In 2025, Vietnamese youth gave rise to a series of heartfelt and creative trends that lit up social media and touched everyday life. Each trend reflected their unique perspectives, emotions, and identity - painting a vivid portrait of Vietnam’s young generation.

Rediscovering memories through Google Maps

In July 2025, a viral trend emerged: Vietnamese users began using the Google Maps street view archive to revisit memories of old homes, familiar street corners, and even deceased loved ones.

A girl in An Giang province, for instance, was stunned to discover an image of her late aunt captured in a past street view. For many, the experience felt like an unexpected, miraculous reunion after years of separation.

Tutorial videos explaining how to use the historical imagery function spread quickly, garnering millions of views and inspiring others to go on similar virtual memory trips.

Inviting strangers to weddings

Toward the end of 2025, a quirky yet touching trend took off: couples planning their weddings began posting photos online with open invitations to strangers.

While many assumed these were playful gestures, numerous couples genuinely welcomed unknown guests - and the results were surprising.

In Hanoi, a bride preparing for her wedding on December 13 prepared ten banquet tables to host 60 complete strangers who responded to her online invite.

In another case, a groom from Phuong Duc commune, Hanoi, received over 1,000 RSVPs after posting an open wedding invitation. On December 27, he greeted 50 strangers who attended, bringing a wave of excitement and warmth to the celebration.

Growing ginger bonsai plants

In a more introspective trend, ginger bonsai - small ornamental ginger plants grown in minimalist pots - captured the imagination of young urban dwellers in 2025.

Ginger roots with unique, sculptural forms, paired with carefully chosen pots and arrangements, gained popularity for their natural beauty and meditative quality. Photos of these miniature creations flooded plant enthusiast groups and social platforms.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, ginger bonsai became a symbol of tranquility - especially for office workers or those living in tight urban spaces. The act of nurturing something small and organic offered a break from the digital rush of modern life.

The rise of AI-generated portraits

Artificial intelligence also played a major role in 2025’s youth trends. From AI wedding portraits to surreal childhood imaginings, young people embraced the creative possibilities of image generation tools.

With just a few lines of input, users could produce portraits in a wide range of styles - from romantic fantasy to nostalgic realism. Many chose to “meet” their younger selves through AI or see themselves in fantastical scenarios.

Popular themes included: reimagining childhood photos, simulating summer snowfall, transforming into mermaids, or creating dreamlike wedding scenes. These AI artworks weren’t just fun - they became a way to explore identity, emotion, and fantasy in an era shaped by technology.

More than just fleeting moments online, these trends illustrated how Vietnam’s young people are rewriting the language of expression - combining nostalgia, spontaneity, and tech-driven creativity to make 2025 a year to remember.

Thanh Minh