A video of Indian tourists sitting on the floor of a Vietnam airport and eating food spread around them has gone viral, drawing a sharp response from industrialist Harsh Goenka and a wave of criticism online.

Industrialist Harsh Goenka has questioned the behaviour of Indian tourists abroad after sharing a viral video that shows a group of travellers sitting on the floor of an airport in Vietnam and eating food spread around them.

Why the video drew attention

The clip shows the tourists seated on the airport floor with food laid out in front of them, in a space meant for passengers to walk through and wait for their flights. The video spread quickly on social media, where many users said the scene was embarrassing and showed little regard for public space.

Goenka shared the clip on X on 7 November 2026. In his post, he warned that turning airports into picnic spots and spreading food and litter could make Indian travellers unpopular in other countries. He asked when Indians would learn civic sense while travelling, a question that struck a chord with many users who replied to his post.

The video has since been widely shared and discussed, with the debate moving beyond the single incident to the wider question of how Indian tourists are seen abroad. Several users said such behaviour harms the image of all Indian travellers, even those who follow the rules.

What social media users said

Many users criticised the tourists in the video for disregarding public space and for leaving food and litter in a shared area. Some said airports are not places for group meals on the floor, and that travellers should use food courts and seating areas instead.

One user went further and suggested that authorities should identify such travellers and cancel their passports. The suggestion drew support from some users, while others said the punishment would be too harsh for the offence.

Others compared the scene with the strict littering rules in places such as Singapore, where dropping litter in public can lead to heavy fines. They said clearer rules and stricter enforcement in India could help change habits over time.

The discussion also touched on whether the problem is limited to a few travellers or reflects a wider habit. Several users said they had seen similar scenes at airports and railway stations in India, and argued that civic sense needs to be taught early and practised at home before it can be expected abroad.

A wider question about travelling abroad

Goenka's post has added to an ongoing conversation about how Indian tourists behave when they travel overseas. With more Indians travelling abroad every year, the way travellers act in public spaces has become a frequent topic of debate on social media.

Supporters of Goenka's view said his warning was timely and that travellers should be more mindful of local customs and rules. Critics of the tourists in the video said the incident was a reminder that small acts of carelessness can shape how an entire country is judged.

The video itself continues to circulate online, and the debate it started shows little sign of dying down.