After top diva My Tam was recently accused of excessive appearance fees, several promoters have confirmed that her rates are quite normal, with many artists paid up to VND150 million (USD7,156) per show.

Dam Vinh Hung and My Tam have the highest show fees

Hoa Duong, an organiser of the Xuan Phat Tai, or Prosperous Spring Programme, said, “My Tam was often paid VND120 million (USD5,275) per show. Her fees were even higher for some shows. Despite her high appearance fees, we’ve continued to invite her as it helps push our business.”

According to Duong, appearance fees for famous artists such as Dam Vinh Hung and My Tam average at from VND100-200 million (USD4,770-USD5,541) per show. The rates are often applied for events to promote brand names.

Singers like Quang Dung, Ho Quynh Huong, Cam Ly and Ho Ngoc Ha have lower fees. Young singers who developed from reality television programmes receive payments from VND10-40 million (USD477-USD1,908) per show.

Young talents such as Uyen Linh and Van Mai Huong are paid between VND30 million and VND60 million (USD1,431-USD2,862) per show.

Legendary Overseas Vietnamese singers such as Che Linh and Quang Le are paid VND300 million (USD14,312) per show.

Many people are surprisingly shocked at the high fees paid to singers

An official from a prestigious music promoter said singers like Hong Nhung, My Linh, Tran Thu Ha and Thanh Lam received fees from VND80-120 million (USD3,816-USD5,725) per show. Tung Duong and Thu Minh are paid from VND60-100 million (USD2,862-USD4,770) per show.

Singer Phan Anh, who is the owner of the Opera Tea Room, said the USD 6,000 show fee was just a basic rate for a famous singer like My Tam.

According to Phan Anh, Dam Vinh Hung was said to be paid VND200 million (USD9,541) to perform at a wedding of a family in Ha Tinh Province.

People’s Artist Tran Binh, Director of the Central Light Music Theatre told the press that fees of ‘red’ singers like Anh Tho and Trong Tan who make a living from performing Communist and patriotic music could ironically earn sometimes as much as some pop singers.