The culture ministry’s Performing Arts Department has sent documents to culture, sports and tourism departments in localities throughout the country asking agencies . . .

Singer My Tam.

“However, concerned agencies have found no evidence of lip-syncing in the cases mentioned by the media,” he said.

“Many singers and organisers have cheated management agencies by singing while obtaining performance permission, and then after have lip-synced at live shows. Even when examiners suddenly check the live shows and discover singers lip-syncing, they cannot stop the shows immediately but only deal with the organisers after the event has finished,” Thang said.

No fines yet

So far, no singers have been fined by lip-syncing.

However, many singers have been told to lip-sync to ensure audio quality during television shows. Some cases have had amusing consequences where a singer may accidentally drop their microphone, only for their singing voice still to be heard.

“If lip-syncing happens on television shows, then the director of that programme is responsible,” he said.

Decree 56 issued in 2006 by the government defines that a fine of between VND2-5 million (US$108-270) will be imposed in cases where tapes, discs or other audio facilities replace the voice of stage performers. However the level fine is not considered threatening enough to singers with high incomes.

“If we sing to for an audience and satisfy our professional desire, why should we lip-sync,” said pop singer My Tam, “I think that singing is joy and a chance to sing is a chance for us to practice. I don’t understand why there are singers that don’t want to use and improve their voice.”

Le Van Loc, a cultural expert from the HCM City’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, was surprised by the reaction of a man at a performance he attended. The man would sometimes clap enthusiastically and occasionally remain silent after a song finished.

“I just clap for singers who really sing and don’t cheer for the ones who lip-sync,” the man explained.

The audience can easily tell the difference, and are clear in their expectations and respect for real performers Loc concluded.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News