The issue of actors and film crew members not receiving their pay is far from new, but its recurrence has left many disheartened, calling it a "stain" on the industry that is hard to erase.

In Vietnam’s film industry, it’s not uncommon for actors to be left unpaid or underpaid by producers. Recently, numerous actors and crew members from a television drama publicly accused the production company of dodging payments for months after filming had wrapped.

The situation raises serious concerns about the professionalism and ethics of certain filmmakers, especially as Vietnam’s film industry is still in the early stages of development.

Actors left with no choice but to suffer in silence

In November of last year, veteran actress Kieu Trinh spoke out about a television director failing to pay her as agreed.

Kieu Trinh was contracted to film six episodes over four days for a fee of 8 million VND (approximately USD 337). However, the producer reduced the shoot to three days and paid her just 6 million VND (USD 253).

Angered by the meager payment and breach of contract, the actress named and shamed the production team in a livestream.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Kieu Trinh revealed that delayed or unpaid wages have long plagued the artistic community.

"I spoke out because I didn’t want a few bad apples to tarnish the efforts of those who are committed to the craft. After I shared my story, many actors messaged me saying they had suffered similar situations. One colleague is still owed hundreds of millions of dong - it’s heartbreaking," she said.

Actress Than Thuy Ha also went public about being unpaid by a production company, stating that she has lost count of how many times she’s had to chase her earnings.

To Ha, acting is a livelihood like any other. Actors often cover their own costs upfront - clothing, makeup, travel, food. If payments are delayed or denied, survival becomes a struggle.

"We work hard on set to support our families, and yet we’re being exploited. It’s unacceptable," she said.

Actor T.N., who once starred in a prime-time drama on VTV, quit acting for four years out of sheer disillusionment - primarily due to unpaid wages.

After finishing a lead role in a television series, he waited for months without receiving his fee. The sum, around 120 million VND (USD 5,050), represented months of labor that risked being completely lost.

He eventually argued fiercely with the producers, which sparked rumors that he was "difficult" and obsessed with money. Over time, acting roles became scarce.

Actress Kim Dao has shared her own frustration. Despite working in Ho Chi Minh City for eight years, she still finds herself sending messages to production partners demanding her pay.

A single mother living with her young son and elderly mother in rented housing, Kim Dao often found herself unable to cover basic expenses due to delayed payments.

She posted a series of messages from fellow young actors, asking: “Have you been paid yet, Dao?”, “They read my message but didn’t reply,” “When do we usually get paid?”, “Did you get your payment yet? I haven’t.”

These are just a few examples of the many bitter experiences actors and crew endure in the industry. Frustration, disappointment, and resignation are the shared emotions of those in the filmmaking world.

In some cases, companies issue promises to pay, but many simply go silent and disappear.

Over time, this has become a toxic norm. When faced with similar situations, many actors are left with nothing but silent despair.

Unpaid wages, missing fees: Business as usual in showbiz

There are countless reasons why actors go unpaid. One major factor is the lack of formal contracts - many agreements are made verbally, over the phone, or via text, without any legally binding paperwork.

Others trust in the producer’s reputation, thinking, “It’s not a huge sum; they won’t cheat me.”

Despite repeated incidents, most actors remain silent. Some eventually vent their anger online with vague posts targeting unnamed producers or directors. Others confide only in close friends or colleagues - then carry on as usual.

During a seminar on amending Vietnam’s Cinematography Law, Duong Thi Cam Thuy, President of the Ho Chi Minh City Cinema Association, candidly addressed the reality of income instability among film professionals.

She proposed that a clause - or at least a sub-law - be added to protect creators and performers in the film industry.

Thuy noted that incidents of producers and investors owing money to actors, directors, and crew members continue to surface regularly, causing uproar within the entertainment industry and among the public.

These occurrences have become “as common as rice,” she said, varying only in scale. Some lose small amounts, others much larger sums - but all are classified as “bad debts.”

Most victims are left to fight alone. A few manage to recover their pay - others lose months of work for nothing. Thuy admitted she feels deep sorrow but is often unsure how to help.

“Whenever something like this happens, the media calls to ask what the association is doing to protect directors and actors. I feel anxious for them. Whether or not they’re official members of the Cinema Association, they’ve all worked so hard and deserve to be paid,” she said.

Tuan Chieu