'I have money, don't worry!': Indian tourist's witty callback to viral taxi drama delights Hanoi driver

The tourist made the remark after seeing the driver, Tran Duc Hieu, 31, videotape him getting into the car and asking why he was doing so.

Hieu told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that he explained he was recording the interaction to post the clip on social media, prompting the tourist to make the joke.

By jokingly saying 'I have money, don't worry,' the tourist was referring to video footage widely shared on social media in August. In that viral video, another Indian visitor arrived at his destination in Da Nang, repeatedly said, 'I don't have any money,' thanked the taxi driver and left the taxi.

Hieu caught the reference immediately, and the two shared a laugh before chatting about the story for the rest of the ride.

The August footage sparked widespread discussion on Vietnamese and Indian social media, and the tourist later posted a video apologizing, saying that the incident had resulted from a language barrier and a misunderstanding rather than an attempt to avoid paying the fare. He added that he sees Vietnam as his second home.

Hieu said his Indian guest told him that the earlier video had also become extremely popular in India.

The tourist also chatted with Hieu about various topics during the ride.

At the end of the trip, the tourist asked for Hieu's Instagram account and jokingly said, 'Post it online, but don't make me famous.'

To Hieu's surprise, his video later attracted strong engagement on social media.

Hieu said he often records short videos showing interactions with passengers during his rides.

Hieu has previously appeared in a Tuoi Tre report after stopping his car to clear rocks and dirt that had fallen onto a road, helping prevent motorcyclists from slipping and falling.