CULTURE AND SPORT

Huge shows by overseas Vietnamese singers don't always deliver

October 02, 2011 - 03:22 PM

Overseas Vietnamese singers have flocked to Vietnam for live performances, but crowds are often left unsatisfied.

Quang Le, Nguyen Hung and Che Linh to hold live shows in October

Rush to Vietnam

This month alone, there will be at least four big live performances, by singers Nguyen Hung, Quang Le, Che Linh and others.

The trend of overseas Vietnamese artists coming to perform in the country started about ten years ago. Singers such as Duc Huy, Elvis Phuong and Tuan Ngoc came back Vietnam for large-scaled shows, including Charming Vietnam. Singers Tuan Ngoc and Khanh Ha were some of the first to gain big profits.

Since 2009, Tuan Vu, Giao Linh, Thanh Tuyen, Huong Lan, Khanh Ha, Quang Le, Linda Trang Dai, Tommy Ngo, Duong Trieu Vu and Thu Phuong have all played in Vietnam.

This is not only true of music. The country has also become attractive to overseas comedians and MC\'s.

Besides organising their individual shows, overseas Vietnamese singers have also launched programmes of different scale across nationwide, luring great attention from spectators.

Vietnamese artists find it difficult to compete with the large scale of these events, as they are unable to spend the billions of dong.

Big shows equal big audiences

After a show in March, Quang Le will hold another in mid-October. He\'s announced that it will cost VND6 billion (USD288,461).

Another event, organised by Nguyen Hung, is also scheduled for this month, this one costing VND10 billion (USD480,769). The programme includes American choreographer, Shanda Sawyer and overseas Vietnamese dancers.

Many suspect that spending so much on these events is a way to attract large audiences and wow them with spectacular sets and effects, diverting their attention from performers\' wanting talent.

Recently number of live shows by overseas Vietnamese singers have left show-goers disappointed. One of these, by Quang Le, was held in March. The highest ticket price for the event was VND2.5 million (USD120.2), but many audience members were unhappy.

Three years ago, a music night attended by many famous overseas Vietnamese singers such as Giao Linh, Phi Nhung and Duc Huy also criticised for its long performances and lack of organisation.