Some 15,000 screaming fans cheered South Korean pop star Rain during the first of his two shows in Vietnam on Saturday, billed as the most extravagant* pop concert ever staged in the country.

More than 1,000 bodyguards and security staff were on duty at Ho Chi Minh City’s Military Zone 7 stadium Saturday night to shield Rain from delirious* fans.

Amid “Rain fever,” many teenage admirers were left outside the stadium as tickets selling for as much as US$160 were snapped up*, with fans arriving from across Asia.

The concert, featuring pyrotechnics* and spectacular* sound and light effects, required more than 50 tons of equipment, local media reported.

The pop singer and hip-hop dancer, whose real name is Jung Ji-hoon, is on a six-month tour. Part of the proceeds* will be donated to World Vision’s project to help Asian children suffering from AIDS.

(SD-Agencies)