VietNamNet Bridge - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has decided to levy a VND8 million ($400) fine on several websites for posting songs withvulgar lyrics which go against the habits, customs and cultural traditions of Vietnam.

The song "Phieu Be Ngoan" by Yanbi (right) has been removed from online music sites for vulgar lyrics.

The decision was made after local newspapers reported public complaints about the obscene lyrics of several “underground” songs that were uploaded by several music websites.

Several singers, including Yanbi, Bueno and Mr. T released a song called "Phieu Be Ngoan" via the internet. The song became controversial as it contains many sexual references and innuendos.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Phan Dinh Tan, said, "I have lived in western countries and there is no country which would consider such obscene words normal. Why don't we learn from their best instead of mimicking things taken from the dirty corners?"

Tan said that, after receiving the news from the media, the ministry's inspectorate is investigating further and will apply punishments in accordance with the law. "Fine area weak form of punishment. I think the heaviest punishment would be for audiences to ignore artists. The website ZingMP3 music removed the song, thereby showing responsibility. I also think they should be more efficient in managing their content," he said.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has asked other music websites to review their content and take down songs with explicit lyrics that clash with Vietnamese culture.

The two online music sites named Chacha and Nhacvui were fined VND8 million ($400) each for posting the song  “Phieu Be Ngoan”.

Some other music sites like Zing Mp3 and Nhaccuatui also posted the song and they would also be fined, said Mr. Tran Van Minh, Deputy Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

He also said that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism was investigating the vocalists who performed these songs, including Yanbi, Bueno, Mr.A, TMT and Mr. T, and they would be punished in accordance with the law.

These are singers of “underground” or unofficial music, which is popular among youth through songs posted online.

Mr. Ngo Hoang Quan, Deputy Director of the Department of Performing Arts, said that these vocalists would not be licenced to perform at public stages.

Last year, Yanbi and Mr. T were fined VND10 million (USD476) after they used explicit lyrics during concert in Haiphong City.

VNN/Dan Tri