Top 8 Hottest Trends in the Vietnamese Online Community in 2016

Dab originated as a South American dance move. The dancer simultaneously tilts their head and crosses their arms at their side, while continuously moving their arms. Initially popular in the underground hip hop, rap, and street culture communities, the dance gained widespread attention after featuring in music videos and performances, especially after the release of the hit song "Look at my Dab" by Migos. The move quickly became a global trend, embraced by the online community. In a short time, hundreds of thousands of people worldwide began 'dapping,' sharing photos filled with this iconic pose on social media.

• Because my dad smokes a lot of cigarettes.

This humorous comment style, often irrelevant to the topic at hand, quickly gained popularity across the online community, sparking a viral trend with memes and commentaries flooding social media. No matter the topic, discussions were humorously redirected to the reason being "Because my dad smokes a lot of cigarettes." Even though the original posts had nothing to do with smoking, responses like "Because my dad smokes a lot of cigarettes" or even "My grandfather smokes a lot of cigarettes" amused viewers and sparked curiosity. This quirkiness made the trend spread widely.

• Speaking for my feelings.

This trend started with a photo album titled "Sad Love Story" shared by a young man on Facebook at the end of October. The album featured creatively logical captions like "All these antennas but I still can't catch your heart" or "All these lighters, but your heart remains cold", making viewers laugh out loud. This humorous logic created a trend where young people shared photos with items, each accompanied by a witty phrase linking the object to an emotional situation. While often about love-related sadness, the posts carried a humorous and lighthearted vibe. Thanks to this creative spin, the trend generated countless unique variations across the web.

• Be me like.

Starting in early 2016, this trend originated from the popular entertainment site 9GAG. "Be Like Me" quickly gained traction for its humor and unique messages. The trend began with the phrase "This is..." followed by a list of amusing, exaggerated characteristics of the subject, concluding with "Be like..." The goal was to spread positive messages, such as reducing online fakeness, avoiding bragging, and encouraging an active, positive lifestyle.

Psyduck, a comical Pokémon character from the popular comic series, became the star of a humorous meme. This trend first appeared on international websites before making its way to Vietnam through the gaming community and social media platforms related to games like Dota 2, CS:GO, and League of Legends. These memes typically depict the confused Psyduck in funny scenarios, often expressing the emotions or actions of a person, or sometimes the meme creator itself. The trend was quickly embraced by the online community, with not only Psyduck but other famous characters also being turned into memes. It became popular among young people due to its humor and ability to relieve stress. No matter the issue, event, or celebrity, everything can be transformed into a quirky Psyduck meme with an amusing twist.

Pokémon Go is a groundbreaking game that combines real-world locations with augmented reality using cameras, sensors, maps, and algorithms to bring Pokémon into the physical world. Players take on the role of a Pokémon Trainer, venturing outdoors to catch Pokémon, complete tasks, equip their Pokémon, or battle. Thanks to its innovative gameplay and the popularity of Pokémon among young people in Vietnam, the game quickly attracted hundreds of thousands of players. Pokémon Go introduced a refreshing change to the gaming world, which had been dominated by virtual-only experiences. The game not only reignited childhood memories for many but also encouraged physical activity, offering an alternative to sitting in front of a computer or smartphone.

Following a series of challenges like the 'hands-to-belly-button' or 'hands-to-chest' feats, the latest trend among young people is the 'pencil between the chest' challenge. Originating from China, this challenge quickly gained traction among Vietnamese youth. The goal is simple: balance a pen between your chest. Successfully completing the task is seen as a sign of having a well-toned chest, which many admire. However, some argue that the challenge is bizarre and distasteful.

A new trend has emerged in the Vietnamese online community—sending shocking text messages to test the reactions of loved ones. These messages, often sent to partners, friends, or family, include outrageous phrases like: "Your wife/girlfriend is in my hands, prepare a ransom or I'll kill her," "I won't be able to come home this Tet, I'm sorry," "Honey, I'm pregnant..." The internet is full of hilarious responses from recipients, creating moments of laughter for all involved.