A group of Indian tourists has sparked debate online after a video showed them performing Garba on an airport tarmac in Vietnam, with many social media users saying it was not the place for such behaviour.The clip has gone viral across Instagram, Reddit, X and other platforms. It appears to show several travellers dancing in a circle near a parked VietJet Air aircraft. The performance took place either shortly before boarding or after passengers had disembarked.In the video, members of the group can be seen performing traditional Garba steps in an open section of the tarmac while other passengers nearby stop to watch.
Some travellers continued walking through the area as the dance carried on beside the aircraft.A section of social media users praised the group for celebrating Indian culture abroad, but others criticised the location chosen for the performance.
Airport tarmacs are considered highly controlled operational areas where passenger movement is usually restricted because of safety and security concerns. Several users online argued that dancing near an aircraft in such a zone was inappropriate and could create unnecessary risks.
The video triggered a discussion around travel etiquette and how tourists behave in public spaces overseas.Many users said incidents like these contribute to negative stereotypes about Indian tourists abroad and stressed the importance of respecting local rules and maintaining public decorum while travelling internationally. Others defended the group, saying the dance was harmless and joyful.
Social media reactions:
- It’s just Stockholm syndrome in Indians. When did doing Garba became a crime. Stop justifying racism people
- Who is going to conduct this so-called cultural assessment? Foreigners?
- Why do such things need to be done in foreign countries? Without visas, people without class get to travel abroad and, as a consequence, damage our country’s image. Such things were not heard of not long ago.
- It’s funny you guys try to differentiate from each other, when you are all the same.
- The existing stereotype of Indian tourists abroad is already that they are “loud, make Reels in groups, and create drama everywhere.” Videos like this only serve to reinforce that stereotype.
