No smoking, no Indian sign spotted in Vietnam: Indian tourists claim racism in Vietnam after viral video shows them denied entry

Travelling is one feeling that soothes the soul, and tourists often look forward to a peaceful getaway with family, friends, or loved ones, but sometimes this experience also comes with some hurtful episodes.


A recent video from Vietnam has ignited a heated online debate about how Indian tourists are treated abroad, especially concerning possible discrimination. The clip shows a group of Indian travellers claiming they were denied entry at several restaurants simply because they are Indian, and it has quickly gone viral on social media.

Video shows Indian tourists facing discrimination in Vietnam

A viral video shared on Instagram by user @viadaksh shows two Indian men narrating their family's travel experience in Vietnam. According to them, they were turned away from multiple restaurants and felt unwelcome at several places across the city.

In the video, the first man says, “Restaurant ne ladkiyon ko bhi aane se mana kar diya kyunki hum Indian hain,” (“The restaurant even stopped the women from entering because we are Indians.")

The second man adds that the problem was not confined to one establishment. He claims they saw signs and indications that Indians were being singled out.

He says, “Hamari ek bhi aisi koi harqat nahi hai jisse country ka naam kharab ho, still they are hating us. We have come with family and the incident is about racism.

Restaurants ke bahar likha hai Indians are not allowed.” or “We have not done anything that would bring shame to the country, yet they are still hating us. We have come with our family and this incident is about racism. Outside the restaurants, it is written ‘Indians are not allowed.’”

The clip also shows a signboard that reads, “No smoking, No Indian,” which has become a focal point of the online debate.

A plea for awareness

The uploader included a note in the video to clarify the intent behind sharing it. The caption read, “Disclaimer: This video is for informational and awareness purposes only. It is meant to share a personal experience and does not support or promote hate, negativity, or prejudice toward any specific country or community. Travel is supposed to be about exploring new cultures and making memories, but sometimes reality hits hard.”

He also mentioned the emotional impact of the experience, saying, “Imagine being on vacation with your family and being denied entry into a restaurant simply because of your nationality. While we love to celebrate how far India has come globally, it’s crucial to talk about the casual racism and stereotyping that Indians still face while traveling abroad. We deserve basic respect, no matter where we go.”

Mixed reactions online

As the video spread across platforms, it triggered a wave of reactions. Many users expressed anger and solidarity, calling the alleged treatment of Indian tourists unfair and stressing that no traveller should face discrimination in another country.

One user commented, “Why don’t we focus on exploring and supporting our own country, India? There’s also a need for us to improve our basic etiquette and overall behaviour?”

Another user, reflecting on their own trip to Vietnam, wrote, “Visiting Vietnam, I saw the behavior of Indians there. No wonder this restriction.”

Disclaimer: This report is based on user‑generated content shared on social media. The Times of India has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them, but the video has undeniably opened an important conversation about how Indian travellers are treated, and how they behave, abroad.