I am one of the lucky men who managed to find love with a foreign bride ("Fewer men finding love with foreign wives"; Nov 13).

My Vietnamese wife and I met on an online dating website and chatted for a year before I decided to meet her in Vietnam. We married in Singapore about two years after the first meeting. We are now the proud parents of a four-year-old boy.

If there is any lesson I have learnt, it is the adage "act in haste, repent at leisure". Since marriage is a lifelong commitment, one must first be very clear about the "perils" of marrying a foreign bride.

The differences in culture could sometimes lead to conflict in areas such as child-rearing and dealing with relationships and in-laws.

For instance, a child riding pillion on a motorcycle is considered normal in Vietnam, but is frowned upon in Singapore.

One must also not place too much emphasis on physical beauty. Not all beautiful things are good, but all good things are beautiful.

After six years of marriage, I must say that I have no regrets about marrying a foreign bride. I hope that all Singaporean men who are thinking of taking the leap will exercise due diligence and then go with all their heart.

Simon Owen Khoo Kim San