Vietnam Tipping Guides - How Much, Where & Who to Tip

In Japan, waiter tipping and other forms of service tipping are considered impolite. It means the customer underestimates the servicers or trying to bride them. In America, tipping in the restaurant is a compulsory custom, which values 10 - 15% of the total bill. Then in Vietnam, the gratuity custom will also carry some rules that every foreign tourist should give care.

In the country of Vietnam, the tip is an optional amount. But in each form of service, tipping is taken with different altitudes. In some cases, "tips" even imply negativity, but others are appreciated to receive gratuity. So, we are here to know when and where should we tip in the S - shaped country.

TIP IN RESTAURANTS

Food carts & Family - run Business

Most of the food cart owners, vendors or small family - run restaurants don’t take the tips as tipping is not a customary in Vietnam. They may feel awkward or even feel like they are not respected if you insist to give them gratuity. Though you mean well, you want to show your thanks to the food, the treat, or the lovely behave of the sellers, in the eyes of them, they would see the circumstance differently.

Moreover, this action can make you look pretty weird in the eyes of the locals around. To fit in, if you want to express your gratefulness, give them the enthusiastic and sincere compliment, like “your noodle is super” or “this is one terrific dish of you, you are an excellent chef,” etc. This would be the greatest “tip” to them.

A compliment on the food is the best way to thank the restaurant's owner

High - Class Restaurants

On the other hand, staffs in high - end restaurants expect gratuity from their customers. Normally, the tip is charged to the invoice (about 10%), but if you are still willing to give an extra because of the enthusiastic care and excellent service, leave your tip in the cover of the bill. 50,000 - 100,000 VND ($2 - 5) would be appropriate. This amount of money will then be split between the employees. If a particular individual impress you with his/her outstanding service, hand your tip directly to that person, about 20,000 - 50,000 VND.

La Terrasse Restaurant of the 5 - star Metropole Hotel in Hanoi

TIP IN HOTELS

At luxury hotels, tipping is welcome. Of course, when the staff deliver an execellent work, you can always give them a bonus. The amount is depend on your satisfaction and what you ask them to do. An extra of 20,000 VND to 50,000 VND (1 - 2 USD) is considered suitable to tip an outstanding staff.

If you are staying at a hostel or homestay, a feedback on the accommodation or a compliment about the hospitality is more valuable than the tip. Before check - out, you can tidy your room a little bit as these accommodations usually run entirely by the owner. They will be very appreciated.

If you room was clean perfectly, a small tip for the housekeeper would be appreciated

TIP IN SPA

At the high - standard spa, you don’t need to give extra since the fee already includes the staff bonus. In addition, these masseuses are discouraged to ask the customers for the tip.

If you are using the service at a middle - class spa, then feel free to tip the staff if they offer you a satisfying treat. Most of the staffs come from the countryside or under middle - class families. To them, the tip is the main income as their wages aren’t much. Spa services in Vietnam is considered to be cheaper than other countries. So that, don't be hard - hearted if the masseuse openly ask you for a bonus.

You can tip directly to the staff that served you from 50,000 VND to 100,000 VND.

The fee for high - end spa services are expensive and already inlcluded the tip for staffs

TIP FOR TAXI & CYCLO DRIVER OR BOAT ROWER

Since the charge is on the kilometer clock, the taxi driver would base on it to count the money. Paying precisely the fee and give no extra is fine but if you are satisfied with the driver by the safe way he drives and help you with the luggage or the way he suggests you of where to visit in the area, then rounding off the bill would be the best tipping way. How much should we tip? One eternal question, the amount of tip shall base on your fondness.

The same as with the cyclo driver. A bonus from 20,000 - 50,000 VND ($1 - 2) for a helpful cyclo driver would be nice. But if the taxi or cyclo driver try to rip you off and being dishonest, give him nothing. More on Vietnam travel scams.

For those who take the boat ride in some famous destinations in Vietnam like Ninh Binh, the amount of 50,000 - 100,000 VND ($2 - 5)/rower for a long boat ride of 45 mintues to 1 hour is a reasonable gratuity. The boat rowers have to put a lot of effort to navigate the boat under the hot weather might deserve an extra for their hard work.

TIP FOR BARTENDER

A drink in bars of Vietnam charges high comparing to the coffee shops; yet, the staff and bartender payment is as the same as at those normal stores. A tip of around 15,000 - 30,000 VND to round off your bill is expected or you can just give him/her directly the same amount. Besides, a small tip may give you some privileges, such as being seated at a better spot or an exclusive drink from the bartender.

TIP FOR TOUR GUIDE

Among all the services, tourism is expected to be tipped highest. The tour guide’s job is to follow you all day long which means far away from home often. Moreover, he/she need to prepare an in - depth knowledge of culture, history as well as a good health, so they are worth a little amount of extra, don’t they?

At many tourism companies, in order not to disturb and create a care-free tour for tourists, they will include the tip in the tour fee, but if the guide is helpful, enthusiastic and informative, don’t begrudge a few dollars when tipping them. About 50,000 VND to 100,000 VND for one person/day is a reasonable rate. If the tour lasts for many days or comprises many tourists, you can tip for each one of them the same amount or celebrate them with a delicious feast on the last day of the tour.

To wrap up, tipping in Vietnam is not a compulsory. If you are sastisfied with the services, a little bit of an extra would be a nice treat. But if you are not satisfied with what you are provided, then leave without leaving any gratuity. Because, the bonus will not improve the service but make Vietnam tourism lag behind. Remember to tip wisely and only when you happy to do it. Wish these Vietnam tipping guides helpful for you and if you have any questions about Vietnam travel, we are always willing to help.

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