Many Vietnamese, including celebrities, have been taking on the Ice Bucket Challenge to help raise awareness and funds to fight amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease.
The Ice Bucket Challenge started in 2013 and went viral within a year. The origin of the challenge is unclear, but requires those challenged to dump cold water on their heads. Participants regularly have sponsors who donate and, in turn, challenge three others to do the same.
Many well-known figures in Vietnam, such as Ho Ngoc Ha and Dam Vinh Hung, and even younger stars like Diem My and Ho Vinh Khoa have accepted the challenge. After filming of the series X-Factor Vietnam, Ho Ngoc Ha and Dam Vinh Hung both accepted to have buckets of ice water poured over them on-set.
Ho Ngoc Ha and Dam Vinh Hung take on the challenge
Singer Dinh Huong surprised the public when she challenged three others, including songwriter Phuong Uyen, singer Ho Quynh Huong and then the Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang.
Singer Minh Quan, however, has stated that he thinks the Ice Bucket Challenge is no longer a fundraising phenomenon, but simply a game. He said, "Accidents have happened. No one really contributes to the fund, they only dump the water on their heads and post the videos on Youtube."
When asked about this phenomenon, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho Anh Tuan said, "It's great if it's for charity. But people, especially elderly people, should keep their own health in mind before taking on this challenge. There are a lot of ways to do charity work that does not involve pouring freezing water on your head."
