Image: YouTube/The Bachelor Vietnam – Anh Chàng Độc Thân
“The Bachelor” recently found an international iteration in Vietnam, and proved that its novel dating show is welcome abroad, more so after a recent episode did not hold back on twists.
During a rose ceremony, wherein the show’s lead expresses who he is interested in by offering his preferred girl a rose, contestant Minh Thu was eliminated by bachelor Quoc Trung.
She broke down in tears, but not exactly out of heartbreak: “I went into this competition to find love, and I’ve found that love for myself, but it isn’t with you. It’s with someone else.”
She then walked over to fellow contestant Truc Nhu who had received a rose and asked her to leave with her.
Nhu faced Trung to return the rose, but was faced with opposition from the show’s host and Trung himself.
After some hesitation, she stuck to her decision and left the ceremony with Thu.
Though it seemed to be a somber experience, on Twitter netizens outside of Vietnam were thrilled for the two women.
“It’s honestly amazing how brave she was. When she said ‘let’s go home together.’ I felt it,” said Twitter user @momotozakis.
https://twitter.com/momotozakis/status/1043437537258139649
“I am releasing positive energy into the world for those bisexual Vietnamese women,” @_crashbox said.
https://twitter.com/_CRASHBOX/status/1044620521898299392
But the romance was short-lived. After a heart-to-heart between the bachelor and Nhu, the contestant decided to stay.
At home, there was hardly buzz of it on social media or mainstream media, reports the New York Times. Vietnam allowed same-sex weddings in 2015, but rights such as adoption of children have yet to be legalized. Still, it is said to be a leader on gay rights in conservative Southeast Asia. /ra
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