Many star singers are in “hibernation” because they don’t have shows. This situation is expected to continue.

Singer Dam Vinh Hung at his restaurant in HCM City.

Economic slowdown has been hitting Vietnamese singers since 2008. The situation is worse this year with many stars “unemployed”.

7/10 shows cancelled

Most members of showbiz have related that in the past, singers had only one free month after the lunar New Year, but this year, that period of relaxation is continuing into April. This situation will prolong and there are no signs of it coming to an end.

Bao Lan, a member of Nam Dong Ke band, complained: “There is a clear fall in the number of TV shows or advertising shows. Up to seven of ten advertising shows have been cancelled because of lack of funding.”

HCM City, Vietnam’s most bustling music market, is very quiet at this moment. A series of night clubs and music theatres have closed. Lan Anh Theatre, one of the largest stages for music in the city, has announced the end of its weekend shows.

Many periodical music performances on TV have been cancelled because the sponsors withdrew. Some TV shows became stage shows but they still failed because expenditures were high while ticket revenues low.

A sub-editor of the Vietnam Television (VTV) said that some famous singers have called VTV to ask whether VTV was organising any show and said they were willing to cooperate with VTV. The source said that such a thing had never happened before.

Show organisers losing money

The exchange of singers between Vietnam and overseas markets is also witnessing difficulties. The clearest example is the case of overseas Vietnamese singer Tuan Ngoc.

Several years ago, whenever Tuan Ngoc returned home, he was immediately invited by many night clubs, hotels and event organisers. This year, Tuan Ngoc has had only one performance at the Van Nghe night club.

According to a show organiser, the pay for Tuan Ngoc is too high while the number of audience members at night clubs is decreasing, so most night clubs cannot afford to invite this singer.

Normally, the hibernation time at home is a time for Vietnamese singers to go abroad to serve overseas Vietnamese. But this year, they can’t fly abroad because of the global economic crisis.

Instead of singing, some singers are turning to business. Dam Vinh Hung has invested in a chain of hu tieu (noodles with seasoned and sauté beef) restaurants in HCM City. Quang Dung opened Q.D bar while Nguyen Vu has a café. My Tam is about to introduce Myta milk bath product and Ho Quynh Huong is going to have a fashion brand Diamond Noir.

VietNamNet/NLD