A Vietnamese woman visiting South Korea has sparked a wave of controversy after posting images of herself performing yoga poses in tight leggings at a historic site in Seoul. The photos, which show the woman doing a handstand in front of the Gyeongbok Palace, have led to widespread criticism on social media, with many deeming her actions disrespectful.
According to VN Express, the woman, a resident of Hanoi, traveled to South Korea on October 29. During her visit, she was filmed holding a yoga pose by the Gwanghwamun Gate, which marks the entrance to the Gyeongbok Palace—a significant cultural and historical landmark in South Korea. A TikTok video posted on Sunday showed the woman performing her yoga routine while other tourists passed by, some of whom appeared to gawk at her.
The photos quickly gained attention online, with many social media users condemning her actions as inappropriate and offensive. One user compared the palace to Vietnam’s Hue Imperial City, calling it a sacred site and labeling the woman’s behavior “disgraceful.” Hue Imperial City, once the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is regarded as a national treasure in Vietnam.
Another critic remarked, “While yoga is beneficial for health, displaying one’s body in such a manner in public is offensive and disrespectful. Moreover, the palace is a sacred site and an important symbol of South Korean tourism.” Some users also voiced concerns that the woman’s actions could tarnish the reputation of Vietnamese tourists abroad.
In response to the backlash, the woman defended herself, claiming that the criticism was exaggerated. She stated that she had not violated any local laws or regulations and had not been approached by palace security. “Everyone has their own preferences, and we should respect differences,” she remarked.
This incident is part of a broader debate over public yoga practices in Vietnam. Last month, a group of foreign tourists filmed women in leggings performing yoga on Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest mountain, sparking similar controversy. In May, a group of women was fined for disrupting traffic while filming a yoga session on a street in the northern province of Thai Binh.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the boundaries of public behavior and cultural sensitivity in both Vietnam and abroad.
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