‘Line jumping, fighting at airport’: Indian traveller says locals in Vietnam fed up with rude tourists

An Indian traveler has sparked an online controversy after he shared his observations on how Indian tourists were treated during a recent two-week trip to Vietnam. According to the Reddit post, many Vietnamese locals seemed impatient or dismissive toward Indian visitors — a reaction that the traveler believes may be related to unruly behavior by some Indian tourists.

The user claimed that hospitality varies greatly between foreigners from West and East Asian countries and Indian travellers, citing “differences in accent” and frustrated facial expressions from local staff at some places. While acknowledging that not all locals behave this way, the traveler noted that it became “pretty obvious” in multiple interactions.

The post then detailed several incidents in which Indian tourists allegedly caused public disturbance and violated basic travel etiquette. Some of the behaviors he observed included aggressive bargaining in markets, to the point where street vendors reportedly refused to sell goods; Chaos at a Vietnamese airport, as Indian passengers allegedly cut queues, broke line barriers, shouted and argued with officials as they rushed to catch flights.

Another example that left him disappointed was an encounter with a French tourist, who reportedly became frustrated after repeatedly losing his place in line due to the line being cut, and eventually shouted angrily; Disruptive behavior at an amusement park, including screaming parents and crying children, frightened nearby visitors, including a Korean family who asked the group to remain silent.

The traveler said they felt “honestly embarrassed”, adding that although India is a “beautiful country”, the lack of civic sense shown by some travelers “is considered audacity back home”.

The post sparked a discussion on responsible tourism, cultural sensitivity, and the increasing visibility of Indian travelers globally. Internet users argue that travel etiquette and behavior abroad are increasingly reflected in the image of the country.

“This is the most relatable and most painful thing I’ve read all week. It’s the absolute truth, which is why so many of us feel anxious when we travel in groups abroad. The worst part is the complete lack of self-awareness. People think that being ‘loud and proud’ means not considering everyone else. They leave their civic sense behind at the Delhi/Mumbai airport and then wonder why they are treated differently. It’s not a dare, it’s just an entitlement. You can’t blame the locals or other tourists for being rude,” one user commented. They feel bored. “We need to start criticizing this behavior at home, because this ‘Chalta Hai’ behavior has become very embarrassing for our international reputation.”

“I think this situation has suddenly worsened in the last 10 years. Before that, only a few Indians would spend their holidays abroad. Now that the cost of international air travel has come down significantly, people who think India is a superpower are also coming out to make a noise,” another user wrote.

A third user commented: “I had the same experience in Bangkok and Phuket. Indians can’t take no for an answer. Not surprisingly, Indians are not welcomed warmly anywhere.”