Milking it: Singer Thu Minh was fined VND3.5 million for wearing clothes that showed most of her breasts and back during the Ngan Sao Hoi Tu (Meeting of the Thousand Stars) show in HCM City on April 20. — VNS File Photo

HCM CITY — Authorities in HCM City have been asked by the public and media to increase fines on performers and models who wear body-revealing attire during music and fashion shows.

"The light penalties that exist now cannot effectively deter artists from showing off their breasts and bellies. This gives them even more popularity," said Nguyen Thi Hoa, a third-year student of HCM City's Social Science and Humanities.

Hoa and some of her friends believe that the recent fine handed down to singer Thu Minh by the city's Culture, Sports and Tourism Department was too low.

Minh was fined VND3.5 million (US$170) for wearing clothes that showed most of her breasts and back during the Ngan Sao Hoi Tu (Meeting of the Thousand Stars) show in HCM City on April 20.

Minh was of several performers who took part in the Night of Beauties show in Quang Binh Province earlier this year, an event that provoked a slew of public complaints about the skimpy clothing worn by the singers.

She continued drawing public criticism when she appeared in risque costumes at music shows in Ha Noi and HCM City.

"It's necessary to impose stricter rules and higher penalties on such cases," the Lao Dong (Labour) newsaper wrote.

"Our decision to fine Minh and the amount of the penalty, between VND2 million (US$100) and VND5 million, is based on regulations that deal with violations of cultural activities," said Vo Trong Nam, deputy director of HCM City's culture department.

"We can't increase the penalty because the Government has not approved any new regulations," Nam said. "We are trying to create more specific regulations on performing activities."

Nam said he was worried that many more singers had appeared on stage in very short, transparent dresses.

"Artists must be aware of their responsibility to the public, while the public and the media should condemn and boycott artists who wear scanty clothes," he said.

Model Thai Ha was fined VND5 million for exposing her breast in a skimpy outfit in an advertising event last February.

Even so, she continued wearing scanty clothes in other public events in March.

"If she continues to violate these regulations, we will propose to the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism that she be suspended or banned from modelling in HCM City," Nam said.

Every year, hundreds of music concerts, fashion shows and advertising events are organised in HCM City with many young artists, many of whom wear skimpy outfits.

"They become well-known after their photos appear in tabloids," the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper said in an editorial. — VNS