Do You Tip in Vietnam? Complete 2025 Guide (It's Optional!)

Quick Answer: Is Tipping Required in Vietnam?

No, tipping is NOT required or expected in Vietnam. Unlike the United States where tipping is mandatory (15-20%), Vietnam does not have a traditional tipping culture. Service workers receive wages and don't rely on tips to survive.

However, tipping has become more common in tourist areas (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang) as Western visitors bring tipping habits. It's appreciated but optional.

When to tip: Good service at hotels, restaurants, tours, spas
How much: 20,000-200,000 VND ($0.85-$8.50) depending on service
When NOT to tip: Street food, taxis with meters, if service charge is included

Bottom line: Tip if you want to show appreciation but never feel obligated. Vietnamese service workers won't be offended if you don't tip.

This complete Vietnam tipping guide 2025 answers all your questions: Is tipping customary? How much should you tip tour guides, hotel staff, drivers, and massage therapists? When should you NOT tip? What's a good tip amount in Vietnamese Dong (VND)? Whether you're visiting for 1 week or 1 month, this guide explains Vietnamese tipping etiquette so you can tip confidently (or not tip) without worrying about offending anyone.

Tipping Culture in Vietnam Explained

Tipping used not to be the norm in Vietnam. But tipping culture has become increasingly common as international visitors (especially western tourists) have flocked to Vietnam (the linkage between these two statistics is not particularly surprising), with urban areas like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City most impacted. It is not required but a small tip is appreciated which makes differences for service workers that make low wages.

How Much to Tip in Vietnam (Quick Reference Table)

Tipping in Restaurants & Cafes (20,000-50,000 VND)

Cafes or Local Restaurants: For local cafes or street food vendors, there is no expectation of tips. That said, rounding up the bill or leaving change of approximately 10,000 to 20,000 VND is a polite gesture on receiving good service. It can be a pretty rewarding experience when you see a big wide smile on their faces and at times surprised look too haha.

Mid-Range to Upscale Restaurants: Here, if you’re not charged a service fee then a gratuity within 5-10% of the bill is normal. Always check your bill to see if a service fee is already included before determining how much tip to leave. Higher the service charge, lower should be the tip is the general rule!

Tipping in Hotels

Bellhops and Porters: For moving luggage or providing services tipping 20,000 to 50,000 VND is expected. Again, you won’t get the look for not tipping as you might get in countries like the USA because tipping is still not normalised in Vietnam. So don’t feel pressured!

Housekeeping: Leave your housekeeping staff a daily tip of 20,000 to 50,000 VND. This is an excellent idea, particularly if you are staying for a longer period. They might surprise you with extra bottles of water and goodies as a nice gesture in return.

Tipping for Tours and Transportation

Tour Guides: If you enjoyed an informative (and hopefully entertaining) tour, tip your guide about 10-15% of the cost of your tour. With free tours, this is often around 50,000 VND.

Drivers: If your time on the road is all day or making your quick getaway to the airport, tipping around 30,000 to 60,000 VND is a great way to either say thanks to your driver, particularly if they helped with any bags or offered more information on your way.

Tipping in Spas & Massage (50,000-100,000 VND or 20%)

Vietnam is known for its traditional massage and spa services. Tipping around 20% of the service bill, or 50,000 to 100,000 VND, in appreciation of the skill and care given by the therapists is the norm when you receive acts like this.

Tipping Taxi Drivers in Vietnam (Usually Not Expected)

Most of the taxi companies have fixed fares in Vietnam so it is not common to tip taxi drivers here. But a small tip can be given if a taxi driver provides exceptional service or helps with luggage. If you are using the Grab app to book a bike/car taxi, you can also tip directly from the app.
You can round up to the nearest 10,000 to 20,000 VND.

Tipping in Markets and Other Situations

Street Vendors And Markets: Whether you are buying from street vendors or at the local market, there is little to no customary tipping expected. So if a vendor has gone above and beyond to provide great service or support, a small tip can be a pleasant surprise.

Public Toilets: Some toilets have attendants in charge of cleaning and maintenance. You may leave a small tip (<10,000 VND) for them to maintain the facility you used.

General Tipping Etiquette in Vietnam

Currency: Always tip in Vietnamese Dong (VND), so the recipient can just use the money without the need to exchange it.

Presentation: Give it to the person with a smile and “thank you (Vietnamese: “Cam on”). It makes the gesture feel more sincere.

Discretion: Suggest to leave tips discreetly so as to not attract undue attention, as not all places welcome tipping. You know what we mean!

When NOT to Tip in Vietnam

Knowing when NOT to tip is just as important as knowing when to tip. Here are situations where tipping is unnecessary or inappropriate:

1. Street Food Vendors & Local Markets

Street food is Vietnam's soul, and vendors don't expect tips. Meals cost 30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-$2), and tipping would actually be awkward. If you want to show appreciation, just say "cam on" (thank you) with a smile.

Exception: If a vendor goes way out of their way (special preparation, extra help), you can round up 5,000-10,000 VND. 

2. Taxis with Meters (Mai Linh, Vinasun)

Vietnam's reputable taxi companies (Mai Linh, Vinasun) charge fair meter rates. Drivers don't expect tips. Just pay the meter amount, or round up to the nearest 10,000 VND for convenience.

3. Grab Drivers (Bike or Car)

Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber) prices are fixed in the app. Drivers don't expect tips, though the app has an optional tipping feature. Most locals don't tip Grab drivers.

When to tip Grab: Only if the driver helps with heavy luggage or waits extra time for you.

4. When Service Charge Is Already Included

Many mid-range and upscale restaurants add a 5-10% service charge to your bill.
Always check the bill before tipping. If there's a service charge, no additional tip is needed (the restaurant keeps it, not the server, unfortunately).

