evening was falling, took a deep breath, and quickly made my way to the bus stop. It was rush hour, and the crowd surged in every direction, pushing against each other. Standing at the bus stop, I noticed people anxiously waiting to catch the 7 PM bus home. The street where I stood was filled with the noise of honking cars, the air thick with the smell of gasoline, and people from all walks of life in a hurry. It felt like there was no peaceful corner in that dusky evening, except for the old water tower, standing proud with its weathered red bricks. That was the sign that I had returned to Hanoi.

The bus #55 twisted its way around Nghi Tam Street, then headed towards Nhật Tân. This area was quieter than the main streets, and the journey was longer than I remembered. Although there were empty seats, I chose to stand throughout the ride, reminiscing about my first time on a bus. I couldn't understand why the mansions and large houses on either side of the street were always flooded during the rainy season, with the dykes standing higher than the first floor. The ride was bumpy, and the bus, like an old carriage, seemed to bounce endlessly. Maybe the ride would get smoother after passing Âu Cơ street? The journey took us all the way around West Lake and would end at Lạc Long Quân street, where my uncle lived—a familiar, warm presence in Hanoi. But I wasn’t returning just for the welcome; there was another reason. I came to find a Hanoi without the rain.

The radio on the bus began playing a song I used to love, and in my mind, images unfolded like a worn-out film reel. Many years ago, this same music had soothed me on a cold autumn day, when the scent of mint candy and the melancholy atmosphere on the bus wrapped around me. A smile unconsciously spread across my face as I looked out the window. In the distance, I could already make out the giant swing at West Lake’s amusement park, its outline standing out against the cloudy sky. Everything was just as it had been, but something inside me had changed. The warmth was gone, and you, too, had truly gone. You left me as the cold winter approached, and the sky, instead of tears, held only emptiness.

I quickly got off the bus and made my way to the familiar lakeside café. So much had changed— the little café by the bus stop was no longer there. Oh well. I went home instead. After a couple of rings at the door, my uncle greeted me with a warm smile. After a few casual words, he ushered me upstairs. I hurried up to the fifth floor, to my beloved rooftop, which greeted me with the scent of blooming milk flowers. I loved this spot because whenever I looked out, the view of West Lake spread out before me like a green tapestry of time. The milk flowers along the shore added to the cozy atmosphere. For a long time, I stood there, gazing at the other side of the lake, where the path of love seemed so distant, and I couldn’t see the twists and turns or the endless slope...

The next afternoon, after finishing my work, I took a stroll towards Quán Thánh and started retracing the steps of a past I once knew. Old memories resurfaced, hazy and nostalgic, like a faint mist. The bare branches reached up to a sky that seemed to match the gloomy winter mood. The summer trees, once offering shade over stone benches by the green lake, had now grown quiet. The street vendors selling snacks along the sidewalk reminded me of simpler days. I wondered if the street, once called Cổ Ngư, had earned the nickname “The Road of Love” because of moments like ours. I bought a honey-glazed bread, a treat you used to love, and sat down to watch the sunset over the lake. West Lake is most beautiful on evenings like this, with a chill in the air and the purple hues of the setting sun casting long shadows. From across the lake, the bells of Trấn Quốc Temple echoed faintly.

It was a cold evening, filled with memories and emotions. You were no longer here, leaving behind only the quiet of this moment. The laughter, the warmth of your hand in mine, the awkward glances, and the playful arguments— all gone. Now, there’s only the golden honey dripping from the bread, a deep sigh, and hands that don’t know how to warm themselves without you.

Love stays on the other side of the sunset. And Hanoi, in my heart, feels both near and distant. It’s not just the bare tree branches, not just the waves crashing in one direction, and I can’t explain the sadness that lingers every evening as the cold winds blow in… I only know that every time I set foot in Hanoi, I feel it again. Could it be that it’s the season? Hanoi seems to have forgotten the rain.

Whether it’s a love that moves mountains, a fleeting love, or a love born from a desire for peace on both sides, we will all eventually find it.

There’s a couple whose love story has always left me in awe. And one day, perhaps not too far from now, I will hold an invitation in my hand as a guest of honor, attending their wedding. I’ll hear a thank you, a thank you for being the one who brought them together all those years ago...

