Internet lashes out at 'shameful' Indian couple for stealing from Vietnam vendor

A video showing a couple stealing items from a roadside vendor in Vietnam has gone viral across social media platforms, including Reddit and X. The couple, identified by X users as Indians, were caught on camera while pretending to shop. The now-viral video shows a woman shopkeeper turning away to fetch clothes for the couple, when the man discreetly picks up an item from the ground and passes it to his wife, who is seen holding a child.
She immediately hides the item before turning around, while the man continues browsing. Moments later, the woman herself takes another object from the vendor's display. India Today, however, couldn't verify the authenticity of the video. Watch the video here: The CCTV footage, which was posted by several Vietnamese accounts online as well, has triggered widespread outrage, with many users condemning the act as both dishonest and damaging to India's image abroad. One user wrote, "I am done seeing people spend fortunes on fancy hotels, but they remember that little trinket they picked up from a local artisan long after the trip is over." Others were far more direct, slamming it as a matter of national shame as they lashed out at the couple: "Believe me, this feels like a national behavioural problem — people steal items worth Rs 500 as if it's an achievement."
"This is so shameful. If you can't afford to buy, then don't buy. How can they loot these street-side vendors? Will roam the world flashing riches yet stoop to petty theft that shames the nation," another user added. Several also warned that such behaviour contributes to growing resentment against Indian tourists worldwide. "Most Indians do such things abroad, and then they cry racism," one comment read.