A group of Indian tourists sparked controversy online after a video showed them performing the ‘garba’ dance on an airport runway in Vietnam, with many social media users saying this is not the place for such behaviour.The clip has gone viral across Instagram, Reddit, X and other platforms. The photo appears to show several passengers dancing in a circle near a parked VietJet Air plane. The display took place either shortly before boarding or after passengers disembarked.In the video, members of the group can be seen performing traditional Garba steps in an open section of the runway while other passengers stop nearby to watch.
Some passengers continued to walk through the area while the dance continued next to the plane.A section of social media users praised the band for celebrating Indian culture abroad, but others criticized the location chosen for the performance.
Airport runways are highly controlled operational areas where passenger movement is usually restricted due to safety and security concerns. Many users argued online that dancing near the plane in such an area is inappropriate and can create unnecessary risks.
The video sparked a discussion about travel etiquette and how tourists should behave in public spaces abroad.Many users said that such incidents contribute to negative stereotypes about Indian tourists abroad and stressed the importance of respecting local rules and maintaining common decorum while traveling internationally. Others defended the group, saying the dance was harmless and cheerful.
Social media reactions:
- It’s just Stockholm Syndrome among Indians. When did doing garba become a crime? Stop justifying racist people
- Who will conduct the so-called cultural assessment? Aliens?
- Why should such things be done in foreign countries? Without visas, people who do not have the educational class travel abroad and, as a result, destroy the image of our country. Such things were unheard of not long ago.
- It’s funny that you guys are trying to differentiate yourself from each other, when you’re all the same.
- The current stereotype of Indian tourists abroad is that they are “noisy, make reels in groups, and create drama everywhere”. Videos like this only reinforce this stereotype.