No smoking in Vietnam, no Indian signs seen: Indian tourists claim racism in Vietnam after being denied entry in viral video |
Traveling is a feeling that soothes the soul, and tourists often look forward to a peaceful vacation with family, friends or loved ones, but sometimes this experience also comes with some tragic events.A recent video from Vietnam has sparked a heated online debate on how Indian tourists are treated abroad, especially with regard to potential discrimination. The clip shows a group of Indian travelers claiming that they were refused entry to several restaurants simply because they are Indians, and it quickly went viral on social media.
No smoking, no Indians sign seen in Vietnam, Indian tourists claim racism in Vietnam after viral video, where they were refused entry (Photo: Image: viadaksh/Instagram)
Video shows Indian tourists facing discrimination in Vietnam
A viral video shared on Instagram by user @viadaksh shows two Indian men talking about their family’s travel experience in Vietnam. According to him, he was turned away from many restaurants and felt unwelcome at many places across the city.In the video, the first man says, “The restaurant also refused to allow girls to enter because we are Indians,” (“The restaurant refused to even allow women to enter because we are Indians.”)The second man adds that the problem was not limited to just one establishment. He claims that he saw signs and signals that Indians were being separated.He says, “There is not a single action of ours which has brought bad name to the country, yet they are hating us. We have come with family and the incident is about racism.”It is written outside the restaurant that Indians are not allowed.” Or “We haven’t done anything to bring shame to the country, yet they still hate us.” We have come with our families and this incident is about racism. It is written outside the restaurant, ‘Indians are not allowed.’The clip also shows a signboard that reads, “No Smoking, No Indians,” which has become the focus of online debate.
An appeal for awareness
The uploader also included a note in the video to clarify the intention behind sharing it. The caption reads, “Disclaimer: This video is for informational and awareness purposes only. It is meant to share a personal experience and does not endorse or promote hatred, negativity or bias towards any specific country or community. Travel is supposed to be about discovering new cultures and making memories, but sometimes reality hits hard.“She also mentioned the emotional impact of the experience, saying, “Imagine being on vacation with your family and being denied entry to a restaurant simply because of your nationality. While we love to celebrate how far India has come on the global stage, it’s important to talk about the casual racism and stereotyping that Indians still face when traveling abroad. We deserve basic respect, no matter where we go.”
Mixed reactions online
As soon as the video spread across platforms, it sparked a wave of reactions. Many users expressed anger and solidarity, calling the alleged treatment of Indian tourists unfair and emphasizing that no traveler should face discrimination in another country.One user commented, “Why don’t we focus on exploring and supporting our country, India? We also need to improve our basic manners and overall behaviour?”Recalling his trip to Vietnam, another user wrote, “While visiting Vietnam, I saw the behavior of Indians there. No surprise at this ban.”Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content shared on social media. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims nor endorses them, but the video has undeniably started an important conversation about how Indian travelers are treated and treated abroad.
