Show kindness, obey the law, and you’ll always be welcome in Vietnam

In recent days, a series of incidents involving misconduct by certain foreign visitors have sparked public criticism and renewed discussion about respect, behavior, and responsibility while travelling in the country.

Kindness leads to good memories

On June 1, Naoki Okamura posted a video on his Instagram handle @naoki_jap, capturing his time with a family in Vietnam's Mekong Delta.

In the video, the Japanese man affectionately calls a local woman 'mom' and asks what is for lunch.

She replies with bun thit khia (caramelized braised pork with rice noodles), laughing as he playfully complains that he is hungry, as if he were her own son.

Okamura then joins the family in preparing the meal before sitting down to eat with them as a member of the household.

Like many foreign content creators who highlight local life in their videos and attract both Vietnamese and international audiences interested in Vietnam, Okamura’s video drew tens of thousands of views and more than a hundred comments.

One Vietnamese viewer asked him how he managed to get access to such local experience with the people.

“Be kind to others, then something good will follow," Okamura replied with a heart emoji. Another viewer responded simply: “It’s true.”

What Okamura experienced is widely reflected online, as many foreign creators have shared similar stories of being welcomed by Vietnamese people as family, invited to share meals, and helped when facing difficulties, often as part of everyday life.

Christian Weisenegger, a creator with 32,600 followers on Instagram, has consistently shown how he has blended into life in Vietnam.

In one video, viewers see him falling asleep in a hammock while uncles sing karaoke and aunties chat in the background. 

Another shows him sitting on a tiny plastic stool, preparing snails for a meal with locals in the Mekong Delta.

In an interview with Tuoi Tre News, the German creator said there have been many moments in Vietnam that deeply touched him, most of them rooted in simple human interactions.

Valerie Darling, a Russian creator with 107,000 Facebook followers, described Vietnam as “one big family.”

She unexpectedly stayed during the COVID-19 period, where she said she felt “very safe, supported, and protected.”

She shared that many of her experiences in Vietnam have left a strong impression, especially small acts of kindness from strangers, including a trip to Ha Giang when her group’s motorbike broke down in the rain and locals immediately stepped in to help until it was fixed.

After briefly returning to her home country, she moved back to Vietnam, now plans to stay long-term, and is studying Vietnamese through a university language program in hopes of building a future and deepening her connection with the country.

Such experiences are not only personal anecdotes but also reflect broader recognition of Vietnam’s hospitality.

In October 2025, Vietnam ranked 6th among the world’s friendliest countries in Condé Nast Traveller's Readers' Choice Awards, scoring 97.27.

According to Condé Nast Traveller, the rankings reflect how welcoming countries are to travellers and are based on readers’ responses across various categories, which are then combined into a single holistic percentage score.

The list also included Thailand, Seychelles, Mauritius, Chile, Cambodia, Bhutan, Mexico, and Barbados, with Kenya topping the ranking.

When reality challenges hospitality

But this image of Vietnam’s hospitality exists alongside another reality, where some incidents involving misconduct by foreign visitors have drawn public criticism.

In a recent case, police in Da Nang City, central Vietnam have indicted L.S.G., a 35-year-old Australian man, for causing public disorder after he damaged a coffee shop on Le Hong Phong Street in Hai Chau Ward on May 30.

Meanwhile, other foreign visitors have been spotted riding motorbikes without helmets in Da Nang and sitting shirtless in local restaurants.

In April, a viral video appeared to show a foreign man attacking a car driver following a traffic collision in Da Nang, prompting widespread public outrage.

Many viewers expressed anger over what they described as uncontrolled and aggressive behavior by the foreign individual involved in the incident.

Early this year, a video circulating widely on social media sparked controversy after showing a foreign man wrapping ripe bananas around his body in an apparent attempt to approach wild monkeys on Son Tra Peninsula in Da Nang.

A representative of the Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang Tourism Beaches Management Board warned that such behavior not only disrupted the monkeys’ natural survival habits but also posed potential risks of human–wildlife conflict, and could even lead to injuries from monkey attacks as they search for food.

Not only have local residents grown fed up with the misbehavior of some foreign tourists in Vietnam, but many foreigners living in the country have also voiced their concerns.

They warn that such behavior by a small number of individuals could damage Vietnam’s tourism, and overshadow the many foreigners who respect and appreciate the country.

Ultimately, cases of misconduct are handled in accordance with the law, regardless of who is involved or where they occur, as there is no exception when it comes to maintaining public order and respect for local norms.

At the same time, Vietnam continues to extend a warm welcome to international visitors who behave responsibly and with cultural sensitivity.

Those who show respect for the culture, behave in a polite and responsible way, and contribute their skills or knowledge are always appreciated.

In the end, mutual respect helps build better understanding between visitors and local communities, and creates a more positive experience for everyone.