In the wake of a social media controversy involving singer Le Quyen, a representative of HCM City’s Department of Culture and Sports emphasized the need for public figures in the arts to uphold professional ethics and maintain respectful conduct toward their audiences.

On the afternoon of January 15, Pham Dac My Tran, Acting Head of the Department's Electronic Information Division, addressed the incident surrounding Le Quyen’s recent online behavior.

Tran pointed to the existing Code of Conduct for Social Media, which was issued to promote a healthy, civilized online environment and outline ethical standards for digital interaction.

Two guiding principles of the code - decency and accountability - were highlighted. Decency refers to behavior that aligns with Vietnamese cultural values and moral traditions, while accountability reminds individuals and organizations that they are fully responsible for the content they post and the manner in which they engage online.

Article 4 of the Code of Conduct explicitly prohibits the posting of content that violates laws, insults others’ dignity, or uses vulgar or culturally inappropriate language.

Additionally, there is a specific code of conduct for those working in the arts. This separate framework defines the standards expected of artists, encouraging them to promote positive values, kindness, and aesthetics - while rejecting negativity and encouraging good to overcome bad.

According to the Department, these two sets of guidelines are closely intertwined. Artists, as public figures, are expected to behave sincerely, appropriately, and in a friendly manner that fosters a positive image in the eyes of the public.

“We sincerely hope that artists will use these frameworks to shape an increasingly dignified and respectful public image,” said Tran.

From a legal perspective, the regulatory body affirmed that Vietnam already has a robust legal foundation governing online content and behavior. Laws such as the Cybersecurity Law and Decree 147/2024/ND-CP on Internet service and information management clearly define the responsibilities of individuals and organizations in the digital space.

Violations, including offensive or harmful behavior online, may be subject to legal review and punishment as stipulated by current regulations.

“As the state management authority for cultural affairs in Ho Chi Minh City, we call on artists to continually cultivate their professional ethics and to treat the public with civility and respect,” Tran stated.

“After all, it is the public that provides the emotional energy for artists to flourish in their craft.”

When asked whether the Department had officially summoned Le Quyen for questioning, Tran said they would provide an update to the press in due course.

What happened with Le Quyen?

The controversy began after Le Quyen shared a video clip on the social media platform Threads. In the clip, she wore a traditional ethnic costume with the caption “Mi oi” (roughly “Hey Mi”) under her verified username “lequyensinger.”

A user commented, “Her flop era lowkey serving,” implying that although her popularity had waned, she still had a captivating presence.

Le Quyen responded harshly, expressing anger and allegedly insulting the commenter. When the user shared a screenshot of the interaction with the caption “Help, I’m crying,” the singer doubled down, posting two more strongly worded replies.

Her reaction shocked many online. Some observers suggested she may have misunderstood the English-language comment due to limited comprehension or misreading.

As the backlash escalated, Le Quyen attempted to clarify her actions in a follow-up post, but her explanation failed to gain public sympathy.

Le Quyen is known for regularly clapping back at critical comments on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Her responses to online detractors have often sparked heated discussions about the responsibilities of artists in public spaces.

Tuan Chieu