Comparing Matrimonial Laws in India and Vietnam: Is a Uniform Civil Code Necessary?

India secured its independence from the British rule in 1947. Vietnam eliminated the presence of foreign military forces in 1975. Both countries have faced adversity through subjugation. The similarity does not end here. The family unit in both nations is given primary precedence and importance, as it is considered to be the nucleus of the society. However, while Vietnam regulates matrimony through the uniform code of Law on Marriage and Family, 2014, India does not have a uniform code.

India is a secular country where different religions are practiced freely. Matrimonial laws in India are governed by the personal laws of the parties depending on their religion, codified under different statutes, viz. Hindu Marriage Act, 1955; Muslim law; Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872; Parsi Marriage and Divorce Act, 1936; and Special Marriage Act, 1954. This paper will compare the status of matrimonial laws in India and Vietnam with an attempt to answer the question as to whether it is advisable to reconcile different personal laws under a uniform code for India.