Vietnam to further delay work permits for artists

Nguyen Dang Chuong, the department’s deputy director said, “We plan to issue a circular in early April to guide the implementation of work permits for artists and the regulation is expected to take effect on July 1.”

According to Chuong, they intend to grant work permits to all approved artists by the end of 2016.

The department originally proposed the regulation last year and intended it be applied from early this year. There were delays, however, and it currently remains a guiding circular.

Chuong explained that the department has updated information about the regulation on its website to collect public opinion before official application of the regulation. It would take a few months after issuing the circular for application in order to give time to those agencies involved to adapt.

The department has recently collected to collect ideas from the public in HCM City which, a centre for Vietnamese showbiz.

Before the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism approved the plan to apply the new regulation early this year, the HCM City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism showed their opposition. Now, while the ministry officially stands behind it, it is still a controversial issue.

Regulation on work permits for artists still controversial 

People’s Artist Mai Tu, Deputy Director of the Thanh Hoa provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said these work permits are necessary in big cities where many artists and performers live.

“I think that more attention should be paid to considering whether this regulation should be widely applied across the country or only to individuals and organisations that put on events,” he commented.

Meanwhile, an anonymous official from New Talent, an event organiser, said the regulation is necessary to better manage the affairs of  models and singers who are currently operating as free agents.

The criteria of those who would be subject to the regulation is still unclear, which has caused difficulties for authorities in terms of implementation.

Tran Quoc Chiem, Deputy Director of the Hanoi municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that it would be difficult to appraise a large number of dossiers and make proposals for work permits within the required time of five days.

“In my opinion, certain amendments should be made to Circular 3 and Decree 79 on art and fashion performing, as well as on the part of organisers of modeling and beauty contests, so a legal framework can be created to cover this industry,” Chiem added.