Is There Tipping in Vietnam? Answers From a Former Expat in Ho Chi Minh City

Having moved to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in mid-2018, with little to no knowledge of Vietnam or Vietnamese customs, I was curious to see if the foreign influence had permeated the country’s service industry – specifically in the context of tipping. After all, Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City) is Vietnam’s most populous and cosmopolitan city where Western influence has solidified deep roots in the gastronomic landscape.

As an American, who has at one point in his life been shamed for refusing to tip a Starbucks barista in the U.S. after ordering ahead via the app and picking up the drink myself, I fully acknowledge that the cult of tipping culture in some Western countries (the U.S. is the main culprit, of course), has become utterly preposterous and nonsensical. This is not a stance against tipping rather I feel the line between doing one’s job vs. being compensated extra is becoming thinner and thinner. 

So, it was a huge sigh of relief when I landed in Vietnam and quickly caught on that Vietnamese tipping culture is very different from that in the United States. The general rule is that it is not customary to tip in Vietnam. While the country has undergone a substantial economic and social transformation, with tourism also crawling back to pre-pandemic levels, tipping is still not expected in Vietnam. 

However, there are specific situations where tipping may actually be expected (or appreciated) in Vietnam. Below, I’ll walk you through these instances along with other times I recommend tipping in Vietnam.

Pale Ale Travel Note: One good quote that I heard is that while Vietnam is a developing country and may not be as wealthy as your home country, don’t treat everyone/the local population as if they are beggars. Always aim to treat everyone with respect and dignity. This isn’t Big Body virtue signaling, by any means, rather do your best to ascertain when giving a little extra might be appropriate vs. situations where it may potentially offend.

When Isn’t It Customary to Tip in Vietnam?

Ốc Loan in District 3 (HCMC) is one of my favorite spots to post up for some seafood and beers.

Before we dive into Vietnam’s tipping culture and specifics below, the general rule that I’d like to lead with is that almost every single country except America doesn’t tip. However, while tipping in Vietnam is not expected, it is appreciated and can go a long way for food and beverage and other service industry workers.

Further, in Vietnam, you may be more likely to encounter service staff requesting and/or looking for a tip in foreigner-facing situations, such as in popular tourist spots. However, tipping is not mandatory in Vietnam.

Just so I don’t need to put USD conversions for everything:

• VND 20,000 = USD 0.80,
• VND 50,000 dong = USD 2,
• VND 100,000 dong = USD 4,
• VND 500,000 dong = USD 20,
• VND 1 million = USD 40.

Let’s start with the overwhelming majority of situations where you do not need to tip in Vietnam. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: I also want to take a moment to establish that there is a difference between “tipping” and paying bribes. For example, my doorman in Saigon would refuse to let me in after certain hours (ex. Early in the morning after a big night out) and hinted that if I gave him 100,000 dong (USD 4) I could ensure no hemming and hawing when trying to get in.

Tipping at Restaurants & Bars in Vietnam

Restaurants and bars are the primary establishments where the question of tipping ever comes up. If you are curious if you should tip at restaurants and bars in Vietnam, the answer is no, it is not required. This is because service charge/VAT (Value Added Tax) is typically “baked in” to the bill at restaurants and bars in Vietnam. 

Because of this, it is not normal to tip at fast-food restaurants, mid-range restaurants, bars, and other food and beverage establishments. An important note is that when buying food or beverages from street vendors such as banh mi carts or juice stalls, VAT is not imposed.

Oftentimes, if there is leftover change after paying your bill, it is not uncommon to let the waiter or proprietor keep the change. 

At high-end restaurants and bars, there is of course a service charge/VAT. However, this may be the only type of establishment where you might consider leaving a tip. The amount can vary, however, a good starting point would be 10% to 20% of the bill. 

For example, several buddies and I love going to the high-end Argentinian steakhouse ‘El Gaucho’, where the bill can go as high as VND 10 million between several of us. We will typically tip anywhere from VND 500,000 to VND 1 million on the bill. 

While I do tip at certain high-end restaurants in Vietnam, I can’t ever recall a time I’ve tipped at a high-end bar as I often just purchase one drink at a time or use my credit card. 