In this world, how many people are lucky enough to find someone who loves them as much as they love the other? They’ve loved each other since their youth, through the uncertainties of their twenties, waited for each other, worked to build their future, graduated, started their careers, and still loved each other. In the end, they exchanged vows for a lifetime... A story straight out of a dream, one that seems impossible until you realize you’re a small part of it. Perhaps it’s hard to believe until you witness their love stand the test of time.

They’ve faced breakups, separations, and long periods of distance, almost losing each other forever. But in the end, they’ve found their way back to each other. I wonder just how deep their love truly is. And between the two of them, who loves more? Who sacrifices their pride to keep the other close after every argument?

Such love is worthy of admiration. Because it began at a time when we didn’t know each other’s backgrounds, didn’t care about wealth or social status, didn’t care if one had a job or not. All we knew was that we loved each other. Over time, we meet many people, hear many stories of broken hearts, yet deep inside, I still hope for a love as simple as this, because the proof is right here beside me.

We sat across from each other, two souls that had endured loss and hardship, once having loved, tried to be together, tried to be apart, but in the end, we just couldn’t let go. Tired... Tired in our souls and in each other’s eyes. Perhaps the kind of pure love that we once dreamed of doesn’t really exist for us. Even though we have love, it feels like it can’t quite warm us. Eventually, we went our separate ways...

Sitting across from each other, there was peace, there was turbulence. The conversation wandered, but we both dreamt of a love that, no matter how far apart, would always bring us back together. But even with the same dream, it doesn’t mean our hearts remain steadfast. Fear, insecurity, and too many experiences have shaped us. In the end, we each carry a scar, our own doubts, our own insecurities... and we can no longer look in the same direction.

One day, we will all find it. Whether it’s a love that defies the heavens, a fleeting love, or a love born from a desire for peace — we will find it. At some age, after experiencing enough, will love still be as important as when we were younger? Or is it the love that nurtures and cares for us until the end of our days that truly matters?

We will understand one day that what we dream of and what we actually have rarely ever align...

Time can change many things, but one thing that never fades is the love they share for each other.

I’m still young, and although I’ve experienced a broken marriage, I haven’t let that define me. Instead, I continue to live joyfully, looking forward to the future, embracing each new day with hope. I believe that love will eventually find its way back to me, even in the late hours of the day.

I know that love in old age may not be as passionate or fiery as it once was, but it’s replaced by affection, understanding, and compassion. There’s nothing more beautiful than growing old together. Amid the hustle and bustle of city life, I once saw an elderly man, his hair gray, trying his best to carry his wife across a busy street. The sight moved me deeply, and I stopped in my tracks, tears welling up. I realized how much he must love her, weary but determined to keep her safe amidst the chaos of traffic, holding on to her through everything.

Having someone to love and share life’s joys and sorrows with is a blessing, but it becomes even more beautiful and fulfilling when you find someone to walk with you until the very end. Yet, I understand that it’s not always easy to find that kind of love. However, as we age, we all yearn for companionship and care. This is why many older individuals find love later in life. The love stories of elderly couples, their gestures of affection, and the words of endearment they exchange, are always heartwarming. Perhaps that’s why people say: Love in old age is the most precious kind, because despite all the trials they’ve faced, they continue walking hand in hand, and the love remains ever young.

Personally, I find love in old age to be incredibly beautiful and romantic. It doesn’t need to be declared loudly or displayed for the world to see. In youth, love often seeks the grand event of a wedding, but in old age, love is found in the quiet moments of care and companionship through the ups and downs of life. They may live separately, with their own children and grandchildren, but when they are healthy, he’ll ride his bike over to her house to share a cup of tea together… these are the kinds of beautiful, lasting moments that make love in old age so deeply meaningful. This love is also one rooted in loyalty, where it’s just him and her. That’s why I cherish such simple yet profoundly emotional love, and even though I may have experienced setbacks in my youth, I continue to believe in a brighter tomorrow.

Through all the images of elderly couples I’ve seen, I’ve come to realize that love is the greatest gift humanity has been given. The deep emotions felt in the heart bring people closer, making them want to share more with one another. That’s why we should value love, no matter our age.

Author: Phuong Uyen

Ah, spring always feels so strange. Even though the old year slowly fades away, the new one arrives suddenly, like a firm handshake on a door latch, opening up a world both distant and full of excitement.

I no longer carry the heavy weight of fading gold or broken goodbyes. My spring is simply you, tucked away in my heart, so small yet so deeply in love with you, a love I can’t quite explain. A love full of tears through countless sleepless nights. A love that aches with longing, but sometimes breaks in moments of hopelessness. And then, one spring day, as I rush down a quiet, green lane, your image suddenly appears, vivid and full of love, and I know I’ll never forget it.

