The Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided on June 3 to fine composer Ngoc Dai VND30 million (US$1,442) for releasing without a permit his CD titled “Thang Mo 1- Cai nuong 8x”, which contains slanderous details and obscene lyrics.

According to Tran Quoc Chiem, the department’s deputy head, Dai repeatedly refused to meet with the cultural inspectorate even though his department asked him to three times.

The composer only expressed a cooperative attitude and admitted his offence when the inspectorate and local police arrived at his home.

The recall of the CD, which contains parts that blacken the reputation of the government and use offensive, culturally inappropriate words, is also underway, Chiem added.

“This is absolutely unacceptable and outrageous especially for songs about the homeland and parents,” he noted.

Chiem also stressed that the strict penalty is intended to prevent similar offences, particularly those made by reactionary, anti-government forces.

Composer Ngoc Dai told Tuoi Tre the same day that he has yet to receive the fine decision.

“Even if I’m fined VND1 billion (US$48,077), I don’t care. I did just what my heart desires,” Dai said.

Earlier, Dai said that he didn’t actually sell the CD, as his friends and fans took most of the 1,000 CDs produced and gave him some money in return.

The CD, which includes nine songs composed and mixed by Dai and features him playing the piano and singing, though they sound more like poem recitations than musical works, has caused quite a stir among the public since last May, following an article listing the offensive words it uses, including the title “Thang Mo 1- Cai nuong 8x” with ‘nuong’ being an outdated Vietnamese word for female reproductive organ, ‘buttocks’ and the like.

There are also mixed opinions on the CD’s content, however.  While many blast it as obscene, others, particularly his colleagues, have expressed respect for Dai’s daring, innovative works in the CD.

According to the cultural ministry’s inspectorate, penalizing pirated, unpermitted audio works happens quite often, with the hot spots being Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The total fine for these offences is estimated at VND25 billion (US$1.2 mil) each year.