A national discussion in Hanoi focused on preserving artistic integrity amid growing concerns over performance authenticity and AI-generated content.
Cultural managers, artists and industry experts have gathered to discuss ways to address dishonest practices in performance, including lip-syncing and mimed instrument playing, while also tackling concerns over careless creative work and the growing use of artificial intelligence in artistic production.
As digital technology continues to reshape society, Vietnam's arts and cultural sector is facing both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges related to professional standards and creative responsibility. These issues were at the center of a seminar titled "Preserving Authenticity in Artistic Performance and Creative Responsibility in the Digital Era."
The event was organized on May 29 in Hanoi by the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations in collaboration with the Vietnam Musicians' Association and the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, under the direction of the Central Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization.
Lip-syncing becoming a widespread problem
Tran Thanh Lam, member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization, speaks at the seminar.
Speaking at the opening session, Associate Professor and musician Do Hong Quan, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations, said the seminar aimed to gather opinions from music and theater professionals, event organizers, producers, performance regulators and cultural authorities.
Playwright Nguyen Dang Chuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, emphasized that literature and the arts remain essential components of national cultural identity and play a special role in the spiritual life of society. However, despite many achievements, recent years have also seen a number of troubling developments that have raised public concern.
According to Chuong, among the most notable are dishonest performance practices such as lip-syncing and mimed instrument playing, along with a growing tendency toward carelessness and lack of responsibility in creative work, particularly as AI-generated content becomes more common. The seminar was organized to assess the situation, analyze the causes and seek solutions to protect the core artistic values of truth, goodness and beauty in a changing environment.
One of the most debated topics was the persistence of lip-syncing in live performance.
People's Artist Vuong Duy Bien, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations and Chairman of the Vietnam Cultural Industries Development Association, described lip-syncing as a "widespread disease" affecting many artistic programs today, from children's performances to major public events.
According to Bien, many organizers prioritize operational safety over artistic value, choosing pre-recorded tracks instead of live performances out of concern about being held responsible if technical problems occur.
"Even the rustling of a costume or an artist's emotional pauses are part of the artistic experience. If there is wind and rain outdoors but the sound remains as flawless as a studio recording, audiences immediately recognize it as lip-syncing," he said, describing the practice as a form of "fake art" that diminishes the value of stage performance.
Sharing a similar view, People's Artist Tran Quoc Chiem, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Literature and Arts Associations and Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Literature and Arts Associations, argued that authenticity in the arts extends beyond singing live or lip-syncing. It is also reflected in costumes, props and the overall language of performance.
He noted that many programs now feature costumes, visual designs and lyrics that deviate from accepted standards and fail to reflect national cultural values. Chiem also stressed the importance of content review and professional ethics education for young artists.
"We cannot use costumes or stage effects to conceal carelessness in performance. Genuine emotion in a singer's voice is what truly keeps audiences engaged," he said.
AI should support creativity, not replace it
Singer Duyen Quynh sparked debate after being seen lip-syncing during the Green Wave Awards ceremony earlier this year. Photo: File photo
The role of artificial intelligence in music creation also attracted considerable discussion.
Songwriter Giang Son, who has spent many years composing music and serving on judging panels for major music competitions, shared concerns based on her professional experience.
She said AI is becoming increasingly embedded in the music industry and is creating new challenges for practitioners. Son recalled judging a music competition in which one participant submitted 24 AI-generated songs, surprising both her and fellow judges.
"What concerns me is not only the technology itself but also the self-respect of the artist," she said, calling for clear regulations and penalties to prevent the misuse of AI in creative work and to protect professional ethics.
A more balanced perspective was offered by People's Artist Tan Minh, Director of the Thang Long Song and Dance Theatre.
According to him, AI represents a global trend that the arts sector cannot ignore. The key issue is ensuring that technology serves as a tool to support creativity rather than replacing the creative role of human beings.
Regarding lip-syncing, Tan Minh acknowledged that performers and organizers often face practical constraints related to budgets, technical requirements and the nature of specific events. Professional ticketed performances generally prioritize live singing, while entertainment programs involving intensive choreography often rely on backing tracks for health and performance reasons, even when artists are not fully lip-syncing.
He said striving for fully live performances remains an important goal but requires a clear roadmap, strategic planning and coordinated efforts from organizers, production teams and artists alike.
Artistic sincerity remains irreplaceable
In his closing remarks, Tran Thanh Lam, Deputy Head of the Central Commission for Communication, Education and Mass Mobilization, reaffirmed that literature and the arts occupy a uniquely important place within culture.
If culture forms the spiritual foundation of society, he said, then the arts represent its most refined and essential expression.
Lam stressed that technology only has value when it helps improve creative quality and enrich artistic expression. It can never replace dedicated artistic labor or the genuine emotions that come from the heart of an artist.
"An artistic culture built on carelessness and sustained by deceptive shortcuts at the expense of public trust will eventually be rejected," he said.
Lam called on arts associations to strengthen their role as professional homes for artists by expanding training opportunities while reinforcing ethical standards. He also urged regulators to continue refining policies suitable for the digital environment and encouraged event organizers and media organizations to act as responsible gatekeepers rather than promoting superficial trends for profit or online engagement.
Addressing young artists directly, he encouraged them to continue learning, strengthen their professional integrity and protect their public image.
"Let each of your works become a building block in shaping the values of the modern Vietnamese citizen - patriotic, honest, responsible and creative," Tran Thanh Lam said.
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