Registration required for Hoan Kiem street performances

To Van Dong, director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports has demanded performers must report to the authorities if they want to perform in Hoan Kiem District’s pedestrianised areas.

To Van Dong, director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports has demanded performers must report to the authorities if they want to perform in Hoan Kiem District’s pedestrianised areas.

  

Street performers must register with the authorities.

On July 28, a 15-year-old boy was playing the violin on the pedestrian street for money for charity when he was asked for his performance licence by the police. His mother accused the police of screaming at her son on an online post. She later apologised as she was not with the boy at the time.

To Van Dong, director of Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports said there was no licence required but the performers must inform and register with the department so that they can manage the content and performing locations.

The department has asked many people who have performed over the past six months to register but people rarely comply with the red tape.

According to the authorities, the performers are only allowed to perform at certain locations such as Ba Kieu Temple or Hang Khay Street. The authorities have issued warnings to street performers and those who use loudspeakers.

Nguyen Quang Long, head of a Xam singing group from Hoan Kiem District Sports and Culture Centre, said they had to submit paperwork to the department every month outlining the content and changes in their material. Long and guitarist Tran Chi Hieu thought this was a great idea.

"I support the idea that we need detailed regulations for street performance as the current activities are causing noise pollution," Long said.

Heads of the Department of Culture and Sports said they wanted to maintain a high aesthetics for the pedestrian street and asked Hoan Kiem authorities to develop regulations to manage the street performances.

Article 15, Resolution 79 issued in 2012 also stated that the individuals and groups must report to the departments of culture, sports and tourism about the purpose, content, time and location for public performances.