VI
EN
Stand-up comedy: A form of entertainment and a cultural playground.
Stand-up comedy isn't a completely new concept in Vietnam. The genre first gained attention through Dưa Leo's performance on Vietnam's Got Talent. However, it wasn't until 2019-2020 that stand-up comedy truly received greater public interest. With Nghiện Joke, they're not just bringing stand-up comedy back; they want to build it into a cultural platform for everyone. Hong Minh, the group leader, shared: "Stand-up comedy isn't just a form of entertainment, it's also a cultural playground for everyone."
Hanoi Stand-Up Comedy Group - Joke Addicts
To illustrate further, Minh continued: “On weekends, if you don’t know where to go, and are bored with going to cafes, watching movies, or strolling around, why not try stand-up comedy? You can participate as an audience member or try performing; who knows, you might discover an interesting aspect of yourself.” This sharing is the core of Nghiện Joke’s operating philosophy: bringing stand-up comedy closer to everyday life, making it an enjoyable option for anyone.
To provide opportunities for both newcomers and those already familiar with stand-up comedy, the group regularly organizes open mic sessions. This is a place where everyone can freely share their comedic stories without too much pressure. Initially, the members joined simply out of love for stand-up comedy and wanted to try their hand at it, turning lemonade stands into their first stage. But to perform professionally, the members gradually had to learn and hone their skills. "We constantly learn and research. I read books about stand-up comedy, watched comedy groups both domestically and internationally, and then adapted it so that Vietnamese comedy is Vietnamese, with its own culture and style, not trying to imitate anyone," Hong Minh shared.
"Vietnamese comedy should be Vietnamese, with its own culture and style, not trying to imitate anyone else."
Diverse stand-up comedy genres
One of Joke Addiction's recent experiments is combining stand-up comedy with other art forms. On December 19, 2024, the group collaborated with Hanoi FM to organize a special performance where stand-up comedy was combined with poetry and jazz music. Minh believes this is a way to expand the boundaries of stand-up comedy, helping audiences discover new and unique perspectives on this art form.
The group also experimented with various types of jokes, such as dark jokes, blue jokes (dirty jokes), dad jokes, etc. Each genre has its own appeal and attracts different audiences. Minh shared: "Everyone has different tastes in comedy. You can't tell a story and expect everyone to find it funny. So, our group will try each genre one by one, partly to experiment and partly to satisfy the diverse 'humor' of the audience."
Hong Minh, leader of the stand-up comedy group "Nghiện Joke" (Joke Addicts).
However, the development of stand-up comedy inevitably faces challenges, especially in balancing humor and sensitivity. Hong Minh shared: “There are jokes that are ‘punch down’ – mocking marginalized groups, or ‘punch up’ – targeting major social issues. These are still quite sensitive aspects in Vietnam compared to other countries. Therefore, our group always researches and considers very carefully to ensure that stand-up comedy doesn’t become offensive. Our goal has always been to keep the laughter from hurting anyone, so that everyone can feel the joy.”
"I believe that stand-up comedy will also have its own 'playing field,' and I hope it will make similar progress as it receives more attention and appreciation from the audience."
Looking to the future, Minh confidently asserts that Vietnamese stand-up comedy has the potential to reach the same level as international shows. “Shows by Kevin Hart or Matt Rife can attract tens of thousands of viewers. I believe Vietnam can do the same; it’s just a matter of time,” he shared. He cited the recent “Brother” music shows and the explosion of Vietnamese Hip Hop after the Rap Viet program as clear evidence that Vietnamese culture and art are increasingly being accepted and supported by audiences. “I believe stand-up comedy will also have its own ‘playing field,’ and I hope it will make similar progress as it receives more attention and love from the audience,” Minh added.
With the enthusiasm of people like Hong Minh and the members of the Joke Addicts group, along with the pioneering efforts of groups like Saigon Teo, stand-up comedy is gradually becoming a fresh and appealing entertainment option in Vietnam. Beyond simply providing laughter, they also aim to bring stand-up comedy closer to the audience, making it a part of cultural life. These tireless efforts are the driving force behind the hope that stand-up comedy will become increasingly popular and widely accepted.
