Authorities in Thai Binh Province, northern Vietnam have decided to impose an administrative fine of VND150,000 (US$6) on each of the 14 women who obstructed traffic while performing yoga poses in the middle of a road for photo shoots a few days ago.

The People’s Committee of Kien Xuong Town under the namesake district made the decision followed a proposal by police officers in the town, said an official on Sunday evening.

A police officer in Kien Xuong District told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Sunday that these women had been summoned for questioning due to their acts of obstructing a roadbed.

The officer explained that they occupied part of an intersection between Tran Hung Dao Street and Nguyen Cong Thu Street in Kien Xuong District.

The investigation results showed that at 4:30 pm on Friday last week, a group of 17 people who were identified as residents of Kien Xuong Town approached the intersection and unrolled their yoga mats on the roadbed to pose for photos with flowering giant crape-myrtle trees.

After being notified of the disturbance, police in the town summoned them for questioning and booked them for their actions.

Police officers then reported the situation to the town’s administration.

Based on the severity of their offenses, police proposed imposing an administrative fine on 14 of the 17 women for illegally gathering, as well as lying and sitting in the middle of the road, thereby obstructing traffic.

Accordingly, they were subject to a fine of VND150,000, while the remaining three people were reminded of the consequences of their actions as they are underage.

Many images had gone viral on social media in Vietnam, depicting a group of women performing various yoga poses on a road in Thai Binh Province for photo shoots with the flowers, which sparked a public uproar.

Many social media users expressed their criticism and proposed that local authorities identify them to impose harsh sanctions for their actions.

As per Article 11 of Government Decree 100/2019, a person transported on a bicycle or a moped with an umbrella shall be subject to a fine of VND80,000-100,000 ($3 - 3.9).

A fine of VND100,000 - 200,000 ($3.9 - 7.8) shall be levied on an individual for gathering illicitly, and lying and sitting on a road, leading to traffic obstruction.

The same fine faces people who play soccer, badminton or other sports on a road, or rollerblade on a busy road.

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