A café in Da Nang City, central Vietnam after it was vandalized by a foreign national. Photo: Phuong Giang
From a foreign visitor climbing onto the roof of a car, stomping on it and breaking a windshield wiper on Hoang Ke Viem Street, to a shirtless man vandalizing a café in Da Nang, the incidents cannot simply be dismissed as cases of drunken behavior or a loss of self-control.
At the heart of the issue is a misguided mindset and the mistaken belief that Vietnamese authorities will be lenient toward foreign nationals in order to preserve the country’s image as a friendly and welcoming destination.
Vietnam’s culture of hospitality, and in some cases a tendency among local people to avoid confrontation with foreign visitors, has unintentionally fostered excessive behavior among some foreigners.
This can contribute to situations in which foreign nationals show disregard for the law, disturb public order, drive recklessly, or even use prohibited substances.
Vietnamese people have a long tradition of hospitality, but that should not come at the expense of public peace and the rule of law.
Both attitudes and approaches need to change to ensure more effective measures against foreign visitors who behave excessively and flout the law.
Authorities should strictly enforce Vietnamese law against foreign nationals who commit violations while staying in the country.
In addition to administrative penalties and compensation for damages, stronger measures such as imprisonment, deportation, and permanent entry bans should be considered for those who commit more serious offenses, including property destruction, assaulting law enforcement officers, or testing positive for drug use.
Vietnam is a safe and welcoming destination, but that hospitality should be reserved for visitors who respect the country’s laws and cultural norms.
Upholding the rule of law must remain a fundamental principle, and firm action against any foreign visitor who violates Vietnamese law would also demonstrate the country’s determination to maintain order and legal integrity.
At the same time, greater attention should be paid to strengthening accountability among businesses and organizations that serve tourists.
Vietnam’s digital residence management system should be utilized more effectively to monitor changes in temporary residence status.
Authorities should also impose strict penalties on accommodation providers, bars, and motorcycle rental businesses that knowingly facilitate or tolerate unlawful behavior by foreign visitors.
* The piece was written by screenwriter Ta Tu Vu, originally published in Vietnamese, and translated and edited by Tuoi Tre News.
