What Tips Should You Give in Vietnam?

The question of tipping in Vietnam often comes up, especially among travelers used to leaving a few extra euros on the bill. Here, tipping is not mandatory, and it’s not deeply rooted in the culture like it is in the United States. However, in some industries, it’s becoming more common, particularly in tourist areas.

So, should you leave a tip? If so, when and how much? Rather than following strict rules, it’s better to understand local customs to avoid making a faux pas… or getting taken advantage of. Here’s what you need to know before reaching for your wallet.

Tipping in Vietnam: A Custom Not Yet Fully Established

Contrary to what you might think, tipping is not a standard practice in Vietnam. In everyday life, around 70% of Vietnamese people rarely leave a tip, whether at restaurants, hair salons, or in taxis.

That said, things are changing with the rise of tourism. In areas heavily frequented by foreigners, tipping expectations are higher, especially in hotels, upscale restaurants, and among tour guides. However, in a small street food stall or a local café, leaving a tip can be just as surprising as it is appreciated.

When Should You Leave a Tip in Vietnam?

There are no strict rules, but some professions are more likely to expect a tip than others.

• Restaurants and cafés: In local restaurants, tipping is not expected, but in more touristy establishments, rounding up the bill or leaving 10,000 – 50,000 VND (about €0.50 to €2) is a nice gesture if the service is good.

• Taxis and Grab drivers: Not mandatory, but if the driver is friendly, helps with luggage, or avoids unnecessary detours, leaving 10,000 – 20,000 VND is always appreciated. Personally, I’ve completely stopped using taxis. I only tip Grab drivers because their wages are relatively low.

• Tour guides and private drivers: Here, tipping is expected. For a guide who does a great job, plan to give 100,000 to 300,000 VND per day (€4 to €12), and a bit less for a driver.

• Hotels: If someone carries your bags, a small tip of 20,000 – 50,000 VND is appreciated. For housekeeping staff, leaving 50,000 VND at the end of your stay is a good practice.

• Spas and massage salons: In tourist areas, a 10% tip is expected, especially if the service is high quality.

In short, tipping is never mandatory, but in some cases, a small gesture can make a big difference.

Traps to Avoid

Even though tipping can be a nice gesture, there are some situations where you should be cautious.

• Tipping too much in a local spot: In a small street restaurant or a family-run café, leaving a large tip can be awkward. Some locals might even refuse it.

• Tips that don’t go to employees: In some hotels or restaurants, staff are required to hand over their tips to the management. If you want to make sure your tip reaches the right person, give it directly in hand.

• Scams disguised as “tips”: Some taxi drivers, tour guides, or private drivers may insistently ask for a tip or even inflate the bill assuming you’ll tip. If you feel pressured, that’s a red flag—stay firm and only give what you think is fair.

• “Service charges” already included: In some high-end restaurants or hotels, a 5-10% service charge is already added to the bill. In that case, there’s no need to tip on top of it.

New Tipping Scam in Vietnam

This is a growing scam in Vietnam, and I recently came across an ad for it on Facebook.

Some agencies in Vietnam use a misleading tactic: they print “Free Tours” in bold on their flyers, but in reality, they require a mandatory tip of $5 per person, which is essentially just their salary.

It’s like opening a café with a “Free Coffee” sign, but then forcing customers to pay a “mandatory tip” of 40,000 VND per cup. It makes no sense.

Here’s a perfect example I spotted on Facebook.

My Opinion

In Vietnam, tipping is neither mandatory nor systematic, but it is becoming more common in tourist areas. In most cases, a small bill is enough, especially if the service was good.

The key is to adapt your tip to the context: there’s no need to leave a large tip in a small local restaurant, but in a hotel or with a tour guide, it’s a well-appreciated gesture of recognition.

And if you’re unsure? A smile and a “cảm ơn” (thank you in Vietnamese) will often be just as appreciated as a tip!