After securing her ticket and choosing her outfit, Minh Huyen, 30, from Hanoi, thought all she had left to do was count down the days until she could see her idols. But when she read the list of prohibited items for the BIGBANG concert, she found herself unpacking her bag and checking everything she had prepared.

Her biggest dilemma was a camera she had recently purchased. She wanted to capture sharper images of her idols than her phone could produce, but professional cameras with interchangeable lenses are among the items banned from the venue.

"I even considered buying a zoom lens attachment for my phone, but I'm not sure whether it would be allowed. Buying one only to have to leave it outside would be a waste of money and a hassle," Huyen said.

The camera was not her only concern. A small bottle of perfume and a reusable water bottle also had to be removed from her packing list.

"Normally, when I go out, I just put whatever I need in my bag. Going to a concert means thinking carefully about every item. I want to travel light, but I'm still worried about forgetting something," she said.

Packing for a concert takes careful planning

According to the official event guidelines for the October 24 and 25 concerts at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, backpacks and bags larger than A4 size are not permitted inside the venue. Outside food and drinks, reusable water bottles, perfume, body sprays, chairs and stools are also prohibited.

The restrictions mean concertgoers need to plan what they bring well in advance. Fans traveling to Hanoi from other provinces and cities, in particular, will have to separate their travel luggage from the essentials they intend to take into the stadium rather than arriving with bulky backpacks.

Although check-in activities begin at noon and gates open for different ticket categories between 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., ahead of the 7:30 p.m. performances, fans are advised against bringing large umbrellas or miniature folding chairs to make the wait more comfortable.

Perfume and body sprays are prohibited regardless of container size. Even transferring these products into smaller bottles may not be enough to get them through security.

The organizers have also imposed strict restrictions on recording equipment, banning tablets, iPads, GoPro cameras, professional cameras and professional lenses. To avoid complications during security checks, attendees are also advised not to bring miniature lens attachments for smartphones.

Restrictions extend to fan merchandise and cheering accessories. Posters, towels and banners must not exceed 15 by 40 centimeters. Signs containing offensive or inflammatory messages are strictly prohibited.

All concertgoers will undergo thorough bag inspections and may be denied entry if they fail to comply with the regulations.

For items that fall into a gray area or are not clearly addressed in the guidelines, fans are encouraged to contact the organizers in advance for clarification.

Checking the rules and packing accordingly before leaving home is the best way to avoid last-minute difficulties, the struggle to find somewhere to store prohibited belongings, or even having to abandon personal items just before the show begins.

Thu Hien