Which Customs and Practices Are Applied in Marriage and Family Relations?

The 2014 Law on Marriage and Family tends to limit the use of customs. However, the 2000 Law on Marriage and Family requires that the customs which express the national identity shall not be contrary to the general principles of the Law such as: progressive voluntary marriage, monogamy, and equality between husband and wife; the husband and wife have the obligation to implement population and family planning policy; The State and society do not recognize discrimination between children, between sons and daughters, and between biological children and adopted children who must be respected and promoted equally. The 2014 Law on Marriage and Family, on the other hand, only allows the use of customs and traditions where they are not governed by the law and the parties are unable to reach an agreement, provided that such customs and practices are not contrary to the principles of the Law and do not violate the specific provisions of the Law.

Thus, the 2000 Law on Marriage and Family tends to encourage the use of customs, such as the content of customs and practices specified in the Law and even involve prohibited acts, that can still be used, whereas the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family tends to limit the use of outdated customs by establishing more conditions for their application.