Vietnamese brides of Chinese men find it difficult to adapt to life in their new surroundings, but appear keen to make the most of the situation. Guo Shuhan reports

A Rui has got used to life without friends, or even talking to her husband. The newly married Vietnamese bride, handicapped by her poor Chinese, admits she has found it difficult to adapt to life in Beijing, though she says she is quite content. She has put on a bit of weight, to add to her previous 37 kg, thanks to the comparatively comfortable life she has here as a housewife.

"It's freezing in winter and I feel lonely sometimes," the 35-year-old says in broken Mandarin. "But life is better and my husband is kind."