On the afternoon of March 19, at a regular press conference in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports said that it had received a document requesting to organize a performance from Kim Loan Entertainment Co., Ltd. related to the program "Southern Love 4". Based on the dossier provided by the unit, by March 5, 2026, the Department issued document No. 2561/SVHTT-NT approving the organization of the program.
Before the event took place, the Department's Art Council also conducted content appraisal according to regulations. This is a mandatory procedure to ensure that the performances are in accordance with artistic orientation, fine customs and traditions and current legal regulations.
However, through state management after the program, functional agencies determined that the organizing unit showed signs of violations. Specifically, the excerpt from Cai Luong "Me Linh Biet Khuc" performed by Bum Bum was not in the list of registered performances and approved by the Department before.
On March 16, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports organized a working session with relevant parties, including representatives of Kim Loan Entertainment Co., Ltd. At the working session, the company admitted to performing a performance outside the licensed list, and at the same time acknowledged that this was a mistake in the organization process.
Currently, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports is completing the dossier, establishing the violation to carry out the next handling steps in accordance with legal regulations.
Besides the issue of administrative violations, the story also raises many debates about recreating classic cai luong excerpts on the current stage. Regarding this issue, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports said that it always encourages the spirit of inheriting and promoting traditional artistic values, especially cai luong - a typical art form of the South.
However, with classical works and roles considered standards of Cai Luong stage, management agencies emphasize high professional requirements for performers. Young artists need to have a serious training process, carefully study scripts, improve performance skills as well as learn from senior artists before putting works on stage.
According to the Department, the performance of classical excerpts is not only a matter of personal creativity but also related to the responsibility to preserve traditional artistic values. Caution in selection and performance is a way to show respect for the audience and cultural heritage.
In the coming time, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports said that it will strengthen the professional role of the Arts Council in appraisal and orientation work. At the same time, management measures will also be tightened to ensure that performance programs take place in accordance with the registered content, meeting the requirements for artistic quality and compliance with legal regulations.
Previously, at "Tu Tinh Phuong Nam 4", Hong Loan and Bum Bum (Vu Linh's niece) participated in the performance. However, their performance received much controversy. Hong Loan was criticized for lip-syncing, while Bum Bum played the role of Trung Trac inexperienced, causing bad public opinion.
