Singapore Influencer Says India Gets ‘Too Much Bad Publicity Online’, Shares Her North India Experience
Singapore Influencer Says India Gets ‘Too Much Bad Publicity Online’, Shares Her North India Experience
Singaporean fitness influencer Tyen Rasif has gone viral after sharing her “honest experience” of travelling through North India. While acknowledging the chaos, dust and crowds, she said the country’s culture, history and hospitality left a far stronger impression on her.
Tyen Rasif has sparked discussion online after sharing a candid video about her experience travelling across North India, saying the country often receives “too much bad publicity online.”
In an Instagram reel posted on May 12, Tyen compared “The India I was warned about” with “The India I experienced,” documenting both the challenges and beauty she encountered during her journey.
The video began by showing the overwhelming side of travelling in India crowded roads, traffic noise, dust-filled streets and the constant sensory rush often experienced in busy urban centres. Tyen also acknowledged being stared at by locals and seeing litter in some public spaces.
She admitted that travellers looking for a quiet or highly relaxed holiday may initially find North India overwhelming.
However, the video later shifted focus to what she described as the country’s deeper beauty and cultural richness. Tyen showcased iconic landmarks including the Taj Mahal, Hawa Mahal and Qutub Minar.
“It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen,” she wrote in her caption. “There is history, culture, and story everywhere. I’ve never seen cities so vibrant and full of colour.”
One of the most talked-about parts of her post was her statement about safety. Despite negative online narratives surrounding travel in India, Tyen said she personally felt safer in India than in several developed cities she had visited before.
She credited much of her positive experience to the people she met during the trip, especially her travel agency and local guides. Tyen gave a special mention to her driver, Mr Vijay, and said the guides often acted like “bodyguards and photographers” throughout the journey.
The viral video received mixed reactions online. Many social media users appreciated her balanced perspective, saying she showed both the difficult and beautiful sides of travelling in India honestly.
Some users also commented that positive stories about India often receive less attention online compared to negative content. One user remarked that such videos rarely go viral despite offering a more balanced view of the country.
Tyen ultimately described the journey as eye-opening and said the warmth, culture and experiences outweighed the initial discomfort caused by crowds and chaos. She ended her post by saying she would “absolutely come back to explore more of India.”
