In Vietnam, busy young people turn to offline dating events to find connection

The 27-year-old office worker said demanding hours left him little time to date, and previous attempts on dating apps often led to disappointment when meeting in person.

"I used to meet people online, but when we met in real life, it didn't feel right," he said.

Like many young professionals in Vietnam, Hoa said his social circle had narrowed to colleagues, limiting opportunities to form new relationships.

In response, in-person dating events have begun attracting young people seeking more direct connections, while some are also turning to artificial intelligence tools for advice before meeting.

Hoa said he signed up for an event after seeing it on social media and carefully filled in his personal details, hoping to find someone compatible.

A week later, he attended a weekend gathering at a café in Thao Dien Ward, where participants rotated through short conversations.

Before the event, he said he used AI tools to ask what gift to bring and how to start conversations.

"After being advised, I started opening up to people I wouldn't have considered before," he said.

After several such meetings, Hoa said he realized he had been repeating the same preferences and decided to approach dating differently.

He later met his wife at an event organized by Clique83.

"I married her. It was serious — real love and marriage," he said.

Organizers say these events are structured to encourage interaction, with participants grouped by factors such as age and relationship goals.

Lam Vuong Buu Han, founder of Clique83, said attendees are asked not to use phones and to avoid asking about age or occupation to keep conversations natural.

"If you come here just to look at your phone, you might as well stay home and use a dating app," she said.

Each round typically lasts about 15 minutes before participants switch partners, while one-on-one coffee meetings are offered for those who prefer smaller settings.

In Hanoi, similar events have drawn young people with limited time for socializing.

Le Thuy Dung, a 27-year-old office worker, said she joined a free event after being encouraged by colleagues.

"At first I felt shy because everyone was a stranger, but with the host guiding us, it quickly became easier to talk," she said.

Dung said she also used AI tools beforehand to practice conversations and prepare for the meeting.

After the event, hosted by Hanoidate, she stayed in touch with one participant and said meeting in person helped reduce hesitation compared with online exchanges.

Tran Thuy Duong, who founded Hanoidate, said the idea came from her own experience.

"Many young people have few chances to meet in real life, while online dating often does not meet expectations," she said.

She said the events are free to encourage participation, though organizers must balance different expectations among attendees.

Some organizers say their goal extends beyond introductions, aiming to build communities where couples can continue to receive support after forming relationships.

For Hoa, the process led to a lasting outcome.

"I didn't expect it at first," he said. "But it worked."