Vietnamese social media users criticize Indian tourist over alleged taxi fare evasion

The footage, reportedly recorded on October 15, shows the passenger arriving at his destination and moving toward the car door without first asking how much the ride cost.

The driver then called him back and reminded him of the fare. The passenger repeatedly waved his hand and said, “No, no,” before handing over a VND5,000 ($0.2) note that he appeared to have prepared in advance.

The video has prompted criticism from social media users, some of whom interpreted the passenger’s actions as an attempt to avoid paying the full fare.

Some commenters called for authorities to take action against similar incidents involving foreign tourists, particularly Indian nationals, to prevent further cases.

The incident has also reignited debate over how Vietnamese people should respond when passengers refuse to pay for rides.

Many social media users said Vietnamese people are known for their hospitality and willingness to help visitors, but warned that such kindness should not be mistaken for an acceptance of inappropriate behavior.

They stressed that local drivers work hard to earn a living and deserve to be treated with respect.

“If you can afford international airfare, luxury accommodations and a vacation abroad, you can afford to pay a few dollars for your taxi ride,” one commenter wrote.

Others urged drivers to take a firmer approach, with some suggesting that they lock the car doors and take passengers who refuse to pay to the nearest police station.

One commenter even called for a separate notice asking Indian tourists to pay their fares in advance.

The controversy comes after another incident involving an Indian tourist went viral in early August, when dashcam footage appeared to show a passenger leaving a taxi in Vietnam without paying.

In that case, the man later posted an apology video, saying he had never intended to deceive anyone and attributing the incident to a language barrier and misunderstanding. He also described Vietnam as his second home.

The driver said the fare was relatively small and that he had chosen not to pursue the matter further.