Vietnam warning on celebrations
Vietnam's prime minister has asked the relevant authorities to ensure that weddings, funerals and other private celebrations are not
too flamboyant, according to the country's state media.
The Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper reported Prime Minister Phan Van Khai as saying that any violations would be dealt with
severely and immediately. Weddings among Vietnam's wealthy are frequently used by families to flaunt their money, and the
government has been trying to curtail excesses for several years. Late last year Mr Khai told state employees to set an example to
the rest of the population by toning down their family weddings and funerals.
Correspondents say the warnings have not been heeded, prompting this new threat of punishment from Mr Khai. According to Cong
An Nhan Dan, Mr Khai wrote to all ministries, state agencies and local governments last week asking them to increase their efforts
to ensure family events are kept simple affairs.
"It is necessary to criticise and severely deal with violations right away and determinedly," the paper added. However, flamboyant as
many of the ceremonies may be, Vietnam is nevertheless encouraging more of its citizens to get married.
Earlier this year, the National Assembly discussed legal changes which would push more people into marriage. According to figures
from provincial authorities, almost a million unmarried couples began living together in the three years up to 2000. Provincial
authorities have complained that the lack of legal marriages makes it hard for them to resolve property claims and protect other
rights when one partner leaves or dies.
BBC News - October 7, 2003
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