In Vietnam, some passengers treat airports like their own homes, often lying on benches in waiting areas or using them to store luggage, creating discomfort for other travelers, including foreigners.
Observed misbehavior includes passengers napping by stretching out on benches, sometimes with their shirts pulled up, exposing their bellies, and ignoring others who are standing and in need of a seat.
Some people also pop pimples or pull out others' ingrown hairs.
Some foreigners have shrugged and shaken their heads in disbelief at this odd behavior, while others question whether it is unique to Vietnam or common in other parts of the world.
It is alarming that these sightings are becoming increasingly popular.
At a local airport at 11:00 pm one day, more than half of the benches were treated as beds, forcing many others to stand or sit on the ground. What an awkward situation!
At various stations, benches are now adorned with signs that read, "Please do not place your luggage on benches" and "Please do not lie on benches."
However, many passengers ignore the notes.
Currently, airport authorities have not utilized public address systems to remind passengers not to lie on benches or place luggage on them.
Although all airports are equipped with surveillance cameras, authorities are not using the footage to address these behaviors.
Even though this may seem like a minor issue, it should be addressed promptly to prevent it from creating a lasting impression of Vietnam's airport culture.
At Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia, benches are made concave to bar passengers from lying on them.
At Singapore Changi Airport, sockets are installed between seats.
Meanwhile, benches at airports in Vietnam are flat, unintentionally encouraging air passengers to have selfish behaviors.
* This article was originally written in Vietnamese by Nguyen Van My from Lua Viet Tours. Thanh Ha from Tuoi Tre News translated it into English.
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