Ho Chi Minh City proposes to ban performances of deviant artists, is Jack at risk?

The Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department has just issued a document to relevant departments, branches and units, requesting to strengthen management, inspection and rectification of music performance activities in the city.

The document clearly states the request to consider inviting artists whose compositions, words or performances are considered to be against public morals to participate in cultural and artistic programs, events and festivals organized by the city.

Notably, the document specifically mentioned a number of artists whose songs or performances have caused strong controversy in recent times. Among them, the case of singer Jack has attracted the most attention. The singer born in 1997 was mentioned after his performance in Hanoi on October 16 with lyrics that were considered vulgar and arrogant, causing negative reactions from the public. Not long before, Jack was also fined 55 million VND and banned from performing for 9 months because of a performance that was considered offensive on stage in Hanoi.

Besides Jack, many familiar names in the rap industry such as Phao (with the song Su Nghiep Chuong ), HIEUTHUHAI ( Trinh ), Gducky, CLME, DSK, Andree, Bray - Dat G, Andree - Binh Gold... were also listed for having music products that use careless, offensive language, promote negative lifestyles or have content that evokes violence and social evils.

According to the agency issuing the document, the situation of cultural deviation in music is becoming more complicated, especially in the field of rap and products that spread strongly on social networks. These contents, when received uncontrolled and popularized among young people, can negatively affect good customs and traditions as well as shape wrong perceptions in a segment of listeners. Therefore, the management measures proposed this time aim to create a foundation for a healthier and more civilized cultural and artistic environment.

The proposed solutions do not only limit the number of artists who violate the law appearing at city events, but also include strengthening the inspection of performance activities, tightening the content assessment before granting licenses, and strictly handling violations. In addition, management units are also required to coordinate with professional associations, critics and the press to promote propaganda, guide tastes, and encourage artists to create in a humane and standard way.

After the document was published, public opinion immediately reacted strongly and most of them agreed. On social media platforms, many readers said that this was a "necessary and timely move", especially in the context of young people being exposed to a large amount of uncensored entertainment content. Some parents expressed concern when many vulgar songs appeared on the trending list, were sung along to by children or used as a trend on TikTok without fully understanding the meaning.

Some other opinions consider that naming the artist in the document is a clear deterrent, helping to increase the responsibility of artistic creators. Previously, the online community has repeatedly expressed the desire for domestic authorities to take stronger measures against acts that deviate from artistic standards. Many recent scandals, especially from A-list stars, have made the public worry that the line between creativity and vulgarity is being blurred. Therefore, this move by Ho Chi Minh City is considered an important step in the process of building a clean, healthy music environment that is consistent with Vietnamese cultural values.

Ho Chi Minh City "blows the whistle" on a series of young singers using offensive lyrics, promoting deviant lifestyles. An chi14:24:08 27/10/2025Faced with the widespread situation of deviant and offensive songs, the Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee issued Document 69-CV/BTGDVTU to rectify musical activities and orient compositions towards cultural standards.