‘Bac Bling’ music-video hit: singer Hoa Minzy’s revenue revealed

The "Bac Bling" music video by Hoa Minzy has surpassed the one-billion-dong revenue threshold as it has become a ‘phenomenon’. However, it’s highly unlikely that YouTube revenue alone will help Hoa Minzy break even.


Singer Hoa Minzy in Bac Bling

The "Bac Bling" MV hit 100 million views after just 28 days, making it the most captivating music product in the Vietnamese market over the past five years.

YouTube’s revenue calculation primarily depends on the number of ad views and clicks displayed on the original video. The higher a video’s viewership, the more ad impressions it generates.

A digital music marketing expert explained that revenue varies per video on YouTube depending on ad impressions, views, or clicks. For a music MV, typically under five minutes, one million views bring in VND8-10 million in revenue. This is the average level for most revenue-generating artist videos.

So, with 100 million views for "Bac Bling," Hoa Minzy could earn around one billion dong. This is a very high YouTube revenue figure, considering the MV hit 100 million views in just a month. With the ongoing "Bac Bling" buzz, views will keep climbing, continuing to generate revenue for Hoa Minzy.

For "Bac Bling," Hoa Minzy didn’t partner with any brand. This allowed her full creative control over the MV as she wished. In return, she had to shoulder all production costs herself.

Experts estimate "Bac Bling" costs no less than VND3 billion. The priciest parts were equipment and the large workforce needed for outdoor shooting sets. Plus, Hoa Minzy paid for appearances by Xuan Hinh, Tuan Cry, and other actors.

To obtain revenue equal to the production cost, "Bac Bling" needs 3-4 times its current views. Hoa Minzy also has to share 10-30 percent of the revenue with the team in charge of managing, exploiting, and optimizing her YouTube channel.

"For an artist of Hoa Minzy’s caliber, most don’t think about breaking even when making a YouTube MV. Even with partial brand sponsorship, recouping costs is tough. After launching an MV, artists have to spend more money on promotion, thus ballooning the total investment," the expert said.

"Artists pour billions into MVs to boost their image and music. When a product hits massive success like 'Bac Bling,' YouTube or digital music revenue becomes peanuts. It opens up countless money-making opportunities, from gigs to ad contracts and brand ambassadorships," the expert added.

Hoa Minzy’s new position

Before "Bac Bling," Hoa Minzy had already cemented her firm position in the market with the success of "Thi Mau" and later "Bat Tinh Yeu Len" (Turn on the love). Over the past three years, the Bac Ninh native has built a positive image, shaping her path as a singer blending Vietnam’s traditional culture into music.

According to Tien Phong’s findings, before “Bac Bling," Hoa Minzy’s cachet for a brand event ranged from VND300 to VND400 million per show—a decent rate in Vietnam’s music scene over the last three years. With the "Bac Bling" fever, her status has soared to new heights, and her fee is sure to see a dramatic jump.

In Vietnam’s music market, singers’ earnings mostly come from three sources: digital music revenue, live performances, and collaborations with brands. For most artists, landing gigs is the top priority—a quick, efficient income stream that also boosts their career.

After "Bac Bling" successes, Hoa Minzy hasn’t appeared much on stage. Recently, the 1995-born singer performed at an event for a beauty clinic brand. In the coming time, she’ll undoubtedly be a name that brands eagerly chase.

With her current fee range, Hoa Minzy only needs a few brand gigs to obtain revenue equal to one-year YouTube revenue and digital music.

For digital platforms alone, revenue calculation is complex and varies by platform. On Spotify, "Bac Bling" is nearing 3 million streams. Compared to YouTube, Spotify pays better, averaging VND25-30 million per million streams.

The "Bac Bling" craze has lit up an entire team in Vietnam’s music scene. Hoa Minzy is now a top-tier star. Xuan Hinh has made a comeback after stepping away from the spotlight. Tuan Cry, once a lesser-known singer-songwriter, is now invited to numerous shows.

In the past month, Tuan Cry has been the busiest, performing "Bac Bling" live more than anyone in the trio. Recently, Hoa Minzy and Tuan Cry shared a stage to perform. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the first-ever "trio performance" of Hoa Minzy, Xuan Hinh, and Tuan Cry.
VietBF@ Sưu tập