Readers divided over loud talk in public in Vietnam

Many readers agree that loud conversations in shared spaces like hospitals, schools, buses, parks, and cafés are inconsiderate.

Hoang Thanh Binh said the article accurately reflected a troubling habit where people talk on the phone without regard for those around them.

Gia Linh, another reader, recalled a recent bus ride where a woman loudly shared stories about her home life and her child’s school.

"She was so loud that I wanted to ask which school her kid goes to. Honestly, it made me want to vanish into thin air," Gia Linh wrote.

Thuan An joked: “Sometimes I wonder if these ‘amateur actors’ are rehearsing for a street play. I once sat near a guy discussing business like he was preaching.”

Not all readers condemned the behavior.

Dong Dao suggested some loud talkers may simply be unaware of their volume.

“It’s like when someone whispers in a movie theater but everyone hears it clearly. Maybe we should give them volume-control speakers so they can realize how loud they are.”

Nam elaborated that hearing-impaired individuals often speak louder and prefer others do the same. He also argued that other public behaviors like spitting, nose-blowing, or smoking near others are equally or more offensive than loud talking.

Dan Vu offered a generational perspective. “People born in the 1950s or 60s often speak loudly. They grew up in wide-open spaces such as farms, hills, coastlines, construction sites, even battlefields, where shouting was just normal.”

Meanwhile, another reader Minh questioned the context: “What public space are we talking about? In parks, bus stations, beer halls, or cafés with music, it’s unrealistic to expect whispering. If you want real peace and quiet, stay home and close the door.”

Other readers pointed out broader issues of impolite public behavior.

A Gmail user described life in a Vietnamese apartment building, where residents routinely slam their doors. “When I lived in Singapore, I never heard my neighbors come or go. But here, you know the exact time they leave or return.”

Le Tien Sinh shared that what bothers him most is people watching TikTok videos in public without headphones.

"That weird, obnoxious laugh from a certain clip. I've heard it in eateries, hospitals, everywhere. Why not use earphones or turn the volume down?"