Is a Fine of 10 Million VND Enough to Stop Karaoke Torture?

Karaoke has long been a form of entertainment in Vietnam, but when it turns into an uncontrollable public nuisance, disturbing neighbors and violating public order, it becomes a serious issue. The question is: Is a fine of 10 million VND enough to deter this behavior?

The answer is likely no, especially when the penalty does not account for the scale of the disturbance.

A Weak Deterrent: The Fine Per Person is Too Low

Currently, if a group of more than 10 people gathers to sing karaoke excessively loud, causing disturbance to the community, they face a fine of just 10 million VND. Divided among them, this amounts to less than 1 million VND per person—a negligible amount that lacks any real deterrent effect.

Such a fine structure disproportionately punishes small groups while letting larger gatherings effectively “split the cost” of violating noise regulations. The more people involved, the lower the individual penalty, which ultimately encourages group violations rather than discouraging them.

The Larger the Group, the Greater the Problem

When large groups engage in this disruptive behavior, they not only create more noise pollution but also a mob mentality, which can escalate into confrontations with authorities or neighbors. The sense of impunity in numbers emboldens violators, making them more resistant to law enforcement efforts.

Moreover, such disturbances often lead to conflicts between neighbors, street altercations, and even physical fights. History has shown that the larger the group, the greater the challenge to public order and safety. Thus, any effective legal response must account for the collective nature of the violation and impose proportional penalties.

A More Effective Solution: Progressive Penalties

To create a real deterrent and eliminate karaoke-related disturbances, penalties should increase progressively based on the size of the violating group. Below is a proposed fine structure:

• 1–3 violators: 10 million VND per person + 60 days of community service
• 4–9 violators: 15 million VND per person + 60 days of community service + confiscation of all sound and broadcasting equipment
• 10–19 violators: 20 million VND per person + 60 days of community service + confiscation of all sound and broadcasting equipment
• 20 or more violators: 50 million VND per person + 60 days of community service + confiscation of all sound and broadcasting equipment

Such a progressive fine system ensures that larger groups face exponentially higher penalties, discouraging collective violations and making karaoke disturbances a thing of the past.

Strict Enforcement is Key

However, no matter how high the fines are, they will be meaningless if they are not strictly enforced. Authorities must take a zero-tolerance approach to public disturbances, ensuring that violators are penalized without exception.

This issue is not just about noise—it’s about protecting communities, public order, and the right to peace and quiet. Stronger penalties and strict enforcement will send a clear message that karaoke torture will no longer be tolerated.

Let’s join hands in pushing for stronger regulations to eliminate this growing nuisance. What are your thoughts? Do you support stricter penalties for karaoke disturbances?

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Source: Vietnam Insider