The Five Tiger Generals (from left): Khanh Phuong, Duong Ngoc Thai, Luu Hung, Ung Hoang Phuc, and Lam Chan Huy – Photo: Provided by the subjects
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On the afternoon of September 25th, during a press conference on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic situation, Ms. Pham Dac My Tran, Acting Head of the Department of Electronic Information (HCMC Department of Culture and Sports), affirmed that the regulatory body is ready to collaborate with relevant units to address violations in the online space. This includes the MV “Anh em truoc sau nhu mot” and other inappropriate clips currently circulating. She emphasized that existing laws, such as the 2012 Advertising Law (amended in 2025) and related decrees, clearly prohibit advertising for gambling services and impose fines of up to hundreds of millions of dong, along with mandatory removal of violating content.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hoi, Deputy Director of the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports, stated that the regulatory body only grants permits for legal artistic programs and products. If, after receiving a permit, artists or producers engage in illegal activities, they will be penalized according to regulations. “Violations in the online space may seem virtual, but their consequences are very real and severe,” the department representative noted.
HCMC Police Urgently Investigating
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Khanh Hong, from the PA05 Division (HCMC Police), reported that upon receiving the information, authorities promptly applied professional measures to gather evidence and issued summons for relevant individuals to appear on September 22nd and 23rd. The police have consolidated evidence of violations, and the investigation is being expedited. Official results will be publicly announced soon.
 Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Thi Khanh Hong – Deputy Head of PA05 Division, HCMC Police
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According to Lieutenant Colonel Hong, artists who knowingly participate in events featuring logos of gambling websites or apps, take photos for media publications, or post such content on social media accounts may face administrative penalties under Clauses 2 and 3, Article 33 of Decree 38/2021/ND-CP on administrative penalties in culture and advertising, and Point c, Clause 1, Article 101 of Decree 15/2020/ND-CP on administrative penalties in postal, telecommunications, radio frequency, information technology, and electronic transactions.
However, if individuals or organizations are found to have colluded, conspired, or shared direct profits with gambling operators, they may face criminal charges for “Organizing Gambling” under Article 322 of the Penal Code. This highlights the severity of disguised advertising related to online gambling.
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On September 18th, singers Ung Hoang Phuc, Khanh Phuong, Lam Chan Huy, Duong Ngoc Thai, and Luu Hung formed the group Five Tiger Generals and released their debut MV. Three days later, images surfaced on social media showing a gambling website’s name appearing multiple times in the MV. Facing public pressure, the video was removed from YouTube and re-uploaded with edits. Ung Hoang Phuc denied any advertising intent and expressed willingness to cooperate with investigators to clarify the matter. |
– 4:39 PM, September 25, 2025
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