In Dai Mao, a residential cluster in Mao Dien ward, Bac Ninh province, residents are embroiled in a dispute over the village’s loudspeaker system that begins broadcasting at 4:30 a.m. each day. For younger citizens like Ngo Thi Hong, this practice is no longer compatible with contemporary lifestyles.

“The speakers start with music before dawn. In summer, it's 4:30; in winter, it's around 4:45. People no longer work the same hours as in the past. We go to bed late, our children study into the night, and now we’re woken up too early,” said Hong.

Hong’s guest, who had stayed over one night, confirmed the disruption: “I couldn’t sleep. I was jolted awake by the loudspeaker at 4:30 and gave up trying to rest.”

Others, like Nguyen Thi Yen, also called on local authorities to reconsider the broadcast timing. Yet, not everyone agrees. Longtime resident Le Thi Anh sees the early speakers as an established routine. “It’s been this way for decades. It helps people organize their day.”

Trinh Duc Thong, head of the Dai Mao neighborhood, emphasized that the loudspeakers - 30 operated by the community and 20 by the ward - have existed for decades. “It’s like a village rule. The morning program includes wake-up music and news reminders to encourage productivity and healthy habits.”

He acknowledged differing views between age groups but asserted that decisions must reflect the community’s consensus. “If the majority disagrees, we can’t continue. It has to be based on public opinion.”

Nguyen Huu Tuyen, chairman of Mao Dien ward, echoed that the system falls under community authority. “The ward can only suggest, not impose. If the residents agree and it’s in the neighborhood convention, it becomes binding.”

Still, public feedback suggests a growing divide. A citizen recently submitted another complaint via the provincial e-portal, citing the loudspeaker’s 4:30 a.m. broadcast as a violation of Vietnam’s environmental laws and Decree 144/2021 on public order.

The response from the ward was revealing: “Have you heard the saying, ‘The king’s law yields to village customs’? That’s why we’ve asked the neighborhood to hold another public vote.”

The same citizen criticized this reply as dismissive, arguing that cultural values should evolve and reflect broader principles such as respect and community wellbeing. “The justification is outdated. We’re no longer living in that era.”

The situation in Bac Ninh is not unique. In Da Nang, residents of Dien Ban Dong ward raised similar complaints. Loudspeakers installed on electric poles began broadcasting around 5:00 a.m., causing significant discomfort.

“Many people now work late into the night. Morning rest is vital, and these broadcasts are disruptive,” one local shared via the city’s feedback portal.

In response, ward officials promised to review and adjust the broadcast schedule, directing the local public service provider to find a more suitable time.

Elsewhere in the city, residents in An Khe ward objected to nonstop broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the central bus station. “The volume is excessive, especially for households near Le Thach street,” they said.

Following complaints, the Da Nang Department of Construction committed to coordinating with the transport company to ensure speakers deliver essential information without disturbing nearby residents.

The loudspeaker system, once a vital tool for public messaging, is now at a crossroads. Once symbols of state connectivity, many now see them as intrusive relics. Broken or blaring, perched on utility poles, or directed into bedroom windows, their presence raises a crucial question: When does tradition become noise?

Bao Khanh - Ha Nam