Foreign Tourists Threatened on Vietnam’s Nha Trang Beach, Video Sparks Outrage

A viral confrontation involving a shovel and plastic chair raises fresh concerns over tourist safety at one of Southeast Asia’s most visited beach destinations.

A disturbing incident on Nha Trang has triggered public backlash after a video showed foreign tourists being threatened by local men armed with a shovel and a plastic chair on a public beach—an episode that authorities say they are now investigating urgently.

The more-than-one-minute clip, widely shared on Facebook, captures a heated argument at a seaside park along Nha Trang Beach, a flagship tourism hub in Khanh Hoa Province. According to the footage, two foreign tourists were standing near a pedestrian walkway when a verbal dispute with a group of Vietnamese youths escalated into intimidation.

As tensions rose, one man ran toward the tourists holding a shovel, lifting it above his head in a threatening gesture. Moments later, another individual approached carrying a white plastic chair, appearing to prepare for further confrontation. Alarmed bystanders filmed the scene as the tourists backed away, and the video quickly went viral.

The Nha Trang Ward People’s Committee confirmed it has instructed local police to verify and clarify the incident, emphasizing that the case will be handled strictly in accordance with the law. Officials said they take the matter seriously, particularly given the potential impact on public order and the city’s international image.

Online reaction has been swift and critical. Many users condemned the aggressive behavior as unlawful and unacceptable, warning that such incidents could damage Nha Trang’s reputation as a safe, welcoming destination for international visitors—especially at a time when Vietnam is positioning tourism as a key driver of post-pandemic growth.

Nha Trang is one of Vietnam’s most popular beach cities, attracting millions of foreign tourists each year with its long coastline, resorts, and nightlife. Industry observers note that isolated incidents can quickly gain global visibility in the age of social media, amplifying reputational risk far beyond the location itself.

As authorities move to investigate and respond, the broader question for Vietnam’s tourism sector is how effectively local enforcement and community awareness can prevent isolated confrontations from undermining hard-won confidence among international travelers.