New policies create motivation for artists
After many years of attachment to the Youth Theater, actress Minh Cuc said that what makes her happiest when Decree 261/2026/ND-CP takes effect is that the professional allowance (artists often call it "performance allowance") is increased to 30% in 2026 and will continue to increase to 40% from July 1, 2027.
With the adjustment of training and performance allowance, the new policy helps artists have a more stable income, while creating motivation for each person to strive to improve their profession and improve their professional quality" - actress Minh Cuc shared.
Many artists are excited about the new policy, considering it a recognition of the State, contributing to improving income and creating motivation to stick with the stage.
However, theater leaders believe that there are still many obstacles that need to be removed to make policies effective.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Meritorious Artist Si Tien - Director of the Youth Theater - said that one of the things he is concerned about is that the new policy has not covered the young actors who are working in the profession.
This is a policy applied to civil servants, that is, those on the payroll. However, for young actors, most of them are not currently on the payroll, so many people are not eligible for this policy" - Meritorious Artist Si Tien said.
Meritorious Artist Trinh Mai Nguyen - Deputy Director of the Vietnam Drama Theater - said that the new spending level is only applied to programs using the State budget. For self-financing performances, ticket sales revenue is often not enough to cover expenses, forcing the theater to develop appropriate internal spending regulations.
Besides financial difficulties, the theater also lacks standard performance space. The current location is originally a rehearsal room, while previously the unit mainly performed at the Hanoi Opera House.
To reassure young artists to stick with the stage
According to actress Minh Cuc, increasing allowances and training will contribute to creating a more positive working environment when artists have more motivation to practice expertise and improve their abilities to be chosen by directors for roles.
However, the actress also said that many young artists who have collaborated with theaters for many years still do not have stable mechanisms such as long-term contracts to feel secure in their profession. She hopes that the State will continue to have more policies to pay attention to non-staff artists so that they have conditions to stick with the stage for a long time.
This view is also shared by the leaders of the theaters.
According to Meritorious Artist Trinh Mai Nguyen - Deputy Director of the Vietnam Drama Theater, for many years, new graduates of the University of Theater and Cinema have not been recruited as public employees, and theaters almost do not have mechanisms or funding to pay stable salaries.
“Many friends only stick together for a while and then have to quit because they cannot cover living expenses. Those from the province who come to Hanoi are even more pressured when they have to rent houses, travel expenses and accommodation,” he shared.
Meritorious Artist Mai Nguyen said that increasing the allowance level will help young artists have more income to ensure essential needs in life. When the pressure to make a living is reduced, professionals will have conditions to be more dedicated to each role.
In addition, the Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Drama Theatre said that it is necessary to soon put investment programs for the cultural field into practice, and at the same time continue to improve the mechanism to remove obstacles arising during the implementation process.
According to the leaders of the theaters, increasing allowances and training is a positive sign for performing arts. However, for the policy to be truly effective, more synchronous solutions are still needed in terms of facilities, financial resources and mechanisms to attract and retain young artists.
From July 1, 2026, Decree 261/2026/ND-CP on professional preferential allowances, training and performance regimes for officials and employees operating specifically in public performing arts units officially takes effect.
After the decree was implemented, many theaters and art units quickly disseminated the content to officials, artists and workers. The new policy also received positive responses from a large number of artists.
