Vietnam Television (VTV) has apologised to its viewers about false information in a recent episode of "The 7th Wish" reality programme featuring a street singer couple.

Nguyen Nhat Thanh and Nguyen Nhu Dao.

The reality show "The 7th Wish", which is broadcast by VTV3, helps make people's wishes come true. In the most recent episode, featuring a love story about street singer couple Nguyen Nhu Dao and Nguyen Nhat Thanh, helped the duo compete on the "Sao Mai Diem Hen" music contest programme.

After the episode was broadcast, a viewer alleged some of the facts in their story were untrue. Vietnam Television conducted an investigation and came to the same conclusion.

"The crew did not follow protocol verifying the facts and carelessly broadcasted the episode," VTV said in a statement. "Vietnam Television will tighten its inspection procedures and take appropriate action over transgressions."

"Vietnam Television accepts all responsibility and sincerely apologises to the families of Nguyen Nhu Dao and Nguyen Nhat Thanh, especially his wife and children for any distress caused to them.

"We also want to apologize to all viewers over the severe mistakes caused during the production."

In the episode storyline, Thanh is the only son of a good family in Quang Xuong Commune, Thanh Hoa Province, and graduated Vietnam National Academy of Music. Despite family prejudice, he fell in love and married with a poor blind girl who also loves singing.

They named their daughter Sao Mai, after the top music competition 'Sao Mai Diem Hen', hoping she would one day be on stage. 'The 7th Wish' helped the couple compete on 'Sao Mai Diem Hen.'

At Quang Xuong Commune, Thanh's father said Thanh's real name is Nguyen Ba Thanh. He has already married, has two children. and dropped out of school at the age of 15. Thanh often goes fishing with his father to make money.

Thanh's father said he never met anyone from Vietnam Television nor had anyone approached him to verify the facts behind the story before the episode went to air.

Dao's father said he first met Thanh in 2012 and was surprised when Thanh wanted to take care of his blind daughter. He was happy when Dao gave birth to a daughter one year later. There is no record that Dao and Thanh registered their marriage.

He said a crew from VTV came to take shots of Thanh and Dao's daily lives about five months ago. He said Thanh had admitted he was already married and has two children. Thanh then severed all ties with Dao's family.

Dao's family does not blame Thanh, but wants him to take responsibility for the care of their daughter.

Dtinews