Debate erupts after foreign tourist shares video of women doing yoga on Vietnam’s Mount Fansipan

The tourist recently shared a video on social media showcasing her experience atop Fansipan, which stands 3,143 meters (10,311 feet) above sea level in the northern city of Sa Pa. She captioned the video, “Visiting Fansipan for the unique view.”

In the footage, several women are seen performing yoga poses next to a 20-kg stainless steel pyramid engraved with the words “Fansipan 3,143 meters.” The video quickly went viral, drawing public criticism with many netizens condemning the women’s actions as harmful to Vietnam’s tourism image.

“Such poor awareness. Why do they have to do that?” one commenter wrote.

“As a Vietnamese, I feel ashamed. How could they dress so inappropriately and pose in public?” another remarked.

“I’ve practiced yoga at home since I was 20, never in public like that. Traditional yoga emphasizes deep breathing and requires a quiet environment,” another user commented.

However, some users questioned whether the tourist had obtained the women’s permission before filming them.

Located in Lao Cai Province, around 300 kilometers (186 miles) from Hanoi, Sa Pa is famous for its scenic mountains, terraced rice fields, and the vibrant Saturday night “love market,” which showcases the culture of local ethnic minorities. Fansipan is a favorite destination for Vietnamese trekkers.

This is not the first time yoga performances in public have caused controversy.

In May a group of women in northern Thai Binh Province faced backlash after filming a yoga session in the middle of a street.