The Vietnamese government has recently issued a decree that increases fines for local artists who are deemed to have violated regulations on performing arts to as much as VND40 million (USD1,892).
Decree 158 will take effect in January, tightening control over every phase of art performances, including work selections for performances, scripts, costumes, and behaviour on stage.
The new regulations will also mean that artists will be held accountable for their acts, and any deviations from what has been approved will be more strictly punished. Artists are not allowed to introduce new ideas during their shows.
Dam Vinh Hung may be fined for adding words to songs in a recent performance
A number of singers have recently changed their approved performances and stirred up controversy.
Those who wear costumes deemed "too sexy" will now be fined between VND5 million (USD236.60) and VND10 million (USD473.14).
This means that singer Ngan Khanh could face a higher fine than her most recent one of VND3.5 million (USD165.6) for accidentally revealing her breasts on a television show. Singer Thu Minh, model Thai Ha and singer Linda Trang Dai were also fined and crticised for similar occurrences.
New regulations sets higher fines for case like Ngan Khanh’s revealing breasts
Artists are discouraged from performing works that are banned. Any violations will be fined VND15 million (USD709.72). In June, musician Ngoc Dai was fined VND30 million (USD1,430) for illegally issuing and distributing the Thang Mo 1 (The Village Herald 1) CD, which was seen to be sexually explicit.
In addition, a fine of as much as VND35 million (USD1,656) will be applied to those who organise "sexy" or "violent" performances. Recently, the Next Top Club, the biggest club in Hanoi, was forced to shut down after uncovering several such violations, including holding a dance performance featuring the model and actress Angela Phuong Trinh, who danced scantily clothed. As a result, she has been temporarily suspended from performing and was fined VND3.5 million (USD167).
The regulation also requires those who attend foreign model and beauty contests to get a license in advance. Violators of this rule will be fined between VND15 million (USD709.72) and VND30 million (USD1,419).
Singer Que Van could be fined much more than her recent fine of VND15 million (USD709.72) for attending overseas beauty contest without a license
Recently, the singer Que Van, the first runner-up at the Miss Vietnam World 2013, and model Kim Duyen, the first runner-up at the Miss Vietnam Global 2013, were fined VND15 million each for not having licenses from the HCM City’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to attend the contests.
The regulation stipulates a fine of up to VND50 million (USD2,365) for producers of pornography. Those who store and copy such films face much lighter fines of around VND10 million (USD473.14).
