# Vietnam Abolishes Same-Sex Marriage Ban **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 9, 2015, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364 "2015-01-09T01:46:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364/1 "2015-01-09T01:46:14Z")
Story [here](http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/455253/vietnam-takes-gay-rights-lead-in-se-asia). A new law took effect in Vietnam on New Year’s Day. While not explicitly recognizing same-sex marriages, it strikes down bans on them: **“Same-sex marriages can now take place, though the government does not recognize them or provide legal protections in cases of disputes. The government abolished fines that were imposed on homosexual weddings in 2013.”** This puts Vietnam at the forefront of gay rights in Southeast Asia. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364/2 "2015-01-09T02:25:45Z")
Oh, and I should also point out that the new US ambassador to Vietnam is gay. Presented his credentials last month and lives in Hanoi with his spouse and their son. That’s mentioned in the story too. The times, they are a-changin’. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364/3 "2015-01-09T03:24:45Z")
So basically Vietnam now allows same-sex couples to hold commitment ceremonies without being fined, but the ban on same-sex marriage hasn’t actually been lifted since there’s no legal recognition of the unions. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364/4 "2015-01-09T04:11:50Z")
It’s a start. Better than current law in India at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364/5 "2015-01-09T04:15:10Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > So basically Vietnam now allows same-sex couples to hold commitment ceremonies without being fined, but the ban on same-sex marriage hasn’t actually been lifted since there’s no legal recognition of the unions. :dubious: Not a whole lot different than most of the US just a few short years ago. The ban appears to be lifted in that people can get SSM (commitment ceremonies) without fear of fines. It just carries no legal weight. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364/6 "2015-01-10T02:09:01Z")
Plus like the story says, with a gay US ambassador the Vietnamese can see that hey! These people are just like normal folk after all. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vietnam-abolishes-same-sex-marriage-ban/709364/7 "2015-01-10T02:15:16Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Plus like the story says, with a gay US ambassador the Vietnamese can see that hey! These people are just like normal folk after all. Um, clarification: I don’t mean I think gays are _ab_normal. I meant that’s just what the Vietnamese will say.