Musson suggests $2 to $5 is appropriate if you want to tip, but it is very much optional. For tour guides, again, service has to be included in the price of the tour. But if the guide has been Messages: 33. Reviews: 1. Joined Mar 16, 2021. Jan 7, 2022. #16. SkyBlue92 said: DON'T go to the M Beauty Salon. The place you wanna go is right next to it or on the same block called Eyelash & skin. Trust me, you're gonna look hella stupid going into M Beauty Salon. If you need a massage to unwind after your adventures in Ireland it is appropriate to leave a small tip to the therapist. Budget around 10-15% of the treatment price. That means that for a massage costing you 100 Euro , you might consider leaving a tip of 10 Euros if the service was average, or as you'd expect - or say thanks with a 15% tip In any country, the rule of thumb is to only tip when you're satisfied, and make sure you do it with a good attitude. Tipping in Vietnam as well as other countries is a way to pay respect and you're expected to show that explicitly and properly. Please find below how to tip in Vietnam: 1. Hotels: She started the massage by rubbing around my groin area (which I thought was an odd place to start). For the next twenty minutes she basically massaged all around my genitals, ocasionally doing legs, feet, etc, but always coming back to the groin. She never actually massaged my "johnson", but she got darn close. . Tipping in Vietnam is by no means mandatory or even, at times, expected. However, you’ll find absolutely outstanding service in Vietnam and tipping is a nice way to say “thanks”. Here’s your guide for how and how much to tip in Vietnam. What’s in our guide to tipping in Vietnam? This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see our disclaimer here. Tipping is still a relatively new concept in Vietnam’s growing economy. However, in major tourist destinations and the big cities, it is quickly becoming the norm. Service in Vietnam tends to be exceptional, and if you receive great service, a tip is highly appreciated and valued. This is partly because wages in Vietnam tend to be very low, even when compared with the low cost of living. A recent survey suggests that an average worker’s minimum monthly costs are VND million $280, which is more than their basic average salary of only VND million $198. This means many workers do overtime or don’t take days off. Leaving a tip, even as little as $1, can make a big difference in a service worker’s day. So if you want to be able to tip appropriately in Vietnam, read on for our guide to… Understanding Vietnamese Currency Shoe store on one of Hanoi’s 36 streets. The Vietnamese Dong VND can be confusing for tourists because there are just so many zeros involved. The exchange rate is around 23,000 VND to 1 USD. That means that a bottle of water will cost around 10,000 VND less than 50 cents, and an average meal costs around 50,000 VND $2. You will always need to pay in the local currency but we’ve heard that US dollars are being used as tips in some of the major centres. However, to show respect to the locals, please don’t throw around US dollars — stick with the local currency. Just make sure to keep your zeros straight, or you could end up leaving an insultingly low tip. Or you could do like I did at a spa in Hanoi and an accidentally tip 5 times as much as you meant to. Embarrassing and costly mistake. Who to Tip & How Much to Give Depending on the service, tipping etiquette can vary. Check out our tipping tips below for the most common range of tourist services. Tipping in Restaurants Tipping etiquette in Vietnamese restaurants really depends on the type of restaurant. Vietnamese food is usually made with fresh food bought from the market that morning. Each dish is supposed to balance the five flavours sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty, include five colours red, green, yellow, white, and black and should stimulate your five senses hearing, sight, smell, touch and taste. This complex foundation is what makes Vietnamese food so incredibly delicious. There are a huge range of restaurants and eateries in Vietnam, from basic street stalls to upscale restaurants. As a typical tourists, you’ll probably eat mostly in open-air family owned restaurants, or small tourist-oriented restaurants with air conditioning. We encourage you to branch out in both directions experience Vietnam’s incredible street food and also treat yourself to at least one fancy meal in a restaurant where locals go to splash out. Tipping etiquette in Vietnam varies depending on what type of restaurant you visit. High-end RestaurantsTip around 10% Upscale restaurants may add a 5–10% tip onto your bill automatically. Sadly, this money often just goes to the owners and the servers don’t see a penny of it. So, if you enjoyed your experience, tip your waiter or waitress about 10% of the total bill. Hand the money directly to the person you want to tip — don’t leave it on the table. Tourist-Oriented RestaurantsNo tip expected. Leave your change or tip 10% In mid-range restaurants and cafes, which are often family owned and operated, a tip is generally not expected. You will often be served by several different people and will pay your bill at a counter where the owner sits to collect the money. However, if you have a server who has gone the extra mile, handing a tip directly to them as you leave will always be appreciated. Make sure to thank them and compliment their service as you give them the tip, so they know why you’re handing them money. It’s also a nice touch to tell the owner or the person who collects your money if you loved the service, the food, or something else about the restaurant. Street FoodNo tip expected Vietnam is street food heaven, especially for adventurous omnivores! You can try most