Gillian Chung robbed in HCM City
Gillian Chung is a singer and actress based in Hong Kong. During a recent Valentines Day trip with her boyfriend her phone was stolen as they were trying to navigate the streets of HCM City. "My boyfriend tried to chase the thief, but he disappeared in the crowd," she told a Hong Kong newspaper on February 19.
A number of South Korean productions have come to shot scenes in Vietnam. For fans this has meant that the international airports are a good place for those who want to get a celebrity sighting. They have often formed large crowds that can at times become raucous.
Performers such as Bi Rain, Super Junior, Big Bang, and T-ara can regularly be seen at international airports.
In one widely-reported incident that occurred a few years ago, the star of the South Korean film "Full House" was so terrified by the crowds that showed up at Tan Son Nhat Airport at 11pm just to catch a glimpse. Bi Rain quickly left out of fear for his safety.
Enthusiastic fans scare foreign artists
Even as he fled the scene, a mob of over-enthusiastic young people chased his car. There were several injuries and reports of theft.
Similar incidents have occurred during performances of South Korean groups like Big Bang and T-ara. The former was so terrified when the audience rushed the stage at a HCM City performance last year that they were forced to stop the show and hide backstage.
T-ara also had to stop a show last year because of audience behaviour.
Cast of "Running Man" terrified by crazed crowds
The cast of the Korean television programme "Running Man" were shocked at the behaviour of the sizable crowd which gathered to see them while filming in Hanoi in early February. Fans tried to grab their hair and tear at their clothes, leaving one cast member, Kim Jong Kook, in injured.
Kim Jong Kook (first from the right) injured while filming in Hanoi
Many have begun to worry that such incidents will harm Vietnam's image as a desirable place to perform or film and discourage celebrities who might otherwise visit the country.
