A Hanoi resident identified only as “H” photographed herself executing advanced yoga positions while wearing leggings near the stone wall by Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace on October 29. (Image from VN Express)
SEOUL, Nov. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – A Vietnamese tourist’s social media posts showing her performing yoga poses in form-fitting attire at a historic Seoul palace has ignited controversy in Vietnam over appropriate behavior at cultural heritage sites.
According to VN Express on November 5, a Hanoi resident identified only as “H” photographed herself executing advanced yoga positions while wearing leggings near the stone wall by Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace on October 29.
The photos and videos, posted on TikTok and other social media platforms on November 3, drew immediate criticism from Vietnamese users who called the behavior “disrespectful” and “inappropriate.”
“This palace is sacred to their country, just like the Hue Imperial Palace is to us,” one commenter wrote. “Her actions are shameful.”
Another critic noted, “While yoga is good for health, displaying one’s body this way in public is disrespectful and rude — especially at a sacred place that symbolizes Korean tourism.”
H defended her actions, arguing that she hadn’t violated any palace regulations and that security guards hadn’t warned her about her behavior. She maintained that the online criticism was excessive, adding, “Everyone has their preferences, and we should respect our differences.”
The incident comes amid ongoing debates in Vietnam about yoga practices in public spaces. Last month, controversy erupted when television news showed women in form-fitting attire performing yoga poses at the summit of Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak at 3,147 meters.
In a separate incident in May, 14 women in Thai Binh Province were each fined 150,000 dong (approximately 8,000 won) for illegal assembly and traffic obstruction after being caught photographing yoga poses in the middle of a road.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