of the country’s most famous dishes on the street at local prices. Full meals can cost less than a dollar. Usually, you won’t tip for street food. If you try to tip, the vendor might even give the money back, thinking you made a mistake. However, if you really want to show your appreciation, pay an extra 10,000 or 20,000 VND and indicate that they should keep the change. Tipping in Vietnam in Hotels In high-end hotels only, tips vary depending on the service Hotels in Vietnam are usually spotless and very inexpensive. No matter what your budget, from backpacker to luxury, you can find great accommodation in Vietnam. Vietnamese hotels tend to be spotlessly clean and staffed by exceptionally helpful and friendly people. There is fierce competition among hotel owners in the country, so prices tend to be low and quality high. You can get a bed in a hostel for as little as $3 per night, or you can spend $300 per night for a luxury room at a resort. There is plenty in-between. We usually spend less than $20 per night in Vietnam for a private room in a family-owned hotel. Tipping is only expected in boutique and luxury hotels in Vietnam, though you should feel free to leave a tip anywhere you stay if the service has been great. Follow these guidelines for tipping in hotels in Vietnam. Porters. Tip around $1 for a porter who carries your bag to your room. Increase this amount if you’re staying in a very expensive If your room is kept spotless, leave around $1 per day at the end of your stay. You can leave the tip on a table in your room. Again, if your hotel is very expensive, increase this amount Hotel staff in Vietnam will go far out of their way to help you with any number of special requests. If you’ve received great service for an unusual request, feel free to tip a few dollars to the person who helped you. Tipping in Taxis No tips expected On the streets of Hanoi at sunset. Though tuk tuks are common in much of Southeast Asia, in Vietnam, you’re more likely to ride in cars or on motorbikes. In the cities especially, taxi scams used to be quite common, with drivers not using the meter and demanding outrageous fees for their services. However, these days, with the rise of taxi-hailing apps, these scammers have found themselves being pushed out of business. Still, in Vietnam, if we have to flag a taxi on the street, we try to get a VinaSun or MaiLinh taxi, which are the most reliable and can be trusted to use the meter. Usually, though, we use Grab to hail a car or a motorbike. Taxis and motorbikes are an extremely cheap way to get around — you can ride across Ho Chi Minh City on a Grab Bike for less than a dollar. Tipping is not expected, but make sure to carry small bills, so you can pay without the driver needing to scramble around for change or pretend he doesn’t have any. We usually round up to the nearest 10–20,000 VND, so the driver gets a small tip and can hang onto his change. Tipping Tour Guides in Vietnam 10–15% of the tour cost If you have a great tour in Vietnam, tip your guide. From short street food tours, to all-day bicycle tours, and multi-day adventures, there is an endless range of tours in Vietnam. Tours can help you gain a deeper understanding of the culture and take you to spots that you would never discover on your own. In general, tour guides in Vietnam receive low wages and rely on tips to round out their salary and help pay the bills. Being a tour guide is an “always on” job, too. Guides spend all day pouring their energy into the happiness of the group. Because of that, we encourage you to tip your guide! Depending on the length and cost of the tour, tip your guide 10–15%. If there is a driver in addition to the guide, you should also give him a 5–10%, as he will be earning far less than the guide. Hand the tip discreetly to each person individually at the end of your tour. Tipping in Vietnam at Spas & Salons 15% for good service In Vietnam, there are a wide range of spas to choose from. On the high end, you can get world class treatments in many styles. But we recommend you try and find a traditional Vietnamese massage, which is an experience you will never forget. I certainly will never forget the aggressive back and shoulders massage I got on my first Halong Bay cruise, or the acrobatic massage at a spa in Hanoi, which ended in a deeply embarrassing tipping fiasco. At high-end spas in expensive resorts, a gratuity is sometimes included in the bill. These tips are not necessarily passed on to the service workers, so it’s best to hand them a tip directly at the end of the treatment. Service providers in luxury spas are usually very good at what they do and sometimes speak perfect English as well. In an inexpensive Vietnamese spa, the women working usually come from poor homes, don’t speak English, and have limited opportunities. They get paid very little and rely on tips to help them survive. For any kind of spa, tip 15–20% of the total bill. Should You Tip Your Hairdresser in Vietnam? 