The ministry’s Department of Performing Art recently held a meeting to gather opinions about the draft regulation on the issue.

“Recently several singers and models conducted performances without permission, and many performed 'sexy' dances at bars, wearing skimpy costumes,” Nguyen Dang Chuong, Director of the department said.

Ho Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said relevant authorities should continue inspections after granting licenses. Any artists who are found violating the regulation would have their work permit revoked. Those whose licences have been revoked three times or were found guilty in criminal cases would be banned from performing.

The draft regulation stipulates five groups of artists subject to the work permit including, honoured artists, artists working at art establishments, artists acquiring art certificates at art training institutions, those who win prizes at domestic and foreign art and miss contests, those who are studying at training institutions and any ones who are good at or interested in art and fashion performing.

The regulation stirred up public concerns as several people who win prizes at television contests for children singing like Quang Anh and Phuong My Chi are not subject to the work permit. Even though these children are still studying at school and under working ages, they have continued to perform at several events with payments reaching hundreds of millions dong.

Chuong said that these talented singers would not be granted work permit but are allowed to conduct performances if their parents guarantee for them.

Foreign professional artists coming to Vietnam for performances likes model Andrea and singer Kyo York would also not subject to the regulation. They would have to get approval for their performances under the regulations in Decree 79, he noted.

Those who lack of professionalism, but want to perform at bars, such as Angelia Phuong Trinh and Le Thi Huyen Anh or “Ba Tung” must also seek work permit.

“Scandalous cases such as that of “Ba Tung” do not meet requirements for a work permit. They need more time to correct their behaviour, improve their professionalism and nurture their ambition for the performing arts,” he emphasised.

Those who have art talent and want to conduct their first performances are not required to seek a work permit but a license would be needed if they want to continue to perform.

Ho Anh Tuan said that they would continue to gather opinions. They plan to grant work permits to singers and artists beginning from next April and will apply this regulation to all artists by 2016.