On October 13, 2025, the Vietnamese internet landscape was set ablaze by a sudden and dramatic surge in searches for "Ngân 98," the stage name of Võ Thị Ngọc Ngân. The spike, which began just after 10 a.m., sent search engine analytics into overdrive and quickly became the talk of both online communities and traditional media. According to Google Trends data reported by multiple outlets, including nguoiduatin.vn and thuongtruong.vn, the search volume for "Ngân 98" reached unprecedented heights, with certain regions such as Ho Chi Minh City and Cần Thơ topping the charts.
It was a morning like any other—until it wasn’t. By late morning, as nguoiduatin.vn detailed, the search interest for "Ngân 98" had remained steady for several hours before shooting up vertically after 10 a.m. The top trending queries were unmistakable: “bắt Ngân 98” (arrest Ngân 98), “Ngân 98 bị bắt” (Ngân 98 arrested), and “bắt DJ Ngân 98” (arrest DJ Ngân 98). In a matter of minutes, these phrases dominated the Vietnamese internet, reflecting a nationwide curiosity—and, perhaps, shock—at the news unfolding.
What, exactly, triggered this digital frenzy? The answer lies in a high-profile legal case that had just broken. The Economic Police Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Police had announced the prosecution and temporary detention of Võ Thị Ngọc Ngân, more widely known as Ngân 98. The charge: “Producing and trading counterfeit food products” under Article 193 of the Penal Code. As thuongtruong.vn and nguoiduatin.vn both confirm, Ngân 98 was suspected of operating ZuBu Trading and Service Company Limited and the ZuBu Shop business household, which allegedly traded products of unclear origin and labeled them as functional foods to turn a profit.
For those unfamiliar with the name, Ngân 98 is no stranger to the limelight. She has long been a notable figure on social media, known for her work as a DJ, model, and livestreamer. Her online persona is bold, flamboyant, and often controversial—qualities that have earned her a devoted following and, at times, criticism. Yet, nothing in her digital history compared to the wave of attention that crashed over her name on October 13. The news of her prosecution and detention instantly became a focal point of public discussion, sending search volumes for her name soaring multiple times above the daily average, as thuongtruong.vn observed.
Google’s regional breakdown of the search data tells a story of nationwide fascination. In Ho Chi Minh City, the interest index hit the maximum score of 100, as reported by nguoiduatin.vn and thanhnien.vn. Other major cities and provinces followed closely: Bình Định (91), Hà Nội (75), Cần Thơ (65), and Hải Phòng (64). Meanwhile, thuongtruong.vn highlighted a slightly different regional ranking, with Cần Thơ leading at 100, followed by Ho Chi Minh City (99), Đà Nẵng (86), Bà Rịa – Vũng Tàu (85), and Phú Yên (81). Regardless of the exact order, the message was clear: the story had captured the attention of people from the north to the south of Vietnam, and especially in the southern and south-central provinces.
The timing of the search spike was no coincidence. As thanhnien.vn and nguoiduatin.vn both note, the surge in queries began immediately after the police’s official announcement. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., search interest remained at a high plateau, reflecting a sustained curiosity that went beyond a fleeting headline. The trending keywords list was dominated by variations on the arrest and prosecution, such as “Ngân 98 bị bắt 2025” (Ngân 98 arrested 2025), and even related topics like “ngân collagen,” “shark bình,” and “Lương Bằng Quang.”
But why did the news resonate so powerfully? One reason lies in the nature of the allegations. According to the police, Ngân 98 is accused of producing and selling counterfeit food products—a charge that carries serious legal and health implications. The products in question, sold under the ZuBu brand, were suspected of being of unclear origin and falsely labeled as functional foods. As thuongtruong.vn pointed out, some of Ngân 98’s weight-loss products had previously gained popularity on social media, but there were swirling rumors of banned substances being involved. This added yet another layer of controversy to an already sensational case.
For a public figure whose fame was built on a carefully curated online image, the sudden turn of events was jarring. Before the prosecution announcement, Ngân 98’s social media presence was marked by glamorous photoshoots, energetic DJ sets, and frequent livestreams. Her followers—numbering in the hundreds of thousands—were accustomed to seeing her as a trendsetter, not a defendant. The disconnect between her celebrity persona and the criminal charges made the story all the more compelling, fueling speculation and debate across forums, comment sections, and even offline conversations.
Media outlets were quick to analyze the broader implications of the case. As thanhnien.vn explained, the incident was not just about one individual’s legal troubles, but also about the growing public concern over counterfeit and unsafe food products in Vietnam’s booming wellness and beauty market. The fact that a well-known influencer could allegedly be involved in such practices raised uncomfortable questions about the regulation of online commerce and the responsibilities of celebrities who endorse or sell products to their fans.
The police, for their part, have remained firm in their stance. According to the official statement, “Võ Thị Ngọc Ngân is accused of producing and trading counterfeit food products under Article 193 of the Penal Code.” The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further charges or additional suspects. Meanwhile, the ZuBu Trading and Service Company Limited and ZuBu Shop, the businesses linked to Ngân 98, are under scrutiny for allegedly profiting from products with unclear origins and misleading labels.
As the story continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the case of Ngân 98 has become a watershed moment in Vietnam’s ongoing struggle with counterfeit goods and the influence of social media personalities. The unprecedented search interest, as documented by Google Trends and reported by several news outlets, is a testament to the public’s deep concern—and, perhaps, a warning sign for others in the industry.
With the investigation still in progress and the public’s attention unwavering, the fate of Ngân 98 remains uncertain. For now, her name is synonymous with a cautionary tale about fame, commerce, and the ever-watchful eye of the internet.