On 16/9, an anonymous South Korean tourist photographed a fellow traveler resting with both feet on a table and lying down in the Da Nang airport lounge while awaiting a late-night flight. The photo was subsequently shared on various online forums and reported by South Korean newspaper *The Chosun Daily* on 18/9.
"One group of South Korean tourists was sleeping with their feet up on the seats, while another had their feet on the table," the anonymous tourist said, adding that other international travelers in the lounge were also taken aback by the behavior. The photographer expressed embarrassment at being South Korean.
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The photo published by South Korean media. Photo: *The Chosun Daily* |
The photographer acknowledged that travelers can be tired, but emphasized the importance of maintaining basic courtesy in shared spaces. They urged fellow South Koreans to be respectful, especially in public areas.
The image quickly went viral, garnering hundreds of comments from South Korean netizens. Many voiced disappointment and called for greater awareness of appropriate behavior abroad.
"This behavior is unacceptable," one user commented. "Moral standards and social values are being increasingly disregarded. We need to re-educate our young people," another added.
This isn't the first incident involving South Korean tourists in Vietnam. Recently, there have been similar reports of inconsiderate behavior, such as littering and pushing in line at tourist attractions. In July, a South Korean tourist was involved in an altercation with a Vietnamese person at a photo booth due to a long wait.
Some online commentators suggest that with the rapid increase in South Korean tourists, the government and airlines should implement campaigns promoting responsible tourism.
Da Nang is a top destination for South Korean tourists. Last year, Vietnam welcomed approximately 4.6 million South Korean visitors, the largest number from any single country. In the first half of last year, Da Nang alone hosted around 820,000 South Korean tourists, representing 41% of its total international visitors.
Hoai Anh (*The Chosun Daily*, Bobaedream, Lawatalk)
