From role model to defendant: The tragic fall of Quang Linh Vlogs

YouTube star Quang Linh, once beloved for his humanitarian work in Africa, now faces charges of fraud and producing counterfeit food.

Once a powerful source of inspiration for Vietnamese youth through his widely followed YouTube channel, Quang Linh Vlogs has now left millions of fans disappointed following his indictment and temporary detention in connection with the controversial promotion of Kera vegetable gummies.

From Angola to YouTube fame

Born in 1998 in Nghe An, Pham Quang Linh moved to Angola in 2016 as a labor export worker. During this time, he worked various jobs - including in a stone factory and construction sites.

It was in Angola that Quang Linh launched his YouTube channel Quang Linh Vlogs – Life in Africa, capturing the daily lives of Vietnamese laborers abroad and their interactions with local African communities.

In many videos, Quang Linh and his fellow Vietnamese workers were seen teaching locals how to grow wet rice and vegetables, or sharing traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques. These acts of kindness resonated with millions, turning him into a symbol of generosity and cultural exchange.

Beyond content creation, Quang Linh also initiated humanitarian projects such as building schools and homes, and drilling clean water wells for local residents. These contributions improved lives in Angola and helped promote the image of Vietnamese people to the world.

In recognition of his efforts, Quang Linh was recently elected as a member of the 10th Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (2024–2029), representing the overseas Vietnamese community in Angola.

A fallen idol


Beauty queen Thuy Tien, Hang Du Muc, and Quang Linh Vlogs during the Kera gummy promotional livestream. Screenshot

After years of building a reputation as a youth icon, Quang Linh is now facing criminal charges and the possibility of prison time.

The controversy began during a livestream in early 2025 where Quang Linh, alongside Hang Du Muc, promoted Kera vegetable gummies, a product of CER Group, where he was a board member.

In the livestream, Quang Linh claimed that "one gummy is equivalent to a plate of vegetables" - a statement that sparked widespread skepticism and was later deemed misleading.

In March, a TikTok user with over 590,000 followers sent the gummies for lab testing. The results, dated March 3, revealed that 100g of the product contained just 0.51g of fiber, equivalent to about one-sixth of a banana. Since a box contains 96g across 32 pieces, each gummy contained only 16mg of fiber.

This revelation ignited media and public outrage. Nutritionists soon weighed in, calling the health claims dangerously inaccurate.

On March 6, Vietnam’s Food Safety Authority (under the Ministry of Health) confirmed that the product showed "signs of violating advertising regulations" and ordered an immediate inspection.

By March 13, the Dak Lak Department of Health confirmed that the Kera gummies failed to meet their advertised fiber content.

For their misleading claims, Quang Linh and Hang Du Muc were each fined VND 70 million (approx. USD 2,850) by the Department of Broadcasting and Electronic Information and ordered to issue public corrections.

On March 24, the Ho Chi Minh City Food Safety Authority fined CER Group - the company behind Kera gummies - VND 125 million (approx. USD 5,090) for two violations and ordered a full product recall.

But the administrative penalties were only the beginning. Authorities soon expanded the investigation and uncovered more serious legal breaches.

On April 4, the Ministry of Public Security announced the indictment and arrest of five individuals, including Quang Linh Vlogs, for their roles in the fraudulent marketing and production of counterfeit food. Investigators cited violations related to fake food production and consumer fraud.

With that, the dazzling light that once shone around Quang Linh has dimmed. He has lost not only a promising career but also the trust and admiration once held by millions.
VietBF@ Sưu tập