Blackpink will perform in Vietnam for the first time in their seven-year career. - Courtesy of NJ.com
HANOI (Vietnam News/Asia News Network): The first concerts of the South Korean girl group Blackpink in Vietnam are attracting the frenzied attention of thousands upon thousands of fans across the country.
The Vietnamese K-Pop fan community was taken aback on the morning of June 26, by YG Entertainment's news that Blackpink will perform their next two concerts at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi in July.
The news sparked an immediate eruption of social networks. On social media, Vietnamese fans expressed astonishment and delight that the four girls would visit Vietnam for the first time in their seven-year career.
Ngoc Linh, 21, a hospitality marketing coordinator said: "I am a longtime fan and have been to several K-Pop concerts. At the end of May, I also got the pleasure to attend Blackpink's show in Bangkok, Thailand. My emotions were so excited during the three months of preparation until the event. When I got to the stadium to see my favourite girls, everything seemed surreal.
"I was shocked when I heard that Blackpink were planning to perform in the My Dình Stadium. I never imagined Vietnam being on Blackpink's international tour. I'm thrilled and excited, but concerned because the announcement seems rushed."
After just one day, the Facebook page Đu concert BlackPink "Born Pink" ở Vietnam (BlackPink concert "Born Pink" in Vietnam) gained more than 30,000 followers. Many on the forum discussed their previous experiences seeing Blackpink perform in various countries.
Linh added: "The first thing I need to do is mentally prepare for the 'battle' of booking tickets. As always, once I have the concert ticket in hand, I will create the appropriate 'bags' for the show, such as lightsticks and banners to welcome Blackpink to Vietnam. The final steps will be choosing the best outfit for the 'special day' and waiting for the organisers' next announcement."
Minh Anh, 31, said: "I've been watching plenty of TikTok and YouTube videos of influencers who went to the Born Pink performances in the past. They give a lot of reliable advice, like how to dress appropriately and secure one's things, as well as how to find the best seat or stand to follow the performers easily."
On several K-Pop sites, there are also disputes and predictions concerning the concert ticket costs in Hanoi.
It is estimated that around 26,000 seats in various subdivisions and denominations will be sold, filling out Vietnam's second-largest stadium.
Minh Quan, 23, of Ho Chi Minh City, said: "I have been looking forward to attending Blackpink's concert for a long time. Because of my job I am unable to travel abroad and meet my idol in reality.
"I instantly booked a flight and hotel in Hanoi after learning Blackpink would be performing in July. Even though the tickets have not yet been sold, I still managed to plan the time and money. I consider it worth the risk because you never know when you will get another chance to see them.
"A fun fact is that I am not going to travel to Hanoi alone, but will be joined by my mum. She disagreed at first when I said I liked Blackpink. She believed Korean idols were only for girls. But she gradually became a huge fan while watching them with me."
After attending a number of concerts both locally and internationally, many people said that the stage for holding concerts in Vietnam is still limited. The ticketing website cannot handle a high number of visits, the announcement was delayed, and the unscientific zone splitting makes the ticket counting process difficult.
Blackpink's upcoming concerts are expected to be able to overcome those drawbacks and provide concertgoers with the best possible experience.
Additionally, Vietnam will have a chance to demonstrate that it is capable of earning a spot on the world tours of many famous artists.
