Inspectors from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) officially fined singer Dam Vinh Hung VND5 million (USD240) for a charge of "indecent behaviour", following the singer’s kissing of two monks at a charity event.

 The two monks were confined

Although the fine was criticised for being too small, MCST Inspector Vu Xuan Thanh, said it was the highest punishment available under current regulations for indecent behaviour by artists.

On November 4, Dam Vinh Hung auctioned a bottle of wine at a charity event for a fellow singer, Wanbi Tuan Anh who is suffering from a rare pituitary protuberance and needed money for treatment abroad.

Hung promised everyone at the event that he'd kiss anyone who bought the bottle.

After two monks, Thich Giac An and Thich Giac Dinh, won the bid at VND55 million (USD2,636) he kept the promise and kissed the young monk. The older monk refused so the singer kissed his hand instead.

However, the kiss caused public controversy following its release on internet.

The two monks explained that they are only representatives for an anonymous Buddhist, and they had not bought the wine themselves.

They later were confined to the pagoda for three months. Thich Giac An, the older monk, who was head of Quan Am (Avalokiteshvara) Pagoda has been temporarily striped off the duty.

Singer Dam Vinh Hung and two monks have apologised to the public, Buddhist nuns and monks nationwide.

Singer Dam Vinh Hung kept his promise