Since Da Nang government issued specific regulations on imposing administrative violations on noise pollution cases including loud music operations and excessive karaoke sessions in residential and urban areas, some functional agencies have set up ‘quick response teams’ to clamp down on this matter.

Officers and men from the Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Division under the municipal Police Department handling a noise polution caused by a business on Vo Nguyen Giap Street, My An Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District.

In particular, the noise pollution prevention is viewed as an assessment criterion for the annual recognition of cultural residential areas.

Noise pollution has emerged as an issue of deep concern in Da Nang for the past few years, posing serious health risks for local residents. It was a mixture of ear-splitting sounds from vendors’ speakers, mechanical workshops, electronics stores, wood processing factories, shipyards, bars, pups, restaurants and cafes. 

Even the noise from the ventilation system, if not properly installed, can generate scary sounds.

For example, a female resident from Phu Xuan 3 Street, Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District has found a good night's sleep and some silent relief after months of ‘being tortured’ by the murky sound coming from the large ventilation system in a nearby company.

At that time, the sound caused her to feel suffocated and uncomfortable for many days, and she had to seek timely help from functional local bodies.

Finally, the business was fined VND 25 million for causing the noise pollution.

In reality, when the love and passion for music goes wrong, karaoke at max volume can become an instrument of torture.

“My health has deteriorated due to regular lack of sleep, while my child cannot focus on his homework because of the noisy surroundings,” another resident previously complained about the noise reaching torturous levels from an excessive karaoke session.

According to scientific experts, noise pollution can have long-term impacts, such as loss of hearing. It can also lead to sleeping disorders and high blood pressure, while children can suffer cognitive impairment.

Under the regulations which will take effect from June 1, depending on the noise level, violators will be fined from VND100000 ($4.35) to VND1 million ($43.5).

In particular, those who cause loud karaoke noise pollution, affecting the life of people surrounding will be fined up to VND1 million ($43.5).

In detail, a fine of VND100,000 ($4.35) – VND300,000 ($12.95) will be handed down on acts of causing disorder in theaters, cinemas, cultural houses, clubs, arts performance shows, places where physical training and sports activities, and ceremonies are held, exhibitions, fairs, offices, organisations, residential areas, schools, hospitals, railway stations, wharves, bus stations, on the street, border gate areas, ports or other public places.

The same amount of fine will be imposed on those who make noises in residential settings or public places from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.

VND500,000 ($21.58) - 1,000,000VND ($43.5) in fine will go to acts of organising gatherings in public places and causing public disorder.

Besides, functional bodies will strengthen the surprise inspection, and collect citizens' feedback and complaints on noise pollution in their neighborhoods in all-out efforts to stamp out deeply concerning phenomenon. 

Chairpersons of the district and commune-level governments and relevant agencies must take accountability for such noise pollution cases occurring in their locales.

Colonel Tran Thanh Nhon, Head of the Environmental Crime Prevention and Control Division under the municipal Police Department, said his unit is focusing on dealing with frequent noisy spots such as bars, pubs, live music cafes and venues trading electronic goods.

Mr Nguyen Van Manh living on Khuc Hao route, Nai Hien Dong Ward happily said, in recent days, deafening karaoke music sounds in his locale have decreased significantly.

Reporting by TIEU YEN  - Translating by A.T