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Although Bac Ninh is responsible for producing smartphones used worldwide, the province remains relatively unknown internationally. Local artists are changing that narrative through creative projects like "Bac Bling," said the news outlet.
The music video, whose title cleverly plays on "Bac Ninh," became a viral sensation just 21 days after its release, amassing over 70 million views. On March 5, it climbed to the No. 2 spot on YouTube’s global music video rankings, competing alongside global superstars such as Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. It still held third place as of March 19.
Blending traditional Vietnamese folk melodies and rap verses, the video showcases prominent tourist destinations across Bac Ninh. It begins by depicting young villagers parading with a traditional dragon puppet and progresses to vibrant scenes of locals in colorful traditional outfits, dancing through their hometown’s streets.
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Vietnamese singer Hoa Minzy. Photo courtesy of Hoa Minzy's Facebook |
The catchy rap lyrics serve as a playful invitation to visit Bac Ninh, all accompanied by distinctive Vietnamese folk instruments.
Nikkei Asia highlighted a viewer’s enthusiastic comment: "I watch this video a dozen times every day."
The song resulted from collaboration among three artists native to Bac Ninh: composer Tuan Cry, singer Hoa Minzy, and renowned comedian Xuan Hinh, called the "King of Northern Comedy." Wearing sunglasses and traditional attire (ao dai), Xuan Hinh raps and dances in a temple setting, his performance reminiscent of Psy’s global hit "Gangnam Style," it said.
Hoa Minzy engaged local villagers in the project, featuring an elderly woman whose striking appearance—complete with traditional black teeth and chewing betel leaves—captured viewers’ attention. The women in the video wear traditional dresses and black headscarves, performing a representation of local customs.
The video highlights iconic sites like the Lim Festival wrestling matches, Phu Lang pottery village, Ba Chua Kho temple, and boat races on the Cau River.
Bac Ninh officials have leveraged the video by providing free tourist bus services and rewarding its creators for helping boost the province’s global profile.
Bac Ninh led Vietnam in foreign direct investment, attracting $5.1 billion in 2024, representing 13% of the national total. Samsung has significantly contributed to this growth since establishing a mobile phone factory there in 2008, investing over $20 billion across six facilities. Approximately half of Samsung’s smartphones worldwide originate from Vietnam.
Nikkei Asia said Bac Ninh’s newfound popularity through "Bac Bling" might be granting it even greater international recognition than Samsung’s presence ever has.
Hoa Minzy's "Bac Bling" music video.