10–15% or round up the bill I’ve had both the best and the worst haircuts in my life in Vietnam. In one salon in Hanoi, I’m sure the woman cutting may hair had never held a pair of scissors before. But then, there’s a salon in Ho Chi Minh City where the owner is a master cutter — and the cost is $5. There’s a barbershop in Ho Chi Minh City that Stephen swears by, and his haircuts there cost $ In our experience, hairdressers don’t usually expect a tip in Vietnam. However, when we go to our favourite Ho Chi Minh City salons, we make sure to tip 10–15% of the bill. Make sure you bring change, so you can hand the tip directly to the person who cut your hair. A Final Note About Tipping in Vietnam In Vietnam, the craft beer scene has taken off like a rocket. Vietnam is not a tipping culture, and you’ll rarely find a service-provider with their hand out waiting for a gratuity like you do in some other countries. However, the service culture in Vietnam is exceptional. People will bend over backwards to give you the best possible experience at their business. Most service industry workers are paid very little and the bosses get the majority of any money you pay for a service, so it’s always nice to tip when it is deserved. A dollar or two extra might seem like nothing to you but it can make a big difference for the person who receives it. We hope this guide to tipping in Vietnam is useful for you. We’ve spent a lot of time in the country and absolutely love it there. So if you have any questions, feel free to get in touch and we’ll try to help you out. Happy transformational travels, Jane & Stephen We’re not going to lie, it takes a LOT of work to create travel guides like this. But it’s easy to help us out! If you book or buy something using one of our personal links in this post, we’ll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you. Of course, we would never recommend anything we didn’t 100% believe in! Huge thanks in advance! –S&J Pin this post for your Vietnam trip. Share With Your Friends So, you’re heading to Vietnam, and you can’t wait to immerse yourself in its rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious cuisine. But as you plan your trip, you might be wondering about the local customs, particularly when it comes to tipping in Vietnam. Fear not, dear traveler! We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide that will help you navigate the sometimes-confusing world of tipping etiquette in this beautiful discuss the ins and outs of tipping in Vietnam, includingThe general attitude toward tipping in VietnamSituations where tipping is expected or appreciatedHow much to tip in various scenariosFrequently asked questions and some handy tipsSo, without further ado, let’s dive in!The Tipping Culture in VietnamA Cultural OverviewVietnam is a fascinating country with a unique blend of traditional values and modern influences. When it comes to tipping, it’s important to understand that it is not as deeply ingrained in the culture as it is in other countries like the United States. That being said, as Vietnam’s tourism industry has grown, so has the practice of tipping. Although it’s not always expected, it is becoming more common, especially in tourist-centric Matter of AppreciationWhile tipping in Vietnam is not strictly necessary, it’s a great way to show your appreciation for good service. If you’ve had a memorable experience or received exceptional service, offering a tip is a kind gesture that will undoubtedly be appreciated. Remember, a little bit goes a long way, and your generosity can make a real difference to someone’s and How Much to Tip in VietnamRestaurants and CafésIn most local eateries, tipping is not expected, but it’s always appreciated if you decide to leave a little something extra. For more upscale restaurants, a tip of 5-10% of the bill is a good guideline. If there’s a service charge included, you can decide whether or not to leave an additional tip based on the quality of the service you Food VendorsTipping street food vendors is not customary in Vietnam. However, if you feel inclined to tip due to excellent service or delicious food, rounding up the bill or leaving a small amount of change is a nice and RidesharesFor taxi and rideshare drivers, it’s common to round up the fare to the nearest VND 10,000 or VND 20,000. If you’ve had a particularly pleasant or helpful driver, feel free to tip a bit GuidesTipping tour guides is generally expected, especially on organized tours. A good rule of thumb is to tip VND 50,000-100,000 per person per day for the main guide and VND 25,000-50,000 per person per day for the driver or assistant StaffFor hotel staff, tipping is appreciated but not always expected. Consider tipping VND 10,000-20,000 for bellhops, housekeepers, and concierge staff if they’ve gone above and beyond to make your stay more it considered rude not to tip in Vietnam?As tipping is not deeply ingrained in the culture, it is generally not considered rude if you choose not to tip. However, if you’ve received exceptional Before continuing further on who and how much to tip, there is something you should keep in mind. Keep the change? Depending on where you’re eating, the tipping culture could be vastly different. If you were to order street food and tell the vendor to keep the change, there’s a high chance that they might insist you take it back – whether through humility or confusion at a perceived overpayment – even if it’s just ten thousand Vietnamese dong. Doing as the locals do is sound advice for any travellers, and you’re unlikely to see a local tipping a street food joint so don’t worry about it too much. If the food really was that delicious, order another one or leave a few thousand dong on the side and make your escape before they have the chance to thrust it back into your palm. Eating in restaurants or cafes is another story. It’s worth keeping in mind that the waiting staff in such places often work long hours with little breaks for less than $10 a day. If you order a snack and a coffee that comes to, for example, 230 thousand dong, then it’s common to simply leave behind the remaining 20 thousand change that you’re unlikely to miss, but which could help to make all the difference for a young waitress with a family or a university course. If you’re heading to an area for a prolonged amount of time, leaving a tip each time isn’t necessary but can see you rewarded with better service and preferential treatment as a regular. Naturally, the pricier the restaurant, the more you’ll be expected to tip. Once you start to hit the high hundreds with your bill, you can start to think about