How to check: Look for "Service charge" or "Service fee" on the bill.

5. Government Run Sites & Museums 

Entry tickets to government operated museums, historical sites, and national parks don't require tips. Staff are salaried government employees.

6. When Service Was Poor

If service was genuinely bad (rude staff, mistakes, long delays without apology), don't feel obligated to tip. Tipping is a reward for good service, not an entitlement.

Important: Don't tip out of guilt or pressure. Vietnamese culture doesn't have the tipping guilt that exists in America.

7. Convenience Stores & Shops

Retail shops, convenience stores (Circle K, FamilyMart), and clothing stores never expect tips. Just pay the listed price.

8. Aggressive or Entitled Requests

If someone demands a tip aggressively or makes you feel uncomfortable, do NOT tip. Genuine service workers in Vietnam are polite and never aggressive about tips.

Red flag: "You must tip me" or "Tip is required". Just walk away. Tipping is NEVER required in Vietnam and no one is entitled for it!

Common Tipping Mistakes to Avoid

1. Tipping in USD Instead of VND

Always tip in Vietnamese Dong (VND), not US dollars or other currencies. Many service workers can't easily exchange foreign money, and it creates hassle. 

Solution: Keep small VND bills (20,000, 50,000, 100,000) for tipping.

2. Tipping Too Much (The American Problem)

American travelers often over-tip because they're used to 20% being standard. In Vietnam, 10-15% is generous, and flat amounts (100,000 VND) are often more appropriate than percentages.

Remember: 100,000 VND ($4) is a solid tip in Vietnam. Don't tip $20 thinking it's necessary.

3. Not Having Small Bills

If you only have large bills (500,000 VND), you might over-tip or struggle to tip at all. Break large bills at convenience stores or restaurants before tipping. 

4. Forgetting Housekeeping

Many travelers remember to tip tour guides but forget housekeeping staff who clean their room daily. Leave 20,000-50,000 VND on the pillow with a note each day. 

5. Tipping Publicly in Crowded Places

While tipping is more accepted now, avoid waving money around in crowded areas. Be discreet, especially in local (non-touristy) settings. 

6. Not Checking for Service Charges

Always check your restaurant bill for "service charge" before tipping. Double-tipping wastes your money (and the restaurant keeps the service charge anyway, not the server). 

7. Tipping Before the Service Is Complete

On tours, wait until the END to tip your guide. Judge the full experience (knowledge, helpfulness, punctuality) before deciding the amount.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping in Vietnam 

Q. Is tipping expected in Vietnam?
No, tipping is not expected in Vietnam. Unlike the United States where tipping 15-20% is mandatory, Vietnam doesn't have a traditional tipping culture. Service workers receive wages and don't rely on tips. However, tips are appreciated in tourist areas (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang) for good service.

Q. Do people tip in Vietnam?
Some do, some don't. Locals rarely tip except at high-end establishments. Foreign tourists (especially Westerners) tip more frequently. It's completely optional—don't feel pressured either way.

Q. What is a good tip in Vietnam?
A good tip depends on the service:

• Tour guides: 100,000-200,000 VND ($4-8) per day
• Hotel bellhop: 20,000-50,000 VND ($1-2)
• Restaurant: 5-10% of bill (if no service charge)
• Spa/massage: 50,000-100,000 VND ($2-4)
  

Q. How much should you tip in Vietnam?
20,000-50,000 VND for basic services (bellhop, housekeeping), 100,000-200,000 VND for guides and private services, 5-10% for restaurants. Always in Vietnamese Dong, never USD.

Q. Do you tip Grab drivers in Vietnam?
No, it's not expected. Grab prices are fixed in the app, and most locals don't tip. You can tip through the app if the driver helped with luggage or provided exceptional service, but it's completely optional.

Q. How much to tip bellboy in Vietnam?
20,000-50,000 VND ($1-2) per service. If they carry multiple bags or provide extra help, 50,000 VND is appropriate.

Q. How much to tip for massage in Vietnam?
50,000-100,000 VND ($2-4) or 15-20% of the service cost for excellent massages. For basic foot massages, 50,000 VND is sufficient.

Q. Should I tip taxi drivers in Vietnam?
Not usually. Meter taxis (Mai Linh, Vinasun) don't expect tips. You can round up to the nearest 10,000-20,000 VND for convenience, but it's not required.

Q. Is 100,000 dong a good tip in Vietnam?
A 100,000 VND tip (about $4) is considered decent for a guide or therapist, whereas porters and valets often receive 10,000 to 20,000 VND.

Q. Do you tip in Vietnam restaurants?
Optional. Local restaurants and street food don't expect tips. Mid-range and upscale restaurants: 5-10% if there's no service charge already on the bill.

Q. How much to tip hotel housekeeping in Vietnam? 
20,000-50,000 VND per day, left on the pillow or bedside table with a small "thank you" note. This is one of the most appreciated tips.

Q. Is tipping rude in Vietnam? 
No, tipping is not rude. While it's not traditional Vietnamese culture, it's now widely accepted and appreciated, especially in tourist areas. Just be discreet and polite when tipping.

Q. Do you tip tour guides in Vietnam? 
Yes, tipping tour guides is common and expected for good service. Tip 10-15% of the tour cost, or 100,000-200,000 VND per day for full-day tours.

Q. How much to tip in Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh?
Tipping culture is similar in both cities. Hanoi locals tip slightly less than Saigon/HCMC, but tourists should follow the same guidelines: 100,000-200,000 VND for guides, 20,000-50,000 VND for hotel staff.

Q. What currency should I tip in Vietnam?
Always tip in Vietnamese Dong (VND). Workers can't easily exchange USD or other currencies. Keep small bills (20,000, 50,000, 100,000 VND) for tipping.