Apparently, karaoke is seen more in Vietnam than just a recreational thing.

According to Vietnamese newspaper, Tien Phong, 21 officials from Petrovietnam's financial arm PVFC are expected to write "self criticisms" for not participating in karaoke on Saturday night.

Vietnam's state oil monopoly Petrovietnam's financial arm PVFC ordered 21 officials to make "self-criticism" reports for not singing karaoke at a contract-signing ceremony near Hanoi on Saturday.

Tien Phong (Pioneer) newspaper reported on Wednesday that at least eight department heads were facing suspension.

China is planning to launch luxury trains riding the so-called roof of the world when the long anticipated and highly controversial railway to Tibet opens in July.

Yahoo News says the five-star trains will have showers, on board folk dance shows and karaoke.

The Hymnal Plus, a karaoke-like machine that can play almost 3,000 hymns and songs, is becoming all the rage in English churches.

The British-made machine can play traditional songs familiar to churchgoers in a conventional fashion. However, for the more fun-loving parishioners, it's also capable of a disco version of "Amazing Grace" and a jazzed-up "The Lord's My Shepard."

Vietnam's government against "social evils" has evidently targeted Karaoke bars since they will no longer be allowed to sell or have alcohol on their premises.

Under the new legislation that went into effect Thursday, karaoke bars, along with discotheques, are legally bound to close at midnight.