How is it that a love can die so fiercely, only to rise again, as fresh as a young sprout yearning for sunlight and rain? This Valentine, will you give me roses? The golden petals, fresh and vibrant, in a garden full of February blooms, like lovers, like sweet affection. I remember another day, another time—white roses spreading a carpet in a corner of the garden… when you were still far away.

Now the single rose of my lonely love from another life has withered away. I’m left with yellow roses, reminders of a distant past… Where are you? Please, return to the old path. Listen to the dew as it blossoms, hear the whispers of the thirsty sea. I am like a migratory bird, passing through sunny skies, leaving a trail of sorrow. Sometimes I wonder: 'Literature has no mountain or water, yet still it stirs the soul. People don’t face the wind, but they grow old with it.' Just a little, but the images of you still ache deeply in my heart.
…
Valentine is here, can you hear me?

Spring is sweet, and I still wait... ?

The roses smile with every step of lovers. The wind carries love from the great mountains across the green plains, like the signs of longing from days gone by.

Can you feel it, the fresh melody on my hair, not sad, not old, but full of love and hope?

Can you hear it, on my private weblog, as I joyfully sing to myself:
"…Even if it rains, I will walk you to the end of this life
Even if clouds and storms come our way
Even if there’s wind, the cold wind, mud and snow
Even if the leaves fall, no matter what, I will always love you…

Lê Hà Ngân

Love doesn’t have to carry us to the ends of the earth; it only needs to be lived fully in the moments we share together!

We can never predict what the future holds, whether promises made long ago will come true, or if the person we love will continue to love us. But don’t dwell too much on these uncertainties. Love with awareness, trust each other in the present. Control, empty promises, or the hope for a perfect love story will only wear us down over time. You might want to show your partner that you’re the one who controls the relationship, believing it will bring you comfort and safety, but in reality, such control only exhausts both of you.

Love doesn’t come with a set of rules; it’s a natural expression, like the colors of a sunset. Don’t expect your love to follow the perfect narrative of a novel or movie you’ve seen. Setting impossible standards for your partner only makes things harder for both of you. We love because of the emotions we feel for each other, because love thrives on understanding and acceptance. Let love be the motivation to grow, not the cause of bitterness.

In the end, why do we love each other?

Because the other person shows us that life isn’t just about sorrow and burdens. There’s someone who cares for us, who notices the little things, someone who is happy when we are, and who listens when we are sad. It’s rare to meet someone who understands us completely, but there’s no guarantee they’ll walk with us to the end of the world. If you find that person, cherish them. And if they leave, don’t mourn. For their departure is not the end, but a new beginning.

“Love is an endless sky; you cannot confine it to a small space or a set of limited conditions.” – Osho

- Collected -

You always ask me why I love you. But how could there be so many reasons? Once I liked you, even if you were a girl, I’d still love you.

Life is full of surprises, but I never expected our love to start so gently, almost imperceptibly.

You’re not my usual type. You’re not romantic like the heroes in love stories, nor are you a movie star. You’re a straightforward person, not the type to shower me with poetic words, but that’s perfectly fine with me. Because finding someone who understands me, who can comfort me when I’m vulnerable, is not easy. Everyone has their flaws, and being able to embrace and love those imperfections in each other is what makes me so happy.

The world has so many faces, but somehow, I found yours. The tenderness you offer is what I spent my youth searching for, and yet, when I met you, I couldn’t hide the way my eyes lit up when I saw you.

It turns out, liking someone feels like this – even in a small, cramped room, it feels warm and cozy. Eating instant noodles together doesn’t get boring, and lying beside each other without saying anything doesn’t feel empty. It doesn’t matter where we go, as long as we’re together.

One day, love will come and sweep you off your feet, making you a different person. That person will give you a sense of safety, and motivate you to become a better version of yourself.

Love doesn’t need to be extravagant or flashy. It’s simply about two people who know and understand each other, and find happiness together. Fate has already brought us together, so no matter what we do, we can’t avoid it. If we’re meant to be, there’s no need to rush. In a sea of people, we’ll find each other eventually.

“Let your youth pass by without regret. The most beautiful time of a person’s life is their youth. So, let’s make this time special, let’s make our world meaningful during this vibrant season of life.” – A Tòn

Written by: Dương Hạnh