Tipping in Vietnam: All you need to know about tipping in Vietnam

24/02/2024

Is there tipping in Vietnam? Who and How much for tipping in Vietnam? Read to learn more about tipping in Vietnam 2024

Visiting Vietnam is an interesting experience that is filled with delicious local food, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes. As you explore Vietnam, you may encounter situations where tipping is expected. Understanding tipping etiquette in Vietnam can help you easily navigate these situations and show your thankfulness for excellent service. In this article, we bring to you some ideas about tipping in Vietnam.

Overview of Tipping in Vietnam

Is tipping mandatory in Vietnam? Tipping is not compulsory in Vietnam. Vietnamese people show friendliness and hospitality and provide good service without the requirement of additional payment. Therefore, don’t worry if you don’t want to spend any extra money on tipping like in some Western countries.

On the other hand, with the development of the tourism industry, more and more international tourists come to Vietnam. After using the service, they felt happy and tip for the local staff. So tipping has become more common due to the influence of Western culture and tourism. People working in tourism services sometimes expect the tip from you to increase their income. Some said that they are happy when receiving tips even if it was a very small amount because they saw your appreciation.

If you are satisfied with the service, you can smile, say thank you or give them a small tip. Another way to say thanks is to leave your good review with the staff name on the website you are booking their service. For example, if you book a tour or a cruise on an online website like TripAdvisor, then you come back to vote high star with the staff’s name, they might receive a small award from their boss.

How much to tip in Vietnam?

There is no policy or standard tipping in Vietnam. It depends on where and who you tip. Here's a simple suggestion you can consider:

Tipping For Tour Guide & Drivers

Your guide and driver should come first on the list. The driver is usually tipped half the amount of the guide.

Group of 2-4 people: USD 5 / traveller/day for the guide and USD 2.5 / traveller/day for the driver
Group of 5-10 people: USD 4 / traveller/day for the guide and USD 2 / traveller/day for the driver
For a long trip (10-15 days), you may reduce the amount of the group of 10 people and above to USD 3/traveller/ day for the guide and USD 1.5/traveller/ day for the driver.

Tipping in Restaurants

In most small local food stores and street food stalls, tipping is not expected or required. You can just buy some food and go. Prices for street food are usually set, and you should sometimes bargain. In more luxurious restaurants, the bill usually includes a service charge, so there's no need to leave extra money. However, if you receive exceptional service at a higher-end restaurant or from a hostess/waiter/waitress/bartender, leaving a small tip from 50,000 VND - 100,000 VND is appreciated.

Tipping for Taxis Drivers

Tipping taxi drivers is not customary in Vietnam. Simply pay the fare as displayed on the meter. if a taxi driver provides exceptional service or helps with big luggage, a small tip of $2-$10 can be given. If you hire a private driver or tour guide for a day, it's polite to tip them around 5-10 USD per day, depending on the level of service provided.

Tipping in Hotels

Hotel tipping in Vietnam is not mandatory, but it's a nice gesture to show appreciation for good service. You can leave a small tip for hotel staff who assist you with your luggage or provide exceptional service during your stay. A tip of 2-5 USD per day is sufficient.

Tipping for massage in Vietnam

If you use massage, spa treatments or salon services, tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. You can tip around 5-10% of the total bill for good service.

What currency For Tipping Vietnam?

Some wonder if should I tip in Vietnam dong, USD or our currency. In Vietnam, dollars and Vietnamese Dong (VND) are generally preferred. Vietnam dong is more popular as it's the local currency and avoids exchange rate fluctuations for the service provider. US Dollars (USD) might be accepted in some tourist areas, but the exchange rate might not be favourable for the recipient.

Overall, the amount of tipping, from $2 - $5 is more popular. You can leave cash privately on the table/room. If you prefer a more personal approach, you can hand the tip directly to the staff. This gesture not only ensures that the tip goes directly to the person who provided the service but also allows you to express your gratitude directly. One thing to keep in mind is that tipping on credit cards is uncommon in Vietnam, so it's essential to have cash readily available for tipping purposes.

This guide offers some basic advice on tipping customs in Vietnam. However, tipping is ultimately a personal decision, influenced by your satisfaction with the service and your comfort level. You're not obliged to tip if the service doesn't meet your expectations. Remember to consider your budget and tip an amount that feels right for you. Lastly, even a small token of gratitude is valued by the locals.