Tipping in Vietnam

This guide covers when and how much to tip in various settings, from restaurants and bars to hotels, taxis, and more. Follow our tips to show your appreciation for good service like a local.

• Tipping in Restaurants, Cafés, and Bars
• Tipping for Taxis and Ride-Hailing
• Tipping in Hotels
• Tipping for Tour Guides and Drivers
• Tipping in Spas and Hairdressers
• Tipping in Vietnam at a Glance
• How to Calculate a Tip in Vietnam Easily

Tipping in Restaurants, Cafés, and Bars

Restaurants
Tipping at local eateries is not expected. At mid-range and upscale venues, leaving a tip of 5–10% is appreciated for good service. Some restaurants may include a service charge (typically 5–10%), but it’s worth checking if this goes directly to staff [1][2].

Cafés
Tipping is generally uncommon. Rounding up the bill or leaving small change is a polite gesture for good service.

Bars
Tipping is not standard, but appreciated in tourist-oriented or high-end bars. A 5–10% gratuity or small cash tip is appropriate in those cases.

Tipping for Taxis and Ride-Hailing

Taxis
Tipping is not customary. However, rounding up the fare to the nearest convenient amount is a common courtesy.

Ride-Hailing Services
Apps like Grab or Gojek allow optional tipping. You can round up your fare or tip through the app as a gesture of appreciation [2].

Tipping in Hotels

Bellhops and Porters
Offer 10,000–20,000 VND per bag, especially at higher-end hotels.

Housekeeping
Tipping 20,000–50,000 VND per night is a thoughtful way to thank staff, particularly for longer stays.

Concierge
Tips are not expected but may be given for exceptional service, such as securing bookings or providing extra assistance.

Tipping for Tour Guides and Drivers

Tour Guides
For private or full-day tours, tipping 10–15% of the tour cost is customary. On group tours, 50,000–100,000 VND per person is appropriate.

Drivers
For full-day private drivers, consider tipping 50,000–100,000 VND. For short trips, rounding up is sufficient [3].

Tipping in Spas and Hairdressers

Massage Therapists
A tip of 10–20% of the service price is recommended and should be given directly in cash.

Hairdressers
Tipping is not standard among locals, but 5–10% is a kind gesture for great service, especially in urban salons.

Tipping in Vietnam at a Glance

How to Calculate a Tip in Vietnam Easily

If a service charge is not included, a good rule of thumb in Vietnam is to tip 5–10% for restaurants, spas, and other service-based interactions.

To quickly calculate a 5% tip, multiply the bill by 0.05.
For a 10% tip, move the decimal one place to the left. For example, a 500,000 VND bill would result in a 50,000 VND tip.

Here’s a simple table to help you calculate tip amounts on common bills in Vietnam:

Final Notes on Tipping in Vietnam

• Carry small denominations of VND to make tipping easier, particularly in places where card payments are not accepted.
• Always tip in Vietnamese Dong (VND); U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies are not typically accepted for small transactions.
• Check your bill to see if a service charge is already included, especially in upscale restaurants or hotels.
• Tip based on the quality of service—5% for acceptable service, 10% or more for excellent experiences.

References

1. Lonely Planet. (2024). Vietnam tipping and etiquette. Retrieved from https://www.lonelyplanet.com/vietnam
2. Rough Guides. (2024). Tips and advice for travelers in Vietnam. Retrieved from https://www.roughguides.com/vietnam/
3. Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board. (2023). Vietnam travel etiquette. Retrieved from https://vietnam.travel/