Vietnam KOL and the Challenges They Will Face with Short-Form Video and Production in 2025

As short-form video content continues to dominate social media platforms worldwide, Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in Vietnam are increasingly shifting their focus to platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. These bite-sized video formats allow influencers to reach vast audiences and create highly engaging content in a short period. However, despite the vast potential, Vietnam’s KOLs will face several challenges in 2025 when it comes to short-form video creation and production. This article explores the key challenges they will face and how they can overcome them to remain competitive in the fast-paced digital landscape.

1. Rising Competition in the Short-Form Video Space

Challenge:
The explosion of short-form video platforms has led to an influx of new content creators in Vietnam, resulting in an increasingly saturated market. As more KOLs and brands capitalize on the popularity of TikTok and Instagram , standing out from the crowd is becoming more difficult. In 2025, Vietnam’s KOLs will face intense competition to capture the attention of viewers and differentiate themselves from other creators.

How to Overcome It:
To overcome this challenge, KOLs in Vietnam need to find their niche. Specializing in a specific topic, whether it's beauty, travel, food, or local Vietnamese culture, will help KOLs connect with a dedicated audience. By building a strong personal brand, influencers can become more recognizable and establish trust with their viewers. Consistently producing authentic and high-quality content that resonates with their audience’s interests is key. Collaborating with other KOLs or brands can also provide fresh exposure and boost visibility, especially when targeting new audience segments.

2. Maintaining Creativity with Limited Timeframes

Challenge:
The best short video typically range from 15 to 60 seconds, requiring KOLs to deliver creative and engaging content within a very limited timeframe. In 2025, Vietnamese KOLs will face the challenge of maintaining creativity while working within these constraints. The pressure to capture the audience's attention immediately can make it difficult to convey messages or showcase products effectively.

How to Overcome It:
KOLs can tackle this challenge by focusing on storytelling. Even within a 30-second video, a well-crafted story can leave a lasting impact. The key is to hook the audience in the first few seconds and keep the content clear and focused on the main message. KOLs should experiment with various formats like tutorials, humor, behind-the-scenes content, or product unboxing to keep things fresh. Utilizing trending audio clips and challenges on platforms like TikTok will also help KOLs stay relevant and create content that resonates with their followers.

3. Adapting to Constant Algorithm Changes

Challenge:
Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram are known for frequently changing their algorithms. These algorithm updates can affect how KOLs' videos are ranked and discovered, making it challenging to maintain consistent visibility and engagement. Vietnamese KOLs will need to adapt quickly to these changes in 2025 to stay relevant and continue to grow their audience.

How to Overcome It:
To stay ahead of algorithm changes, KOLs should regularly monitor platform updates and adapt their content strategies accordingly. Utilizing features like hashtags, trending music, and interactive captions can help increase the chances of content being discovered. KOLs should also prioritize engagement by encouraging their followers to like, comment, and share their videos. Building a community around their content will create organic engagement, which can improve their content’s ranking within the platform’s algorithm. Additionally, cross-platform promotion can drive traffic from one platform to another, ensuring that KOLs don’t rely on a single source for exposure.

4. Balancing Commercial Partnerships and Authenticity

Challenge:
As Vietnam’s KOLs grow in popularity, many will be approached by brands for collaborations and sponsorships. However, maintaining authenticity while promoting products in short-form videos can be challenging, especially when the pressure to monetize content increases. Over-commercialization can lead to follower disengagement, so balancing brand deals with genuine content is crucial in 2025.

How to Overcome It:
Vietnamese KOLs should focus on working with brands that align with their personal values and interests. Authenticity is key to maintaining trust with followers, so product placements should feel natural and in line with the content the KOL typically produces. Transparency about paid promotions and sponsored content is essential to keep the audience informed. KOLs can also leverage user-generated content and feedback from their followers to create more interactive and personalized videos that resonate with their audience while incorporating brand collaborations.

5. Improving Video Production Quality on a Budget

Challenge:
While many KOLs in Vietnam are creating professional-grade short-form videos, others may struggle with limited resources, especially those just starting. High-quality production values—such as clear visuals, sound, and editing—are important for engaging content, but not all influencers have access to expensive equipment or production teams. In 2025, creating high-quality content on a budget will be a challenge for many.

How to Overcome It:
KOLs can improve video quality by investing in affordable equipment like ring lights, external microphones, and editing apps. Many smartphones now have excellent cameras capable of shooting high-quality videos, so mastering smartphone videography is crucial. Additionally, DIY video production techniques, such as using free or low-cost editing software and templates, can make a significant difference. Learning how to edit content effectively can improve the final output without the need for expensive equipment. Leveraging natural light and shooting in well-lit environments can also enhance video quality on a budget.

Conclusion

Vietnam’s KOLs are poised to continue shaping the short-form video landscape in 2025, but they will face several challenges, including rising competition, maintaining creativity, and adapting to evolving algorithms. By focusing on niche specialization, storytelling, authenticity, and creative solutions to production limitations, KOLs in Vietnam can overcome these obstacles and remain successful in the ever-changing digital world. Embracing innovation, staying informed about platform changes, and creating engaging, high-quality content will help Vietnamese influencers thrive in 2025 and beyond.