A Saigon Tipping Anecdote

Finally, this is purely anecdotal but having dated in Vietnam, one woman who I still keep in touch with and meet up with (and her friends and family) always tips at whatever BBQ or seafood restaurant we go to. 

This is because we typically have the waiters and waitresses getting more than their fair share of steps in for the day refilling crates of beer, ice for beer glasses (a very Vietnamese thing), and going the extra mile to ensure we have a great time. 

She usually hands a VND 100,000 bill to each of the service industry staff who helped take care of us (usually 2 to 3 people). For a total bill that often ranges from VND 2 million to 4 or 5 million, this is a small gesture that I do think goes a long way and is a reason that we have several regular spots where we always meet up. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Vietnam is hands down one of the best beer cultures I’ve ever encountered. In fact, I’d pit Saigon against anywhere in Asia when it comes to the number of quality beers and breweries (and they are all within a very walkable radius). Make sure to read my self-guided Saigon pub crawl article and post breaking down the top breweries in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Tipping Grab Drivers (Including Food Delivery Drivers)

When you’re in Vietnam, forget Uber – you’re in ‘The House of Grab’ now. Grab is one of Southeast Asia’s top ride-sharing and delivery apps that every tourist should install before visiting. I put ‘Grab’ ahead of taxi drivers on this list as I can confidently say that more people use Grab for ride-hailing services than taxis in Vietnam.

For ride-hailing services via Grab, it’s not common or expected to tip your driver (this includes both car and motorbike). However, you may round up the bill and let them know they can keep the remaining change. Sometimes, you’ll find that riders also don’t have exact change so to avoid any hassle, I usually just round up. 

Further, Grab can also be linked to your credit card, which I would argue makes it less common for you to tip, as you’re being charged the exact amount (and this may be recommended for those who don’t typically carry cash with them). If you feel inclined, you may tip your driver via the app.

When it comes to Grab food delivery, I always (a) round up the bill if it’s a smaller order, or (b) tip roughly 10% of the bill if it is a larger order. For example, if I order Bún bò Huế and some smaller dishes (or if I order Popeyes), and the bill comes to VND 140,000, I will give the delivery rider VND 150,000 and tell them to keep the remaining VND 10,000. If the bill is upwards of VND 800,000 (I do sometimes order a lot of American BBQ in Saigon), I’ll usually tip the driver anywhere from VND 50,000 to VND 100,000.

Other factors that affect if I tip (personal tipping preferences) are if it is an older driver, if they got off their bike and walked the food/drinks up to my building, or if it’s raining and/or began raining after I ordered. 

Tipping Taxi Drivers in Vietnam

Tipping taxi drivers in Vietnam is not customary or expected. However, similar to “tipping” Grab drivers, you may round up the bill. The only major note I’d make about Vietnamese taxi drivers is that I have run into a few issues with being cheated on bills, so most of the time I just make sure that I get the exact change back. 

However, if the driver helps me with my luggage (when going to the airport) or allows my friends and I to squeeze an extra person into their Vinasun van (on a night of drinking), I’ll often round up the bill or give VND 10,000 to VND 20,000.  

Tipping at Cafes in Vietnam

Iced coconut coffees are one of the G.O.A.T.’ed drinks in the world.

While it isn’t customary or mandatory to tip at cafes, coffee shops, or roadside coffee vendors (of which there are plenty in Vietnam), it isn’t uncommon to round up the bill and leave the remaining change (ex. VND 5,000). 

Tipping at cafes and coffee shops isn’t common in Vietnam because (a) VAT/service charge is included for dine-in, and (b) you typically order at the counter and then pick up your drink at a designated counter area (ex. At Highlands Coffee). And, when buying coffee from a roadside vendor or cart, you are not expected to tip at all (and there is no VAT/service charge) as the owner has presumably factored everything into their prices.

The only time I explicitly tip at cafes in Vietnam is when I’ve spent more than my fair share of time posted up at a single table with my laptop. This is the only time I can remember tipping at a cafe in Saigon. 

Tipping at Hostels & Hotels in Vietnam

Tipping hostel and hotel staff in Vietnam is not mandatory. However, it is appreciated. The only time I think one would ever consider tipping at a hotel in Vietnam is if it is a high-end luxury or boutique hotel and you received exceptional service – such as a bellhop helping bring countless suitcases up to your room or coming back to your room to find extra towels. 

