Singer Tuấn Hưng on his "Balcony Corner" show on September 3 night to the crowd of people and fans at his residence on Hàng Khay Street, Hoàn Kiếm District. — Photo from the singer's Facebook page

HÀ NỘI — A famous pop singer has been fined VNĐ12.5 million (US$531) for conducting 'musical shows' from his balcony and using loudspeakers without permission in the Hoàn Kiếm pedestrian area in Hà Nội.

Hoàn Kiếm District People's Committee said it had summoned Nguyễn Tuấn Hưng, the 43-year-old singer who came to fame in the late 90s-early 20s with pop ballad hits, to receive the sanction on Friday morning.

Hưng did not turn up, but an authorised representative pledged to pay the fine within the day and to follow regulations in Hưng's next performances.

Hưng later posted on Facebook a receipt proving his payment of the fine, with the caption saying that he would complete necessary legal procedures to get the shows back and running legally.

Hoàn Kiếm People's Committee said the singer received fines for administrative violations in the field of culture and advertising as prescribed in Government's Decree 38 (dated March 29, 2021) when holding a live show on the balcony of his own private house without permission.

The district said the singer has been holding free-of-charge musical performances from the balcony of his home at No.19 Hàng Khay Street since 2019, usually to a crowd of cheering people. The shows went on hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic but made a return in the last month.

Local authorities have previously requested the singer to follow the rules but Tuấn Hưng rejected such demands, saying that this is a balcony of his private residence, not a public space.

Hoàn Kiếm District authorities noted that they welcome the artistic performances, but the singer needs permission from the city's Department of Culture and Sports first.

If Tuấn Hưng gets permission, they also would be willing to provide support to ensure public security and order at the site so that the shows could be a highlight feature of the pedestrian space, the district said.

According to Bùi Hoài Sơn, permanent member of the Culture and Education Committee of the National Assembly, the singer's wishes to contribute to society and satisfy his fans are fine. The public spaces need cultural performances that draw mass attention like this, but legal regulations must not be flaunted.

Handling of this case should be appropriate, so all parties involved should understand and feel 'reasonable,' so that there could still be performances and cultural activities that serve the public and befit a public space while still complying with noise, security, or safety regulations. — VNS