YepTip

Tipping in Vietnam

Tipping not customary
3%
Average tip
₫
VND
No
Tipping custom
8
Services covered

Service Breakdown

Service Range Recommended Notes
Restaurant 0–10% Optional Not traditional, but small tips are increasingly welcomed in tourist areas.
Hotel / Housekeeping 0–10% Optional 20,000–50,000 VND per night for housekeeping is appreciated.
Taxi / Rideshare 0–10% Optional Round up; exact fare is also fine.
Spa & Massage 5–15% 10% 50,000–100,000 VND for massage therapists is a kind gesture.
Bar 0–10% Optional A small tip is welcome in tourist bars.
Hairdresser / Barber 0–10% Optional A small tip is appreciated.
Tour Guide 5–15% 10% $2–5 USD per person for local guides.
Food Delivery 0–5% Optional Not expected but appreciated.

Notes by Service

Restaurant

Not traditional, but small tips are increasingly welcomed in tourist areas.

Hotel / Housekeeping

20,000–50,000 VND per night for housekeeping is appreciated.

Taxi / Rideshare

Round up; exact fare is also fine.

Spa & Massage

50,000–100,000 VND for massage therapists is a kind gesture.

Bar

A small tip is welcome in tourist bars.

Hairdresser / Barber

A small tip is appreciated.

Tour Guide

$2–5 USD per person for local guides.

Food Delivery

Not expected but appreciated.

About Tipping in Vietnam

Overview

Tipping isn't a traditional Vietnamese custom, but it's become common in tourist areas and is genuinely appreciated by hospitality workers who often earn modest wages. USD is widely accepted alongside dong in tourist restaurants, hotels, and with guides — and small dollar bills are a practical tipping currency.

When to tip

Tip tour guides ($3–5 USD per day is standard), drivers, massage therapists (50,000–100,000 VND is a meaningful amount), and hotel staff in tourist-facing roles. In tourist-district restaurants, 10–15% is increasingly expected; at local pho spots and street stalls, rounding up is plenty.

How to tip

Cash is essential — card tips often don't reach staff directly. Small USD bills ($1, $5) are useful throughout the country. For guided tours, hand the tip directly to your guide at the end of the day rather than leaving it with the agency. At restaurants, leave cash on the table rather than adding it to the card payment.

Cultural context

Vietnam's tourism industry has grown rapidly, and tipping norms are still evolving. In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City's international restaurant scenes, 10–15% is becoming normal. In rural areas and at family-run guesthouses, a smaller tip or simply paying the asked price without bargaining is a respectful alternative. Tipping warmly reflects well on you and is noticed.

Tipping is not customary in Vietnam. Offering a tip may cause offence in some situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is tipping customary in Vietnam?

No, tipping is not generally expected in Vietnam.

How much should I tip at a restaurant in Vietnam?

Tipping is not generally expected. Not traditional, but small tips are increasingly welcomed in tourist areas.

How much should I tip hotel housekeeping in Vietnam?

Tipping is not generally expected. 20,000–50,000 VND per night for housekeeping is appreciated.

How much should I tip a taxi driver in Vietnam?

Tipping is not generally expected. Round up; exact fare is also fine.

How much should I tip for a massage or spa treatment in Vietnam?

5–15% is typical. 50,000–100,000 VND for massage therapists is a kind gesture.

Do you tip at bars in Vietnam?

Tipping is not generally expected. A small tip is welcome in tourist bars.

How much should I tip a hairdresser in Vietnam?

Tipping is not generally expected. A small tip is appreciated.

How much should I tip a tour guide in Vietnam?

5–15% is typical. $2–5 USD per person for local guides.

Should I tip for food delivery in Vietnam?

Tipping is not generally expected. Not expected but appreciated.

Is ₫50,000 a good tip for a massage in Vietnam?

Yes, ₫50,000 is a very generous and highly appreciated tip for a standard massage in Vietnam, where tipping is not customary but widely welcomed in tourist spas.

Is ₫500,000 a big tip in Vietnam?

Yes, ₫500,000 is an exceptionally large tip in Vietnam, equivalent to a full day's wage for many local service workers, and is far beyond standard expectations.

Is ₫10,000 a good tip for a taxi driver in Vietnam?

Yes, ₫10,000 is a standard and polite tip for a taxi driver, and is most easily given by simply rounding up your fare to the nearest convenient bill.

How much should I tip for a 60-minute massage in Vietnam?

While tipping is not mandatory, leaving a tip of ₫50,000 to ₫100,000 is a common way to reward excellent service at massage parlors and spas.

Is it rude not to tip at a restaurant in Vietnam?

No, it is not rude at all to leave without tipping in Vietnam, as tipping is not part of the local dining culture and will not offend the staff.

Do you tip Grab drivers in Vietnam?

Tipping Grab drivers is not customary or expected, but rounding up the fare to the nearest ₫10,000 or leaving a small cash tip is a nice gesture for good service.

Is ₫100,000 a good tip for a private tour guide in Vietnam?

Yes, ₫100,000 per person is a very respectful and appreciated tip for a private tour guide who has provided an excellent, full-day experience.