SÓC TRĂNG — Sóc Trăng Province on Tuesday (January 10) organised a mass wedding for 17 poor couples.

The couples were given make-up items and wedding rings, photographed and provided with cars and dresses for the wedding, while a party was hosted for their family and friends.

Each couple also received VNĐ1 million (US$44) in a bank account and a pair of cell phones.

The province Fatherland Front Committee gave the two most disadvantaged couples a house each costing VNĐ30 million ($1,325).

There was a parade of 17 cars decorated with flowers through the main streets of Sóc Trăng city, and this was televised live.

Nguyễn Thanh Duy, deputy secretary of the province Youth Union, said the mass wedding was aimed at improving public knowledge of a civilised wedding in line with the country’s customs.

It was also part of the province’s efforts to help disadvantaged people and help them set up peaceful and happy families, he said.

After the ceremony the couples attended a training course to learn how to set up a happy family and went on a honeymoon to the southern provinces of Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu and Đồng Nai, he said.

Lê Thị Kim Xuyến, chairwoman of the province Labour Federation, said it was a humanitarian event and would be held annually.

It was the third mass wedding in recent years to be organised in the Mekong Delta province by the local Youth Union, Labour Federation and Radio and Television Broadcasting Station. — VNS