VietNamNet Bridge – During his tour to Da Lat, an official of Vu Quang district in Ha Tinh province “kissed” the breast of the statue of Lady Biang. The district official is facing public criticism and a reprimand after his photo went online on July 22.

The controversial photo

Mr. Vo Dinh Quang, Chairman of the Inspection Committee of Vu Quang district, said on Monday that the official involved in the incident was reprimanded.

The same day, Mr. Pham Huu Binh, Party Secretary of Vu Quang District, also said that the district had reprimanded the official and asked the official to reflect on his action.

"It was extremely offensive. We gave him a stern warning and asked for a report on the incident. The district people's committee will hold a meeting about the issue," Binh said.

Previously, on July 22, one posted a photo featuring a man kissing the breast of statue Lady Biang, a symbol of love in the tourist city of Da Lat on his Facebook. The photo immediately caught attention of netizens.

The man in the photo was identified as Phan Tuan Anh, a staff of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Vu Quang district.

The one who uploaded the photo was Mr. Tran Le, Chief of Vu Quang District People's Committee Office.

Tuan Anh later admitted that he was drunk when he committed the controversial act with the statue.

Tran Le acknowledged that the photo was posted on his personal Facebook page, but he did not upload it.

Le said a driver in his office used Le’s cellphone to take pictures for people in his group during the tour to Da Lat from July 19 to 22. This man later posted the picture. Le then removed the photo.

Le said he did not think that this was considered a serious act by the public.

Mr. Pham Quoc Thanh, Vice Chair of Vu Quang district, said the act of his subordinates is improper. "We had asked those involved in the case to seriously review their acts. We will seriously handle this case," Thanh said.

The statue of Lady Biang relates to a folk love story of the Co Ho ethnic, between a man named K’lang and a woman named H'biang.

As they were born in rival tribes, they could not get married. They decided to leave together but H'Biang fell seriously ill so K'Lang brought her back the village for treatment. However, they were attacked.

H'Biang died after taking an arrow aimed toward K'Lang. K'Lang returned to the mountain where they had lived and committed suicide. After their deaths, the tribes grieved and merged into one. They became the Co Ho ethnic group.

The mountain where the couple had lived named Lang Biang and the river named Da Nhim, or tears in the Co Ho language.