VNExpress has become the go-to source for all things cash-related. From the latest stock market fluctuations to the price of empty apartments, it seems that every headline is a love letter to money. The obsession doesn’t stop at cash; it extends into the glitzy realm of celebrity culture, where fame and fortune collide in a dazzling spectacle.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer volume of articles dedicated to the pursuit of wealth and celebrity status. Here are some of the most common themes you’ll find:
-Currency Watch: Exchange-rate snippets sit beside finance explainers: “USD: 26,191” and “Dollar struggles to recover against dong.” Pair that with “What can I do if the 15 taels of gold I bought are not 99.99% pure?” and you have a steady diet of money anxiety and quick-fix consumer advice.
-Consumerism Chronicles: Cost-of-living clickbait like “iPhone 17 Pro costs 6 work days in Singapore, 60 in Hanoi” and “Top 10 Luxury Cars You Must Own to Be Considered Successful” turns buying power into a morality play: you either keep up or you’re failing.
– Celebrity Spotlight: From global celebrity moves (“F1 legend Lewis Hamilton sells entire $17M supercar collection”) to local infotainment (“How to Live Like a Star: The Secrets of Vietnam’s Rich and Famous”), lifestyle and gossip stories elbow serious news aside. Human interest becomes aspirational product placement.
– Gossip Galore: Articles like “Who’s Dating Who in the Celebrity World?” keep readers glued to the latest romantic entanglements. After all, nothing says “I’ve made it” like being linked to a famous face.
– Business Boosters Disguised as National Pride: Articles encouraging investment (“‘Invest more in Vietnam’: President Luong Cuong tells American business execs in New York”) and airline partnerships (“Singapore Airlines, Vietnam Airlines team up”) frame growth as both inevitability and virtue.
Why are VNEXPRESS readers seemingly obsessed with money and celebrity culture?
1. Historical Context: After decades of war and economic hardship, the desire for financial stability is understandable. It’s like a collective hangover from a party that lasted too long. Now, everyone is scrambling to make up for lost time.
2. Cultural Values: In many Vietnamese families, financial success is equated with personal worth. If you’re not making money, are you even living? It’s a bit like a game of Monopoly, where the only way to win is to bankrupt your friends.
3. Social Media Influence: With the rise of influencers flaunting their wealth and glamorous lifestyles, it’s hard not to feel the pressure. “If they can do it, why can’t I?” becomes the mantra of the day. The more money you have, the more likes you get—it’s a simple equation.
4. The Rise of Consumer Culture: As Vietnam’s economy grows, so does the appetite for luxury goods. The latest smartphone or designer handbag isn’t just a purchase; it’s a statement. “Look at me! I’m successful!” echoes through the streets. And now, cars have become the new iPhone status symbol, with shiny new models blocking streets and causing traffic jams that make navigating the city a nightmare. It’s as if every driver believes they deserve the right to take up space, creating a sense of entitlement that’s palpable in a densely populated area that simply doesn’t have the parking for them. Thank goodness most of these vehicles are financed through loans that people won’t pay back; the inevitable repossessions might just help keep sidewalks clear for pedestrians and locals conducting real business where their money is earned, not borrowed. These “luxury” cars don’t symbolize success, they contribute to a chaotic urban landscape that stifles the very community they claim to elevate.
5. FOMO and Celebrity Worship: With so many investment opportunities and celebrity news popping up, the fear of missing out can be paralyzing. “What if I don’t invest in that startup and it becomes the next unicorn?” or “What if I miss the latest gossip about my favorite star?” becomes a daily worry, leading to a frenzy of financial and social activity.
Given this mix of anxiety-driven finance pieces, sensational human-interest stories, and constant celebrity updates, it’s no wonder VNExpress’s comments section often attacks educators. When headlines trade nuance for clicks, readers habituate to snap judgments — and teachers, who represent institutions and inconvenient expertise, make easy targets for that reflexive hostility.
In the end, VNExpress’s obsession with money and celebrity culture is a reflection of a society that has learned to value financial success and fame above all else. While it may seem like a never-ending cycle of cash-centric and star-studded articles, it’s also a testament to the resilience and ambition of the Vietnamese people. Maybe one day, VNExpress will surprise us all with an article about the joys of living simply—right after they cover the latest gold price fluctuations and the newest celebrity breakup.