From false advertising to controversial PR stunts, inappropriate and misleading content has once again surged across Vietnamese social media platforms in recent weeks.

Over the past month, platforms such as Facebook and TikTok have been inundated with “toxic” content - carefully crafted to grab attention and go viral, regardless of its accuracy or impact.

One recent case involves prominent influencers Hang Du Muc and Quang Linh Vlogs, along with Miss Grand International 2021 Thuy Tien, who repeatedly livestreamed to promote Kera vegetable candy, a product by CER Group and manufactured by ASIA LIFE Corporation (Dak Lak).

The livestreams made bold claims such as “one candy equals a plate of vegetables.” Following public backlash, the three issued apologies and admitted to making false claims in their promotions.

As a result, Hang Du Muc and Quang Linh Vlogs were each fined 70 million VND (around $2,800), while Thuy Tien received only an official warning.

But the vegetable candy wasn’t the only product they advertised. The two influencers also promoted a 70ml bird’s nest drink, claiming it contained 30 grams of premium A5-grade bird’s nest and retailed for only 188,000 VND (approx. $7.50).

This sparked outrage among actual bird’s nest suppliers, who pointed out the physical impossibility of fitting 30 grams into a 70ml jar and questioned the product’s quality given the unusually low price.

Hang Du Muc later admitted to the misinformation, took responsibility, and apologized to both customers and those in the bird’s nest industry.

Beyond false advertising, social media has also been plagued with sensational and unethical publicity stunts in recent weeks.

On March 3, Ho Chi Minh City’s Criminal Police Department reported the emergency arrest of nine individuals for “disturbing public order” following a stunt in which four people dressed in black carried a coffin through the streets near Ben Thanh Market.

Their goal? To boost TikTok views and draw attention to the clothing they were advertising.

The incident occurred on February 25, when the group paraded down Le Lai Street - wearing shirts with their brand’s design - before reaching the intersections at Tran Hung Dao and Phan Chu Trinh. The stunt immediately triggered public outrage.

Just a day later, another PR stunt sparked controversy.

On March 26, during a film premiere in Ho Chi Minh City attended by celebrities such as Bach Cong Khanh, Lan Thy, artist Ngan Quynh, and MC Dai Nghia, the cast arrived at the event in an ambulance - with sirens blaring and emergency lights flashing.

The spectacle caused a traffic stir and quickly became a hot topic on social media. Authorities later confirmed that the ambulance was operating without a permit.

Though the film’s producers and Dai Nghia apologized, many suspected the event was a calculated PR move to promote the newly released film.

Most recently, the romantic drama involving streamer ViruSs - livestreamed on TikTok - dominated social media, drawing millions of views. The content, however, revolved around his personal love life, and many criticized it as trivial and meaningless.

With the rapid-fire spread of content on social media, toxic trends have once again gone viral, provoking widespread frustration. The consequences are significant, especially since most users of these platforms are young people.

Le My