My general rule is that I will always leave a tip for housekeeping if I stay for more than just a couple of days. This is primarily because I can be a dirty boy and I do really appreciate coming home to an organized and clean room every day. In these cases, I will typically leave anywhere from VND 20,000 to VND 50,000. 

When is It Customary to Tip in Vietnam?

I love the walk across the District 4 footbridge to District 1.

While tipping culture isn’t customary in Asia because many countries (a) pay service industry staff a liveable wage, and (b) service costs and pay are typically factored into goods and service pricing, I don’t particularly find that to be the case in Vietnam. 

Vietnam is a developing country and average wages can range from 4 to 5 million Vietnamese dong per month to 10 million dong per month (the latter for ‘skilled workers’ with professional qualifications). Oftentimes, service industry workers earn anywhere from VND 25,000 to VND 50,000 per hour. While this may be considered ‘fair’ by Vietnam standards, rounding up a bill or tipping a few dollars for excellent service may be greatly appreciated.

As I mentioned above, this is not me saying that you should tip in a culture that doesn’t expect (or require) it because you take pity on anyone. Rather, if you feel that a service industry worker has gone above and beyond, it may be a nice gesture to tip them. 

Keep in mind that the below situations are when I personally tip in Vietnam and aren’t mandatory. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: I know that a lot of people make the argument that tipping in Vietnam and other countries where it isn’t customary can greatly distort the market and inadvertently drive prices up (ultimately throwing the balance of the service industry out of whack). I don’t disagree. However, there are specific situations where I have experienced service industry workers going above and beyond and find it appropriate to tip them for their exceptional service. Let’s also not forget that in Europe, restaurant service can (at points) be abysmal. 

Massages, Spas, & Salons

Anytime I’ve gone for a massage in Vietnam, I tip. For me, this is a more personalized service where I’m thankful to walk out of there not feeling like a dump truck me over after a long week of work. This is also a common situation that the Vietnamese tip. It extends to other spa and grooming and/or beauty services as well (ex. estheticians). 

The general baseline for tipping masseuses, beauty technicians, and other grooming providers is 10% to 20% of the total bill. However, if the service is exceptional, consider tipping more if you feel so inclined. 

At higher-end spas, such as the Grand Hyatt, I’ll usually tip anywhere from VND 100,000 to VND 200,000, depending on the price of the massage and/or treatment. 

This all applies to barbers and hairdressers as well in Vietnam. While tipping is not required at salons, it is one of the more common situations in which local Vietnamese will tip. 

Pale Ale Travel Note: Handling money in Vietnam can be a little tricky for first-timers due to the VND 20,000 bill and VND 500,000 looking similar (they are both blue). Make sure that you acquaint yourself with each and double-check the bill you are handing someone when you do tip. During my first week in Vietnam, I accidentally paid for a taxi ride with a VND 500,000 bill and the driver definitely took advantage of me mixing up the two. 

Tipping Tour Guides & Drivers in Vietnam

While it isn’t common to tip in Vietnam, tipping tour guides and personal drivers is recommended. A good tour guide may lead to one of the most memorable and informative days of your travels, so it’s a nice gesture to reward the person(s) responsible. 

This one can be especially tricky to try and determine an amount for because of the varying lengths, comprehensiveness, and quality of tours and/or tour guides. However, my general rule is that I tip anywhere from VND 100,000 to VND 200,000 per tour guide, depending on the quality and length of the tour. This is also roughly what I tip a personal driver for a full day. 

For all-day tours or private tour guides that provide outstanding service, I may consider tipping up to VND 400,000 or VND 500,000. 

For shorter tours, such as a quick river cruise, tipping VND 20,000 to VND 60,000 per person may be appropriate (if at all).

The above are not hard and fast rules, they are just simply my starting points. 

Pale Ale Travel Tip: Having lived in Vietnam for over one year, make sure to check out my post breaking down the pros and cons of living in Ho Chi Minh City.

Dedicated Beer Girl or Guy

When you’re drinking “beer on ice,” it goes quickly – making a dedicated beer guy or beer girl essential for a righteous drinking session.

