Q̾u̾i̾c̾k̾ ̾F̾i̾r̾e̾: Vinahouse, Đôn chề and motorbikes
How Vietnamese culture is getting new gen remix, by MØRNING’s resident Viet-xpert Ivy Vo
What is Vietnam? The wars, colonised time, phở, a gap year fantasy. Motorbikes, constant honks, smoke and oversaturated LED light leaks. It’s balloons. Karaoke everywhere.
But scratch beneath the stereotypes and you'll find a vibrant nation that is constantly evolving. Today, a generation of youth is adding their voices to the mix, carving their own paths to constantly emphasise individuality. They're incorporating elements from different cultures into their own identities, creating unique scenes. It's a force to be heard and recognised. Viet culture: rise up.
First, let’s talk about Vinahouse
There's a kinship between Vinahouse and other energetic dance scenes like Cuba's guaracha, Brazil's baile funk, or the Philippines' budot. It's the high energy, unapologetic drops and the remix culture. In this age of globalised music, where trends can homogenise sounds, Vinahouse stands out as a powerful example of why local flavours matter. Vinahouse is dance music made by the Viet, for the Viet. Vinahouse is so ingrained into the daily lives of the Viet that we can't really escape it. Weddings, cafes, bubble tea shops, nail shops, uncles singing karaoke on the pavement, you name it.
Then there’s Nonstop (NST), which is a popular term whenever Vinahouse is mentioned. 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours straight of banger after banger. Build up and drop. Bouncy, warpy synth lines. The drops will show you no mercy. After every drop, a sweet euphoric female vocal will enter and eventually the build ups come again.
To some, vinahouse is tacky. To others, it requires a refined taste. There has always been a debate going on about vinahouse as to why it is so trashy/why it is so addictive. However, there's no denying Vinahouse's growing influence.
What was considered cheesy just a few years ago has become a fixture in the clubs, embraced by a new generation of DJs, producers, artists who are proudly incorporating it into their sets, or even dedicating themselves entirely to the genre, following in the footsteps of pioneering Vinahouse legends. And today, it’s making moves, crossing borders offline and transcending online…
Exhibit A: Afterwork Aerobic session in the park blasting vinahouse, 160-170bpm (no chill)
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Exhibit B: ARATASHIIGAKO dancing to vinahouse
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Đôn chề subculture
The most immediate link to Vinahouse is the Đôn chề subculture. Đôn chề is how we Viet pronounce Dolce (& Gabbana). Gu chì is for Gucci. Chà neo for Chanel, and so on… This subculture embraces a distinct aesthetic that often includes:
Designer clothes: Logomania, Dolce & Gabbana red trainers/slippers, big Gucci belt, eagle printed t-shirts
Low-rise, ripped jeans or tight-fitting khaki pants are common clothing choices, often paired with thong sandals or flip-flops
Embellishment: chunky gold chains, rings, dragons (because gold is elite)
Customised motorbikes: which they showcase as a symbol of their individuality and style
The authenticity of their designer pieces might be questionable, but their desire to express themselves is 100% real. Yes Đôn Chề is loud and controversial, but it's a passionate expression of a generation's wanting to be seen and heard. A celebration of hustle and resourceful remix.
Shoutout to the Đôn chề boy and Gu chì girl.
Exhibit D: Gucci logomania's bootleg by Vũ Trụ Inc (@vutru.inc) with Buddhist chanting
The Đôn chề dance
And we can’t talk about the Đôn chề subculture without talking about the Đôn chề dance. Đôn chề dance has become a viral sensation thanks in part to the rise of TikTok. This unique style focuses on the upper body, with dancers using repetitive arm gestures to create a rhythmic flow. Beyond the fluidity of each move, Dolce dancers also pay close attention to their gestures and facial expressions. The overall vibe perfectly embodies the Đôn Chề style, which is characterised by this attempt at conveying elegance, sophistication, and a hint of sexiness.
Exhibit E: A Thai schoolgirl spotted dancing “See Tình” by Hoàng Thuỳ Linh, a song that is exploded on Tiktok in 2023. The catchy tune and accompanying dance moves took the platform by storm, with people all over the world joining in including BLACKPINK. See also: this BAND4BAND remix (there's nothing that can't be remixed, I repeat). And this iconic dance mat rendition. And so on…
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Motorbike = Freedom
Motorbikes are a necessity in Vietnam and also a metaphor of freedom. It is a cultural icon. It is a symbol of growing autonomy, of romance, and rebellion.
Exhibit F: A customised tantric motorbike by Anh Phan from @tangdong_gang
Exhibit G: The motorbike is a symbol of romance that extends even beyond pop culture, into Vietnam’s hardcore/experimental and underground scenes. See: Saigon Motorbike Angels
Exhibit H: A customised electric bike by @aima.bietduoc.culture
Exhibit I: You can pretty much do whatever you want with a motorbike @vietnamemes. Actually, fuck motorbikes, use a horse instead.
The beauty in chaos
Now that you've made it here, you have probably seen a pattern of chaos in the Viet culture. There is fun in the mundane, speed in the slow traffic, the casual ‘make-it-work' attitude of solutions cobbled together. There is something unexplainable about it; more words won't be enough. Undeniable charm to this apparent disarray. This is just a taste of Vietnam, a mere scratch on the surface. But in order to deep dive into the niche, you gotta understand the mass. There are countless hidden corners waiting to be explored. But that, my friend, is a journey for another time.
That’s all for today! As always, thanks for reading.
And while you’re here: have you seen our OPEN CALL? We’re looking for thoughts, essays, visual explorations, and video essays on the unpredictable chaos of social media (or vision of where it's headed next), to help us build our new report The State of Social. Email your responses (500 words max, unlimited images/videos welcome) to sos@morning.fyi. Excited to hear some burning hot takes…