A sham marriage means making use of marriage for immigration, residence or naturalization in Vietnam or a foreign country; for enjoying preferential regimes of the State or for another purpose other than that of building a family.

Sham marriages do not violate the regulations of voluntary marriage and is legal in terms of the conditions to get married. However, the purpose of marriage does not meet the requirements of the law and the marriage and procedures are mere formalities. The parties to the marriage generally do not live together and may divorce after they have achieved their goal.

Therefore, a sham marriage for any purpose is prohibited as it is not intended to establish a family. This marriage will be annulled by the Court at the request of the subject who has the right to request an annulment of the illegal marriage.