China is to crack down on the purchase of Vietnamese brides, Beijing Times has reported.
 
They have become popular among low-income Chinese young men as Vietnamese women are perceived as being less materialistic and more obedient than Chinese wives, said the newspaper.
 
China and Vietnam ban marriage agencies that introduce overseas people to the domestic population.
 
People aren’t products to be traded, and such business may involve abduction and marriage frauds, said Chen Shiqu, director of the government’s Child-Trafficking Strike Office.
 
However, there is a trade in finding Vietnamese brides.
 
"If you join in our dating group to Vietnam, we will provide at least 300 local women for you to choose from,” says material from online marriage agency Vietnam Brides.
 
Meanwhile, a group purchase website, 55tuan.com, has launched a “lucky draw” campaign for single Chinese men if they find a Vietnamese bride. It promises a round-trip ticket refund for the winner.
 
"Go to Vietnam to find a bride who doesn’t see a house and car as the premise of marriage,” says its website.
 
But such activities often pose a risk because trafficking is often involved.
 
A Beijing native surnamed He had spent 70,000 yuan (US$11,494) on two Vietnamese brides successively, but both ran away and he was fired by his company because he stayed in Vietnam for so long, according to a Beijing Youth Daily report.
 
After paying 30,000 yuan to an agency, He went to Vietnam. There, he was told that young and beautiful women from rural areas who wanted to marry overseas men would be gathered.
 
He’s first bride was a 21-year-old who refused his advances and ran back home.
 
After paying another 20,000 yuan, He met a 30-year-old woman. This time, he brought his wife back to Beijing, but she left 20 days later, saying her grandfather was sick. He has not seen her since.
 
"These marriage agents trap you step by step,” He said.