Authorities in Da Nang City, central Vietnam have announced a decision to levy a VND2-million (US$45) administrative fine on a woman who organized graffiti art painting on private house walls without official permission, despite obtaining consent from the homeowners.

The authorities have also mandated that the woman, 37-year-old N.T.H. from Hanoi, restore the painted walls to their original state.

H. told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that she owns a house in a Hoa Hai Ward in Da Nang’s Ngu Hanh Son District, where she, as an artist, painted art on her own house walls. 

Subsequently, she envisioned extending murals to neighboring houses and sought consent from homeowners, who enthusiastically agreed.

N.T.H. stands next to a graffiti painting on the wall of a house in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre

“I reached out to artists and street painters everywhere,” H. said. 

“They flew to Da Nang to create graffiti art, including renowned graffiti artists from abroad,” H. stated. 

She emphasized that this was a non-profit endeavor, made possible solely by sponsorship from paint companies.

According to H., the artists adorned nearly 20 walls across Son Thuy Dong 3, Son Thuy Dong 4, Dang Doan Bang, and Thuy Son 1 Streets in Hoa Hai Ward, from 2023 onwards. 

A graffiti painting on the wall of a house in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre

The paintings depict Asian culture and daily life, featuring scenes like a father embracing his child, a farmer in a rice field, fishermen, as well as elements of hip-hop and other artistic imagery.

The artists carried out the project without obtaining authorization from the competent authority. 

In addition, local authorities said that they had received a complaint from a Hoa Hai Ward resident regarding the graffiti walls in their vicinity.

Graffiti on residential walls in Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang City, central Vietnam. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre

“I accept the penalty as we lacked the necessary permits,” H. confessed. 

“However, I believe the demand for removing all paintings is excessively stringent.” 

She expressed a desire to only erase certain images with dark tones or inappropriate content.

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