Ngọc Mai and Quốc Nghiệp must collaborate with the Ministry of Culture's Inspectorate when returning to their home country

On May 29, in an exchange with Dantri reporter, a representative from the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MoCST) stated: "The Ministry's inspection team will collaborate with the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City to work with the couple Ngoc Mai and Quoc Nghiep. For now, we will wait for them to return to the country before having a direct meeting."

Regarding the incident, the Ho Chi Minh City police confirmed that they have assigned officials to work with the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music to verify and clarify issues related to singer Ngoc Mai - who has been embroiled in recent controversies related to a performance tour in the United States.

Ngoc Mai and Quoc Nghiep, artists' couple (Photo: Screenshot).

Regarding the overseas trip of Quoc Nghiep and Ngoc Mai, an official from MoCST informed the Dantri reporter that according to the Civil Servants Law of 2010, taking non-paid leaves and going on business trips or traveling abroad for civil servants must be approved by the head of the agency. If Ngoc Mai and Quoc Nghiep are working in a state agency, they would require permission from the leadership to perform abroad.

Prior to this, Nguyen My Hanh, Secretary of the Party Committee, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music, shared that the Conservatory terminated the contract with lecturer Ngoc Mai in 2019. Currently, Ngoc Mai is no longer a lecturer nor participates in guest lecturing at the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music.

The reporter also contacted the Southern Arts Performance Theatre, where Quoc Nghiep is said to work, to further investigate the matter. However, a source from the theater indicated that Quoc Nghiep has been on leave from there for some time and is no longer on the official payroll.

Singer Ngoc Mai facing criticism from many fans (Photo: Character's Facebook).

In recent days, Ngoc Mai and Quoc Nghiep have caused public outrage by appearing in a video alongside the red-striped flag. The incident has angered viewers, with many calling for a boycott and ban on the two artists, as well as expressing a desire for strict actions from the authorities.

Amidst the public outcry, Quoc Nghiep and Ngoc Mai explained that their family was on a summer vacation combined with a charity performance in the United States. While staying at a relative's house, they did not control the appearance of the red-striped flag in the video and "promised to deeply reflect on the experience."

However, their explanation only fueled more outrage among the public. Many believe that the artist couple did not offer a sincere apology and failed to convince the majority of viewers.