This is a very nuanced tipping situation that really only occurs in several Southeast Asian countries. Oftentimes at a Vietnamese BBQ or seafood restaurant, you’ll notice designated women or men (mostly women) wearing an outfit with a specific beer brand’s logo on it. That is usually the beer that the restaurant serves and that person will often be your ‘designated beer/drinks person’. 

This means that they ensure your crate of beers (or drinks) is continuously refilled, your drink is topped up with ice (Vietnamese love drinking beer on ice), and other drink needs are met. The Vietnamese woman and her group of friends that I often go out with will always ensure to tip the designated “beer girl” or “beer guy” at the end of the night. 

There is no specific percentage of the bill to tip for this, however, it isn’t uncommon to give anywhere from VND 100,000 to VND 200,000 (or more) for their effort. 

Vietnamese Lunar New Year & Weddings

While this is not a standard “tipping scenario” in Vietnam, both the Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết) and weddings are common situations to give out ‘li xi’, red envelopes filled with money. This is to bless and bring good fortune to the recipient(s), such as a newly married couple beginning their life together. 

In Vietnamese culture, the numbers 6, 8, and 9 all symbolize good luck and good fortune, so it’s recommended to provide a monetary amount that incorporates one of these numbers. 

At Vietnamese weddings, if you don’t know the couple getting married well, VND 500,000 is generally the standard amount and bare minimum(based on my experience). However, for intimate and close relationships with the bride and groom, VND 1 million to VND 2 million or more is typically the range you should expect to give. 

During the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, it’s common to give anywhere from VND 20,000 to VND 2 million or VND 3 million, depending on your relationship with the person. For example, you might consider giving VND 20,000 to an acquaintance, while you might give a family member or close friend (unmarried friend) VND 1 million. The amount is usually meant to reflect or speak to how close you are to the recipient. 

If you want to err on the safe side and not be called “stingy,” giving VND 100,000 to VND 200,000 in a red envelope is typically sufficient.

Keep in mind that if you are single, you typically don’t need to give a red envelope in Vietnamese culture. 

Exceptional Service

I know I’ve already hammered this home but if you feel that you received exceptional service from someone, a tip may be very much appreciated. Tips are not mandatory but it can sometimes make or break your day to have someone in the service industry who really goes above and beyond and makes your day or night better (or smoother).

Pale Ale Travel Tip: If you’re looking for some of the best cafes to post up and tackle some work at in Saigon, make sure to check out my post breaking down the best laptop-friendly cafes in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Additional Questions About Tipping Culture in Vietnam

Below are just several additional questions I’ve been asked about tipping in Vietnam. 

Is It Considered Rude Not to Tip in Vietnam?

It is not considered rude if you don’t tip in Vietnam. As emphasized countless times by now, tipping culture is just not a thing in Vietnam and no one will be offended or look at you like you’re crazy if you don’t tip. 

Can You Tip With USD in Vietnam? 

While you can technically tip with USD in Vietnam, I don’t recommend it due to the exchange rates the person may get when converting to VND – especially if the bill isn’t new or crisp. Further, I can’t imagine many other tourists and/or travelers are tipping in USD, meaning they then have to wait to accumulate a larger stack of USD to make conversion rates worth it.

If you do decide to tip in Vietnam, I recommend doing so in Vietnamese dong (VND). 

Final Verdict on Tipping in Vietnam

There aren’t many views out there than that of the People’s Committee Building at night.

Remember, nothing in this post is mandatory. While tipping is not customary nor expected in Vietnam, there may be a select few situations where it might be appropriate (or appreciated). Always be respectful when you’re in a different country and when in doubt, do as the Vietnamese do. 

Also, don’t ever hesitate to ask a local friend and/or guide what they would do in a specific situation (this is often when I learn what the ‘baseline’ is for certain behavior, and then I tailor my actions accordingly).  

Let me know your thoughts on tipping in Vietnam and if there are any specific situations where you tip. I know this is a contentious issue and may be absurd for anyone who isn’t American reading this, however, it is an important discussion and something I’ve been asked about by more than a handful of friends and readers preparing for their trip to Vietnam.

Be well everyone,

Big Body