A disturbing incident involving a Korean tourist physically assaulting a Vietnamese woman at a self-service photo booth in Hanoi has gone viral on social media, prompting widespread public outrage and sparking debate about cultural respect, tourist behavior, and justice in Vietnam.
The altercation took place on the evening of July 11 at approximately 9 p.m., in one of Hanoi’s popular youth entertainment zones, where self-photo booths—compact studios that allow users to take printed or digital pictures—have become increasingly trendy among young locals and tourists alike.
According to the Vietnamese victim, who later shared her account via social media on July 16, she and her friend were using the booth legally and within their paid time slot when they were suddenly confronted by a Korean woman. The woman reportedly demanded they hurry up and vacate the booth, even though the Vietnamese pair still had time remaining.
Security camera footage from the booth later confirmed that the confrontation quickly escalated from verbal complaints to physical violence. The footage shows the Korean woman striking the victim’s arm and forcibly grabbing her hat, leading to a physical struggle where both women were seen pulling each other’s hair.
Despite efforts by onlookers, including companions of both women and booth staff, to defuse the situation, the fight continued for several minutes. At one point, the Vietnamese woman fell to the ground and was seen being kicked and repeatedly assaulted by the Korean tourist even after exiting the booth, further fueling anger online.
The Korean woman reportedly told local media that she had been intoxicated at the time and that the situation was resolved after she promised to compensate the victim with 60 million Vietnamese dong (approximately $2,300 USD). However, the victim contradicted this version in her social media statement, claiming she never received the agreed compensation. She also expressed disappointment at the lack of legal consequences or formal apologies, saying she felt revictimized by the lack of follow-through.
The video has since gone viral across multiple platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), with thousands of users condemning the aggressor’s behavior and calling for authorities to take stronger action against violent conduct by tourists. Many Vietnamese netizens also voiced concern over what they saw as a pattern of entitled behavior by some foreign visitors, urging stricter regulations and faster legal responses to such incidents.
Several Vietnamese news outlets have picked up the story, adding to its visibility and pressure on local law enforcement to investigate further. Public sentiment continues to grow as the video circulates, with hashtags related to the incident trending on Vietnamese social media, such as #JusticeForVietnameseWoman and #RespectLocalCulture.
Legal experts in Vietnam have weighed in, noting that while the country values tourism and seeks to maintain a welcoming environment, incidents involving assault or threats to public safety should not be overlooked, regardless of the perpetrator’s nationality. Vietnamese law allows for the prosecution of foreign nationals in criminal cases if the offense is committed on Vietnamese soil.
“This isn’t just about one individual being hurt,” said Nguyen Van Dung, a Hanoi-based attorney. “It’s about sending a message that violence is unacceptable, no matter who commits it. If the law is not enforced evenly, we risk undermining public trust.”
The incident comes amid a broader conversation about tourism etiquette and cultural sensitivity, particularly as Vietnam continues to attract an increasing number of foreign travelers in the post-pandemic era. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, South Korea was the second-largest source of international arrivals to Vietnam in 2023, accounting for nearly 3.6 million visitors.
As of now, there has been no official statement from the South Korean embassy in Hanoi regarding the altercation. However, calls are mounting for both Vietnamese and Korean authorities to investigate the incident and ensure appropriate follow-up.
