VietNamNet Bridge – The kiss between singer Dam Vinh Hung and a Buddhist monk at a charity show in HCM City has encountered backlash from the public. The HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it is considering the case.




On November 4, in a charity show in Ho Chi Minh City, singer Dam Vinh Hung offered a rare wine bottle for auction. Before the auction, he promised to kiss the auction winner.
 
Finally, the winners were two Buddhist monks, who bought the bottle for VND55 million ($2,500). Incidentally, Dam Vinh Hung did not hesitate to kiss the younger monk on his lips and the older monk on his hand.

The same-sex kiss between the male singer and the monk made the witness be stunned. The pictures "grabbing" the kisses have been quickly spread on the Internet and received harsh comments. Many people said that this image is so offensive, especially in an Asian country as Vietnam. It is harder to accept the same-sex kiss of a monk.

As soon as the case was reported by the local media, the two monks were identified. They were also penalized: being kept in for three months.

Although the two monks got pretty strict punishment, the public wave has not yet subsided. Many people said singer Dam Vinh Hung must be punished for putting a bad image to the public.
 
Mr. Vo Trong Nam, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City told Dan Tri that the authorities had heard about the incident and they were looking at it. "We are reviewing the matter and will have the answer to the press," Nam said.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nhan, an official of the Performing Arts Agency, said the agency would handle the case when it receives official reports from the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Compiled by P. Lan