>> Small fine for scantily dressed singers

>> Vietnamese stars burnished by scandals

While in the past it might have been regarded as a regrettable scandal for an actor, singer or model’s private photographs to be leaked on the internet, it seems today an increasing number are more than happy to press release the media with shocking or titillating images.

Minh Hang was accused of wearing a costume that was unsuitable with Vietnamese cultural traditions at the Night of Beauties charity music show

Following Ngoc Quyen’s environmentally-themed nude shoot and Mr International Tien Doan’s underwear snaps, Vietnamese showbiz-watchers were left gob-smacked by the kinky mouse-couple themed underwear performance by Doan Tuan and Thu Hang. Singer Thuy Tien wasn’t to be outdone in the struggle for fame, when she filmed a video for one of her songs at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Art which included a scene where she cavorted near some sculptures of Vietnamese soldiers and mothers.

Kieu Trinh, the lead actress in the hit Vietnamese film Bi, Don’t Be Afraid also courted celebrity ‘hot’ status with two sets of lingerie photos featuring voluptuous poses.

Male singer Ngoc Son braved ridicule to release a seven-minute clip entitled “Ngoc Son Asian hot body,” which featured him wearing just a pair of small swimming trunks, while singer Ung Hoang Phuc also decided that revealing his abs in a recent hit video would garner increased attention.

The most recent controversy saw singers Minh Hang, Thuy Tien and Hoang Thuy Linh accused of wearing costumes that were unsuitable with Vietnamese cultural traditions at the Night of Beauties charity music show in the central province of Quang Binh last month.

Stricter sanctions demanded

Despite increasing numbers of supposed violations of good taste and questionable decency, authorities have only taken action after strong public outcries, and some have said the action has been slow in coming and the punishment often too light.

Model Bebe Pham and putative singer Ha Anh were fined just VND11 million (USD528.84) for their violations at the Diamond Night show, which included Ms. Pham’s low-cut dress that accidentally revealed her breast and Ha Anh’s short skirt that left little to the imagination. This included a VND3.5 million (USD168) for changing the already approved performance content themselves.

Authorities in Quang Binh Province also decided to fine the organiser of the Night of Beauties VND3.5 million for the outfits worn by their star-studded line-up, while the fashion show which displayed bikini wear, passed without comment or censure.

Pham Dinh Thang, Deputy Head of Arts Performing Department, admitted that the fines that had been issued were insufficient in terms of acting as a deterrent.

His department is currently acting as advisor to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on a draft decree on artistic performing regulations which will include the specific responsibilities of organisers and artists.

According to Vo Trong Nam, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, following the fines, violators should be suspended from performances for between three and six months and the organisers should have their business licenses revoked.

Doan Tuan and Thu Hang’s mouse-themed lingerie shoot

Model Bebe Pham and putative singer Ha Anh were fined just VND11 million (USD528.84) for their violations at the Diamond Night show

Fewer artists wear ball gowns on stage