In Vietnam's entertainment industry, the fees for S, A, B, and C-list artists vary significantly and change rapidly. For S-list artists, fees range from 1.2 to 1.6 billion VND per show, often with numerous conditions attached. Some have even achieved record-breaking shows with fees of 2 billion VND ($81,600).

 Incredible fees of S-list celebs

Previously, the term "A-list stars" referred to the top celebrities in the entertainment industry. However, in the last five years, the rise of idol culture has introduced the concept of "S-list stars," comprising very few artists who significantly outshine their A-list peers. In Vietnam, the number of artists in this elite group is fewer than ten.

S-list artists have fees that range from 700 to 800 million VND to 2 billion VND.

According to exclusive sources from VietNamNet, one male singer commands a fee between 1.2 and 1.6 billion VND per show, with various conditions attached. He has also set records for a couple of shows priced at 2 billion VND.

This tier also includes male artist A, who typically charges 1 billion VND for three songs, with common conditions such as refusing small brands and prioritizing companies with ambassador contracts.

A female singer is known for pricing based on emotional connections. For major brands, she quotes 1 billion VND but is willing to accept a "friendly" rate of 500-600 million VND for familiar partners.

There is also a rapper in the S-list category who has a baseline fee, but the conditions are quite strict.

A-list celebs divided into two levels

A-list artists are divided into two levels. A+ artists have fees that match the lower tier of S-list artists (500-700 million VND), exemplified by a female singer known as the "Queen," who recently participated in a major music reality show and commands a generous fee of 700 million VND.

This tier also includes most of the hottest Gen Z singers and rappers today, typically emerging from top reality shows in the past two years, such as singer M, rapper T, and rapper H.

A newly emerged male singer with less than three years in the industry quotes fees ranging from 500 to 800 million VND, even surpassing some S-list stars despite being classified as A+.

One female singer, a former champion of a singing contest, insists on a minimum fee of 500 million VND, despite being absent from the market for a time.

A- tier includes most of the previous generation A-list stars, along with hot new faces that have recently gained recognition through reality TV (even without winning top awards), with fees ranging from 250 to 300 million VND to just under 500 million VND.

The B+ tier overlaps with A- and mainly includes the most sought-after artists currently, frequently performing at venues from large events to small clubs, with fees ranging from 200 to 250 million VND.

The B- tier consists of veteran artists from previous generations and contemporary singers who are not particularly prominent, with fees approximately 100-200 million VND.

C-list artists earn between 30 to 100 million VND, while D-list artists earn an average of 5-10 million VND and above. Below this level are young newcomers struggling to establish themselves in the industry.

Performance levels and billion-VND fees

The rankings and figures mentioned earlier serve as references. In actual negotiations regarding fees, the reality can be quite complex and sometimes rather disappointing.

Sources from VietNamNet indicate that the quoted fees not only cover singing costs but also include additional expenses such as advertising the event poster before the performance and posting images on social media afterward.

Most singers quote their fees as packages, with some stars willing to break these down to accommodate smaller brands that can afford them.

For instance, an S-list male singer's average fee of 1.2 billion VND includes various activities beyond singing, such as creating new arrangements and commitments to go viral on social media.

All these terms are laid out in contracts, obligating the singer to fulfill and report fully to provide benefits for the brands.

The aforementioned figures are generally understood as averages for medium-sized shows. For larger shows with brand factors, the fees may increase by 30-50%.

Travel and accommodation costs also contribute significantly. For example, a female A-list singer living abroad, who charges between 250 to 300 million VND, will only accept shows that provide business class airfare and a minimum four-star hotel.

Fees tend to change rapidly, sometimes even within a few months. The final amount depends on various objective and subjective factors.

For example, A- and B+ tier singers may have high fees of 200-250 million VND. However, smaller venues, such as clubs, prefer to share actual revenues, typically at a 50:50 or 60:40 split. If a concert earns 200 million VND, the singer may only receive 100 million VND.

This practice is rooted in the reality that smaller venues rely on consistent performances with fixed audience sizes, leading singers to accept revenue-sharing arrangements to maintain close relationships in exchange for stable income.

It is not uncommon for singers to quote emotional fees. Some may charge 500 million VND but report only 100-150 million VND to familiar clients. Some artists never "discount" by more than 20-50 million VND.

Event organizers prefer older A-list singers due to their reasonable fees and high effectiveness, while many current A-list artists face fewer opportunities due to their attitudes. No organizer wishes to work with someone who quotes high fees but has a problematic attitude. In reality, each event typically has one star name, and aside from that, 4-5 other names can easily be replaced depending on the budget.

Oddly enough, some suddenly famous artists "hike" their prices only to find themselves in a predicament - unable to lower fees but also without shows.

For instance, singer B may demand fees between 600-700 million VND but receives no show offers. In such cases, event organizers might prefer to hire singer T, whose fee is around 400 million VND but delivers equivalent performance.

Ultimately, fees do not determine an artist's status in the entertainment industry. Veteran singers remain A-list stars, even if their fees now equate to B-list levels. Conversely, many artists classified as A- may only hold B-list status in the market.

Fee levels sometimes correlate with performance quality, encapsulated in the adage, "temporary performance, eternal status."

Bich Hop