In Vietnam, Japanese culture such as manga, anime, and music is growing in popularity. At events, it is not uncommon to encounter cosplayers dressed as Japanese anime characters. So are Japanese idols popular too? Many people are curious. Here, we explain popular idols in Vietnam, including how idol culture differs from Japan.

Views of idols in Vietnam differ from Japan

In Vietnam, ideas about idols differ from those in Japan, so if you ask “Who is your favorite idol?” you may often get an unexpected answer.

Vietnamese idols are individuals, not groups

In Japan in the past, “idol” typically referred to individuals such as Seiko Matsuda or Akina Nakamori. Starting with Onyanko Club, then Hello! Project, AKB groups, and others, the view that idols equal groups became established. In Vietnam, however, “idol” basically refers to an individual. The style of performing as a group is not common.

Vietnamese idols are expected to be fully polished

Recent Japanese idols win fans by showing how they overcome imperfect singing and dancing skills. With “growth” as a premise, debut ages have fallen, and many idols debut in junior high or even elementary school. In Vietnam, however, the basic premise is that singing and dancing skills are already complete at debut. Most are in their 20s or older, and “beautiful” is valued more than “cute.”

Popular idol in Vietnam ①: Chi Pu (Chi Phu)

Chi Pu has maintained popularity as an actress and singer in Vietnam for more than 10 years.

Attractive looks that Vietnamese women also admire

Chi Pu debuted in entertainment in 2009. After being selected as Miss Teen, she started working as a model. She then appeared in more commercials and acted in TV dramas. Today she is also popular as a singer—a multi-talented figure. Her looks are very beautiful and sexy. To gain idol status in Vietnam, both of these qualities are required.

Also drawing attention as an influencer

Another strength of Chi Pu is her talent as an influencer. She boasts overwhelming follower counts on Facebook—the most used platform in Vietnam—as well as Instagram and YouTube. She also has a strong presence on TikTok, which is exploding in popularity among young people in Japan as well. She made headlines as the first Vietnamese person to receive 10 million likes on a dance video and similar content.

Popular idols in Vietnam ②: AKB groups

In Vietnam, Japanese manga and anime are highly popular, but idols have not penetrated to the same degree. Among those working hard in that space are the AKB groups.

Early AKB48 is the best known

In Vietnam, people know of the AKB groups, but recognition of songs and members is limited to the early period. In particular, many young Vietnamese can hum “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie,” which has now surpassed 200 million plays. Well-known members include Atsuko Maeda, Yuko Oshima, and Rino Sashihara. Recently released songs and currently active members are not well known.

Vietnam’s first idol group, SGO48

SGO48 was formed in 2018 as Vietnam’s first idol group. Based in Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam, it operates as one of the AKB48 groups under the overall production of Yasushi Akimoto. It once included Japanese members, but is now composed only of Vietnamese members. It has not achieved nationwide recognition in Vietnam, but when events are held, dedicated fans who have mastered otagei gather.

Popular idols in Vietnam ③: Korean dance groups

In fact, the idols with the most momentum in Vietnam are Korean-style dance groups. So many dance groups have entered Vietnam that it is hard to single out just one.

Girls’ Generation pioneered the Korean idol boom

Originally in Vietnam, enka-style music using traditional instruments was mainstream, and there was almost no music young people could enjoy. What changed that music scene was the Korean Wave boom. In particular, Girls’ Generation songs—which were also huge hits in Japan—ignited the Korean Wave boom in Vietnam. For that reason, even today many people still name Girls’ Generation as their favorite idols.

Korean idols with Japanese members have also arrived

Partly due to the Korean Wave boom, makeup and fashion among Vietnamese entertainers have also shifted toward Korean styles. As a result, you sometimes see Vietnamese women whose appearance is hard to distinguish from Koreans. That said, Korean idol groups have become increasingly multinational, so Japanese people are not uninvolved. One example is TWICE. As in Japan, the group is popular in Vietnam, and in popularity polls Japanese members rank near the top.

Conclusion

The Vietnamese definition of “idol” is very broad and includes not only the singers mainly introduced here, but also actresses, models, and influencers. There are also more than a few Vietnamese who prefer Thai or Chinese idols. So if you have a chance to talk with Vietnamese people, it might be fun to discuss Vietnam’s diverse idol culture.