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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVietnam Abolishes Same-Sex Marriage Ban, Taking Lead in Gay Rights
The revised law, while not officially recognizing same-sex marriage, places the communist country at the forefront of countries in Asia becoming more accepting of gay people. The National Assemblys move is expected to attract more lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender travelers and boost Vietnams $9 billion tourism industry.
This makes Vietnam a leader in Asia, Jamie Gillen, a researcher of culture geography at National University of Singapore, said by phone. Singapore just reaffirmed its ban on homosexual behaviors. Vietnam is trying to pitch itself as a tolerant and safe country.
Vietnams new marriage law, which went into effect New Years Day, abolished regulations that prohibit marriage between people of the same sex.
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.
No other country in Southeast Asia has taken as big a step toward accepting same-sex marriage as Vietnam, Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said by phone.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-07/gay-weddings-planned-as-vietnam-marriage-law-is-repealed.html
This picture taken on Aug. 3, 2014 shows some same-sex couples sitting in the compound of the American Club, the venue of the annual Vietnam Pride Parade party, in Hanoi.
Photographer: Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP/Getty Images