Last year, nearly 20 musicians received more than VND100 million ($5,900) each in royalties from the Vietnam Centre for Protection of Music Copyright. VND197 million ($11,600) was the most paid to any one musician.

Last year, the centre collected over VND1.5 billion from music shows on TV.

The centre’s Director, musician Pho Duc Phuong, didn’t reveal the name of the musician; he only said that he was very young.

Last year the Vietnam Centre for Protection of Music Copyright, the representative of the interests of Vietnamese musicians, collected more than VND15 billion in royalties, a rise of 62% year on year. More than VND9 billion ($529,000) was paid to musicians.

According to the centre’s director, Pho Duc Phuong, this was a good result after eight years. Established in 2002, the centre collected only VND80 million ($5,500) the first year.

The centre last year also began claiming music royalties from box offices, discotheques, film projects, online TV services, which they couldn’t in previous years.

“Though the sum of royalties collected is still low compared to international standard, it was still a big success. This is the first time international authors have received royalties for music works in Vietnam,” said Ang Kwee Tiang, the Asia-Pacific Director of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC).

(Source: VNE)