tipping 10% and up for good service, though make sure that service charge isn’t included in your bill already. Fair fares and the knead for tips In any big city in Vietnam, and certainly in the touristy areas in Hanoi, finding a taxi driver that will actually use the taxi meter can be a real pain. With that in mind, it’s worth rewarding the drivers who do, with a small tip. There’s no need to break the bank; if it comes to 91 thousand dong for example, give him 100 thousand dong and don’t expect the change. They’ll be grateful for it and it might convince them to continue earning an honest living and not quote $30 for a trip that’s virtually around the corner. As anyone who has visited Vietnam will know, massage shops can be found on virtually every corner, making for fierce competition between shops and price wars that can make it easily affordable for a tourist. Massages are personal and catered for the receiver and can be tiring work. Not only that, the competition means that more often than not the masseurs can wait around for hours without a single customer, only to receive a pittance of the massage fee once the house has taken their cut. Again, tipping isn’t expected but it’s more than appreciated, so you may want to consider tipping the masseur perhaps 50-100 thousand dong on a bill of 500 thousand dong, and giving it directly to them. It won’t break the bank, but it can make a person’s day. Sweet dreams and the guide price There aren’t many things worse than not double checking your booking and arriving at your hotel weary and jet-lagged, only to discover you’re on the fourth floor and there’s no elevator. Spare a thought for the poor bell boys and porters who’ll have to lug your luggage up there! These jobs, along with housekeeping jobs in a hotel, are quite often low paying with long hours and high standards, so a tip of 20 thousand dong per bag carried or per room cleaned can go a long way. Tour guides can be very hit and miss in Vietnam. Some can absolutely make a trip, while others may carry a vibe that they’d rather be anywhere else. The amount you tip should vary with the service and length of time the tour guide is with you. For great guides who have been with a group the whole day, it’s not unusual for them to be given upwards of 1 million dong – a large amount for someone who will only earn around 15 million dong per month. If you’re not happy with the service, there’s no obligation to tip but keep in mind that everyone has good and bad days, and the hours can be long and exhausting. Use your own judgement As the locals say, it really is “up to you”. There’s no expectation of tourists to tip but it will certainly be appreciated. It can be easy to pass through a town that you’ll never visit again without tipping, but good service and satisfaction should always be rewarded. Keep in mind the amount of money people in restaurants and hotels earn and think twice before scooping those coins out of the change tray. A tip of 20,000 for the bellboy who carries your luggage to room seems ok. In big hotels, that amount is expected to be double. When I go with my Vietnamese contacts, they tip all the time. They say everyone in HCMC expects a tip. They tip the taxi driver about 5,000 VND up. If they their fare is 12,000 VND, they give the 20,000 VND note. As I posted before, they bargained with the motorbike taxi from 20,000 VND to 15,000 VND and used that 5,000 VND they saved to tip. I asked why they didn’t pay 20,000 VND. They said “The rider will expect 25,000 VND”. They tip the people who deliver things to the house about 10,000 to 20,000 VND. If the person does some fixing, the tip is 50,000 VND up. The massage is a big tip. They tip the same amount with the massage price. If they go to the 3 US$ massage per hour, they tip 3 US$. They tip 10 US$ if they buy a 10 US$ massage package. In restaurant, they tip 10,000 VND to 20,000 VND. If they eat on the street, they don’t tip. Tipping for massage 3 years ago Anyone have an opinion on the appropriate amount to tip the masseuse for a one hour massage that charges 250,000 Dong? Thanks. Level Contributor 753 posts 2 reviews 1. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago In general Vietnamese do not tip. In contrast to Thailand where you often get angry looks when you don't tip, they do not ask for/demand tips. But if it is in a tourist area, western tourists might have 'spoilt' them, and they might have come to expect tips. Level Contributor 12,000 posts 254 reviews 189 helpful votes 2. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago Tipping is not part of the Vietnamese culture. Having said that the exception is where local Vietnamese will tip their hairdresser, manicurist and masseuse. I have no idea why those 3 professions get tipped by locals but they seem the only examples. For a 250,000 massage anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 seems to be the norm. Edited 3 years ago 3. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guideline limiting each user to a single forums screen are forum guidelines? Edited 3 years ago Level Contributor 2,067 posts 126 reviews 91 helpful votes 4. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago I have yet to get a massage in Vietnam, but I've noticed that a lot of the massage parlors in Ho Chi Minh City now have signs that state, "price includes tip." Level Contributor 4,406 posts 42 reviews 17 helpful votes 5. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago Whenever I have a massage in SEAsia, I always have a separate tip to give the therapist directly before she/he leaves the room. That way it assures the money will not go into management's pocket as likely to happen with 'tip included'. If the charge were 250K, I'd give 50K. 6. 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