Why can tourists wearing such caps in Vietnam face arrest and a fine of $3,000? (6 photos)

Recently, cases have been increasingly recorded in Vietnam when a seemingly innocent piece of clothing causes not only bewilderment, but also an official reaction from the authorities: from arrests and large fines to a complete ban on entry into the country.





Why can an ordinary headdress cause such a sharp rejection? And how can tourists avoid getting into trouble without even knowing it?

Why do ordinary caps cause such a stir in Vietnam?



In fact, we are not talking about regular caps, but about caps that have inscriptions like "Vietnam War Veteran" or "Korean Hero of the Vietnam War".

Such caps are often decorated with symbols of army units, flags, medals and other elements emphasizing the owner's participation in military operations in Vietnam in the period 1955-1975





And (what is noteworthy) such caps are sold in many tourist shops in many countries, and you can easily buy them without even suspecting that wearing them in Vietnam can seriously harm you.

For the wearers themselves, especially from South Korea and the United States, such a cap can be a symbol of pride and memory of service. However, for the Vietnamese, it is not just a piece of clothing - it is a reminder of a difficult and painful historical past associated with foreign intervention and civilian casualties.

Risks: from fines and arrests to deportation



A Vietnamese travel agency recently warned foreigners about the real consequences of wearing such hats with symbols related to the Vietnam War:

One of the tourists who arrived in Vietnam wearing a cap with an inscription about the war was immediately turned away at the airport and denied entry for 10 years.

Another case resulted in a brief arrest and a $3,000 fine for a group of tourists who were stopped by police on the street for wearing such paraphernalia.

The agency also said that wearing caps with pictures or inscriptions about the Vietnam War could provoke conflict with locals, especially in provincial areas where memories of the war are particularly acute. Because of this, the government will take a tough stance on tourists who wear such hats. Even if they do not have inscriptions about the Vietnam War, but have images or individual decorative elements indicating this.

Historical context: why it matters to Vietnam



In Vietnam, the war is seen as both a national tragedy and a struggle for independence from foreign powers. The involvement of South Korean troops sent to Vietnam at the request of the United States remains a particularly sensitive topic. More than 300,000 Korean soldiers served on the side of South Vietnam. According to Vietnamese data, some of them participated in war crimes. These events have not been forgotten, and society in the country still reacts sharply to any glorification of those who fought against them.

Comparison to other international conflicts



The character Kang Dae-ho (player #388) from the second season of Squid Game mentions that his father was a Vietnam War veteran in one episode. He also says that his father wanted him to "become a real man" and that's why he sent him to the Marines. The other characters respond that his father "must have been a decent man." This exchange infuriated Vietnamese viewers, who saw it as glorifying South Korean soldiers who fought in the Vietnam War, and the Vietnamese government even launched an official investigation into the second season of the popular Korean series.

Some users in Korean online communities, having learned about their compatriots being arrested, fined and deported en masse from Vietnam, sympathetically drew an analogy: “It’s like a Japanese tourist coming to Korea with a rising sun flag, a symbol of Japanese imperialism. I can understand the Vietnamese people, our compatriots should have brains. Such behavior would be perceived as an insult in many countries around the world,” wrote one Korean user.

So for Vietnam, wearing a cap with military symbols is not just a sign of disrespect, but a direct reminder of a painful national trauma. And if you are going to vacation in Vietnam, respect the culture and history of the country you are visiting to avoid misunderstandings, fines, or even deportation. In the case of Vietnam, this is especially important. Symbols that may be perceived as pride and patriotism in your country may be perceived as provocation in another culture.