Indian Podcaster Criticises Behaviour of North Indian Tourists in Vietnam, Sparks Online Debate

Podcaster Ravi Handa’s observations about North Indian tourists’ behaviour abroad trigger a heated discussion on cultural sensitivity and stereotypes

January 6, 2025: Podcaster Ravi Handa recently stirred a debate on X (formerly Twitter) after sharing his reasons for celebrating New Year in Vietnam instead of Goa. In his post, Handa expressed frustration with the behaviour of certain North Indian tourists, describing their actions as disruptive, inconsiderate, and often disrespectful, both in Goa and abroad.

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Incidents Shared by Handa

Handa recounted several incidents from his trip to Vietnam, highlighting behaviours he found unacceptable:

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• A group of Indian passengers loudly chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” on a train after spotting fellow Indian travellers.
• Tourists were seen cutting queues at popular attractions, with one person justifying it by claiming they had a “special pass.”
• He observed multiple instances of loud conversations and queue-jumping, all attributed to Indian tourists.

Handa wrote: “I went to Vietnam for the New Year break instead of Goa because too many North Indian tourists ruin the experience. Even in Vietnam, the only bad behaviour I witnessed was from North Indian tourists.”

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Online Backlash and Support

The post quickly went viral, drawing polarised reactions. While some agreed with Handa’s observations, others accused him of stereotyping North Indians and fuelling regional divides.

One user countered: “Stereotyping North Indians will only deepen regional divides. This North vs South narrative prevents societal progress.”

Another commented: “I’ve seen similar behavior from Indian tourists in Europe—loud, disruptive, and oblivious to how others perceive them.”

However, others supported Handa’s perspective:
“Absolutely right, Handa Ji. The behaviour of some tourists is embarrassing. Queue-jumping, loud chatter, and disregard for others create a negative impression abroad.”

A Broader Discussion on Cultural Sensitivity

Handa’s post has sparked a larger conversation about responsible tourism, cultural respect, and behavioral etiquette while traveling abroad. Many users emphasised the importance of self-awareness among tourists and the need for better education on travel etiquette.

As the debate continues online, it raises critical questions about how tourists represent their culture on international platforms and the collective responsibility to foster respectful travel habits.

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Tags:
North Indian Tourists Debate, Ravi Handa Vietnam Trip, Tourism Behaviour Controversy, Travel Etiquette Debate, Indian Tourists Abroad, Cultural Sensitivity, Queue-Jumping Incident