Last-minute cancelations by foreign stars in Vietnam a costly lesson for local organizers

On June 28, just hours before the GAMA Music Racing Festival was set to begin in Ho Chi Minh City, the organizer announced that Derulo would not be performing out of health reasons.

The news came as a shock to thousands of fans who had eagerly bought tickets to see the American singer perform hits like 'Savage Love' and 'Take You Dancing.'

But the story did not end there. 

The following day, Derulo took to social media to deny the health excuse, claiming instead that he was forced to cancel the gig because the organizer failed to meet technical requirements specified in his contract. 

“I will never jeopardize the integrity of the show, I love my fans way too much to do that," he wrote.

According to Derulo, his entire team had arrived in Vietnam, but the stage setup did not meet professional standards.

In response, the GAMA Music Racing Festival organizer asserted that they had fully paid the performance fee and fulfilled all contractual obligations. 

They called Derulo’s cancelation a 'serious violation' and insisted that all responsibilities on their part had been met.

Derulo is not alone in such controversy. 

In 2017, American singer Ariana Grande disappointed fans in Vietnam when she scrapped her Dangerous Woman concert in Ho Chi Minh City just hours before it was due to start.

The official reason was poor health, accompanied by an apology on Instagram. 

While fans sympathized, the frustration was undeniable.

In 2018, Jiyeon from South Korean girl group T-Ara also pulled out of the V HEARTBEAT music night just two days before the event, citing health reasons.

Although organizers quickly adjusted the program, questions remained about preparedness and contingency planning.

In 2015, rumors circulated that Katy Perry would perform in Vietnam. 

However, the news quietly disappeared without any official explanation, and the organizer’s silence led the public to assume the concert had been discreetly shelved.

What’s the lesson?

According to Q.N., a popular Vietnamese concert promoter, artist health issues, technical problems, and especially contractual disputes are the main reasons for last-minute show cancelations by international stars.

The consequences go beyond disappointed fans—they damage the reputation of event organizers and reflect poorly on the artists involved.

So how can such scenarios be prevented? 

Transparency and thorough contractual agreements are critical.

Technical, logistical, and compensation terms must be clearly outlined, and both parties should conduct technical inspections ahead of the event. 

Had GAMA Music Festival and Jason Derulo’s team done a joint stage check earlier, the issue might have been resolved before showtime, Q.N. noted.

Organizers should also prepare backup plans. 

Having replacement performers or clear refund policies can help minimize losses for the audience.

While some shows have gained praise for refund commitments, emergency solutions are not always enough to satisfy ticket-holders.

Equally important is professionalism in understanding and meeting the needs of international artists.

International stars often have high expectations regarding sound, lighting, and logistics. 

Vietnamese organizers must enhance their capabilities, learning from successful events like Blackpink’s 2023 concert in Hanoi to avoid shortcomings.

The cancelations involving Jason Derulo, Ariana Grande, and Jiyeon are not isolated incidents, as they are warnings for Vietnam’s live event industry.

To avoid disappointing fans and keep organizers from being caught off guard, transparency, professionalism, and contingency planning are essential. 

Only then can Vietnam become a truly attractive destination for international stars, according to Q.N..