From now, karaoke singing in Vietnam at any time of day shall face fines

Residents who sing karaoke at any time of day may be fined if the noise exceeds permitted limits, starting from December 15, marking a significant shift in Vietnam’s approach to controlling noise pollution.

Under Decree 282/2025, which took effect on Monday and replaced Decree 144/2021, the long-standing regulation that prohibited noise only after 10:00 pm has been abolished.

Instead of regulating noise by time frame, the new decree focuses on the actual level of noise generated, regardless of whether it occurs during the day or at night.

The change is widely seen as a turning point in addressing chronic noise pollution, though it also raises questions about enforcement.

Previously, Decree 144/2021 stipulated that noise violations were punishable only between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am, with fines ranging from VND500,000 to VND1 million (US$19-$38), reported Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper.

The previous regulation created a loophole, as many people assumed that loud noise before 10:00 pm was permissible.

As a result, there were numerous cases of loud karaoke singing starting as early as 8:00 pm, disrupting neighbors’ rest but remaining technically outside the scope of enforcement.

Decree 282 closes that gap by shifting from time-based restrictions to noise-level standards.

From Monday (December 15), karaoke singing or the use of portable loudspeakers can be penalized at any hour if the sound exceeds allowable limits, not just late at night as before.

The government’s new decree distinguishes between two types of violations, each subject to different enforcement mechanisms.

The first involves acts that disturb public order, such as making excessive noise in hospitals or schools, or disorderly conduct linked to alcohol consumption.

These offenses carry fines ranging from VND500,000 to VND3 million ($19 – $114).

Notably, commune- and ward-level police are authorized to book the violators and impose fines on the spot without the need for noise-measuring equipment.

The second category covers cases where noise exceeds technical standards.

These violations are handled under Decree 45/2022 and require measurements taken with specialized equipment.

Penalties can reach up to VND160 million ($6,070) for noise levels exceeding the standard by 40 dBA or more, along with possible suspension of operations and mandatory payment of measurement costs.

Tuoi Tre News – December 16, 2025