Live music is now common at most parties in private houses in Vietnam, especially in the countryside, where gardens are large enough to host such events.

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The music is also a favorite hobby of city dwellers.

With the increasing amount of sound equipment available at electronics markets at cheaper and cheaper prices, the cost to hire such equipment is now within the reach of the average person.

For only VND1-2 million (US$48-96), a host can have enough sound equipment such as speakers, a mixer, amplifier, and microphones for visitors attending his party to sing and dance.

Party hosts can also spend more inviting amateur singers and musicians. Otherwise, just a thumb drive containing hundreds of songs plugged into a mixer is enough.

They simply need to make a phone call to have the for-hire equipment within 30 minutes to organize their party.

Previously, wedding parties were often the main chance for visitors to satisfy their singing desire.

Now, they do not need to wait very long. After a few rounds of beer at a small party on the weekend, they can have live ‘mobile music’ following a call to request the equipment.

At restaurants, diners can also sing along with the live music.

A boom in ‘mobile music’

A private house on Nguyen Thuong Hien Street in District 3 in Ho Chi Minh City became a ‘theater’ last weekend at 9:30 pm.

“Today is my father’s birthday,” said Duyen, the owner of the house. “I have hired musical equipment to sing for fun.”

After that, she danced around and pulled the hands of an older man to introduce him to the guests, “This is my father. We celebrate his 51st birthday today.”

Huong, the father, added, “Using mobile music services is for singing. A lot of fun.”

Duyen further explained, “We always ask for live music services to sing and dance when we throw birthday parties or bashes to commemorate the death anniversary of our relatives.”

The owner of a ‘band’, which is actually speakers and a mixer combined, said, “I bought this gear three months ago both for business and my hobby.

“With it, I can sing anytime I like. And I also leave it for hire to make money.”

On average, it costs around VND100,000 ($4.8) an hour to hire the equipment.

Le Minh Luan, the owner of a band in District 12, said he has singers available at the request of clients for VND300,000-600,000 ($14-29).

A man in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang said, “Locals here love singing, so I have to invite a band to our drinking party.

“Without music, wine becomes tasteless.”

Farmers in the countryside have another reason to have such bands play at their parties.

“If you organize a party to commemorate the death anniversary of your relative without hiring a band, I fear that few visitors will come,” said a farmer in Tien Giang.

This is why live mobile music is now not only present at wedding parties, but also at most events that gather a crowd.

A man from an average family admitted, “I went to different parties hosted by families similar to mine. They feast on food and wine and music. Now it’s my turn to invite them. I may disappoint them if I don’t bring in a band.”

Neighbors may think that his family is tight-fisted, he added.

It seems that live music has become ‘a must’ at parties in private houses in the countryside.

Although VND1-2 million is not a big sum for many, it is significant to many others in the countryside, where the average income relies on rice and the per capita income in 2013 was VND2.5-2.7 million ($120-130) per month.

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