BigBang takes Hanoi fans down memory lane with two decades of hits

Updated: 16:03, 25/10/2026

South Korean K-pop group BigBang brought tens of thousands of fans in Hanoi on a nostalgic journey Saturday night, performing some of its biggest hits from the past 20 years, including "Fantastic Baby" and "Haru Haru."

The concert at My Dinh National Stadium marked the group's first performance in the Vietnamese capital and was part of its 20th-anniversary world tour.

Daesung (L), G-Dragon and Taeyang perform at BigBang's first concert in Hanoi on Oct. 24, 2026. The group will perform again on Oct. 25. The show is part of BigBang's "XX: COSMOS" 2026-2027 world tour, featuring approximately 39 performances across multiple countries and territories from Aug. 21, 2026, to Feb. 28, 2027. Photo by VnExpress/Xuan Mai

During a break in the show, leader G-Dragon looked back on the group's two-decade career. "A journey that changed everything began in 2006. And here we are in 2026, still together to celebrate these wonderful 20 years," he said.

The members thanked fans for their continued support, saying their loyalty had made the concert possible. "Thank you for waiting so patiently!" G-Dragon said.

G-Dragon, Taeyang and Daesung opened the concert with "Fantastic Baby," one of the group's biggest hits, which helped popularize a blend of electronic dance music and hip-hop in K-pop. Billboard previously credited the song's explosive energy with helping K-pop reach audiences beyond South Korea.

The group kept the crowd energized with "Tonight," "Blue" and "Bad Boy" before each member took the stage for solo performances. Daesung entertained fans with humorous exchanges between songs, while Taeyang impressed with his energetic choreography.

During "Bad," Taeyang sang while lying across the outstretched arms of his backup dancers. He later performed "Ringa Linga" wearing a fur coat as flames shot up from the stage. During "Live Fast Die Slow," he approached fans in different sections of the venue, drawing loud cheers.

G-Dragon, the last member to perform solo, received the loudest cheers from fans. Wearing his signature beret and oversized jacket, he performed "Crayon," "Crooked" and "Power," songs exploring loneliness, personal struggles and his passion for music.

After "Home Sweet Home," the group left the stage, but fans continued singing "Haru Haru" and chanting "One more time!" About 10 minutes later, BigBang returned for an encore featuring "Last Farewell" and "Feeling." The concert ended at 10:30 p.m. with "Still Life," released in 2022. The song reflects on youth, change and the group's ups and downs following years away from the spotlight.

Even after the final song, many fans remained in their seats, singing familiar BigBang hits.

Throughout the nearly three-hour concert, the members impressed with their stage presence, strong live vocals, energetic choreography and frequent interactions with the audience.

During "Hands Up," Daesung repeatedly shouted, "Hanoi, put your hands up!" The members also greeted fans in Vietnamese, saying "Xin chao, Ha Noi" (Hello, Hanoi), and wished them an enjoyable evening.

Lan Anh, 28, from Hanoi, had nearly lost her voice after hours of cheering with friends.

"This is the first time I have seen them in person after years of watching them on television and phone screens," she said. "Each member's life and career has changed so much, but their old songs still bring back memories of their youth and ours."

Elaborate stage effects were another highlight of the concert.

Visual introductions between segments featured striking designs, while fireworks, pyrotechnics and bursts of flames accompanied many performances. At the end of G-Dragon's "Crayon," confetti filled the air as LED lighting effects swept across the audience for several minutes.

According to organizers, the Hanoi stage was comparable in scale to the group's setup in Goyang, South Korea, measuring 64 meters wide.

Two large LED screens flanked the main stage, while a 23-ton mobile LED display featured a diamond-shaped design and a synchronized multi-motor system that allowed it to move through programmed sequences. Large speaker systems were installed on specialized structures to deliver clear sound across different sections of the stadium.

Renowned Vietnamese singer Tung Duong, who attended the concert, described it as a memorable event not only for K-pop fans but also for Vietnam's music industry. He praised the group's distinctive musical style, stage presence and individuality.

"They are truly talented vocalists, not simply idols defined by choreography, fashion or stage technology," he said. "Each voice has its own character, but together they create a harmonious sound that is unmistakably BigBang."

He also admired the group's confident, free-spirited performance style. He said singing, moving around the stage and interacting with tens of thousands of fans while maintaining energy and emotion throughout the show required considerable skill and experience.

"That kind of excellence on stage does not come naturally. Behind it are talent, rigorous training and years of performance experience," he said.