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

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024Asia, Travel, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

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.

Is There Tipping in Hong Kong? Etiquette & Rules Explained By a Long-Term Resident

May 18, 2024May 18, 2024Asia, Hong Kong, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

As an American, the concept of tipping is at the forefront of almost every single interaction. From standard dine-in restaurants to Starbucks and other artisanal coffee shops, taxi drivers, hotels, and even takeout, I fully acknowledge tipping culture has gotten out of control. I was even prompted to tip at a liquor store once after picking up my own booze and paying at the counter. I’m not against tipping but the line is becoming blurred more and more when it comes to requesting a tip vs. what is expected in the ordinary course of one’s job description.

Frankly, America’s tipping culture is a driving reason why I love eating, drinking, and living in Hong Kong – as tipping in Hong Kong has not even come half as close to reaching the ubiquity (or absurdity) it has in the United States. Except for select situations or events, tipping in Hong Kong is not expected – the default rule is that you don’t need to tip in Hong Kong. Tipping just isn’t part of the culture. It is, however, always appreciated.

In my opinion, the only ‘mandatory’ time to tip in Hong Kong is during one specific cultural event and festival – Chinese New Year. However, there are several other key situations where I tip in Hong Kong, which I’ll walk you through below. I’ll also break down several key situations I don’t tip or aren’t typically situations most people tip in Hong Kong.

Having lived in Hong Kong for six-plus years, the below tipping practices and situations are based on my personal experience. I also asked my father (who has lived in Hong Kong for far longer than I have) and friends who grew up here when they tip in the city and incorporated their answers in this post.

What is the Legal Drinking Age in Cambodia? [2024]

January 3, 2024January 3, 2024Cambodia, Travel BigBody Leave a Comment

I had a bit of a whirlwind few weeks in Cambodia when I was living in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and was required to make semi-regular visa trips to Phnom Penh (and sometimes just the Cambodian border) to apply for a new visa and re-enter. Sometimes, I’d make a several-week trip out of it and post up in the country’s capital, Phnom Penh, for relaxation, gluttony, and cultural exploration.

What I found was a country with a surprisingly cosmopolitan alcohol and gastronomic landscape, boasting everything from countless live music and billiards bars blasting classic rock hits to throwback colonial lounges and bustling rooftop bars to Shanghainese speakeasies and international craft beer haunts. And that’s just the beginning. Cambodian casinos (well…they are actually owned by the Chinese), beach bars, and cigar bars are also at your fingertips.

As a popular destination for newly minted high school graduates on gap years, backpackers of all ages and creeds, university students from surrounding Asian countries, and other thrill seekers who enjoy a pint or two (or a bucket), a common question that pops up is “What is the legal drinking age in Cambodia?”

Here’s everything you need to know about the legal drinking age in Cambodia, along with other important alcohol laws in Cambodia.

Ink Seafood Bar: Craft Beer, Chips & Guac, & One Hell of a View

December 19, 2022January 5, 2023Asia, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

Find me a better view of Victoria Harbour and the always regal Hong Kong Island skyline, and I’ll show you a liar. At least once a week, I break into an incoherent rant to whoever has unfortunately found themselves within earshot about how there is a disappointing lack of restaurants, cafes, and bars with views of either the Hong Kong or Kowloon cityscape.

But there is one saving grace that keeps me sane (moderately sane). A place that does it all. A Power Rangers Megazord humanoid machine of the food and beverage industry with a view – Ink Seafood Bar. This is my go-to post-work safe haven (and Sunday-hangover haunt) to soak in indisputably the best skyline in the world over an IPA (and espressos), chips and guac, and fish and chips.

The Complete Guide to Craft Beer in Saigon

July 27, 2020December 3, 2023Asia, Beer & Breweries, Vietnam BigBody 5 Comments

Strap in. In this guide we are talking about all things craft beer in Saigon. Craft beer culture in Saigon is booming. No one will ever go thirsty here. I guarantee it. From a Belgian brewery serving up wheat beers in a 1.5 liter drum, to a slick gastropub with more than 100 craft beers to choose from, all the way to a popular craft beer haunt on the infamous Bui Vien Street, consider this your ultimate guide to craft beer in Saigon!

I consumed far more beer than I’m proud to admit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (although I guess I just admitted it), so that you know where to go next time you are fiending for an IPA, sour, lager, or all of the above.

Delay no more! Below is a list of my favorite bars and breweries for craft beer in Saigon.

9 of the Best Rooftop Bars in Saigon

July 6, 2020December 3, 2023Asia, Beer & Breweries, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

Saigon, Vietnam is a rooftop bar lover’s dream. Nothing quite beats throwing back a few cocktails while overlooking a city that never sleeps. As you may know from checking out my blog, I’m a big fan of “the booze.” So, during my year-plus living in Saigon (aka Ho Chi Minh City), I made it my goal to find the best rooftop bars in Saigon and see exactly what its nightlife truly has to offer.

I’ve compiled a list of 9 of my favorite rooftop bars in Saigon, Vietnam, so that you aren’t left wondering where to go the next time you want to hit the town and have a few drinks with a view.

Best Ship Street Restaurants & Bars in Hong Kong

December 15, 2019December 1, 2022Asia, Food, Hong Kong BigBody Leave a Comment

Consider this your ultimate guide to the best Hong Kong Ship Street restaurants and bars.

Wan Chai is a wild place, and has been for decades. I love getting nitty and gritty at the dive bars in Wan Chai as much as the next guy, but sometimes it’s needed to remove yourself from the humanity and sin, and move things up a few streets. Over the years, Wan Chai has been quickly doing that, now boasting numerous hip, social, and quality bars and restaurants just a few streets up from the likes of Amazonia and Escape. Ship Street has become an absolute favorite of mine to eat AND drink on.

In fact, it’s now my preferred area to hang out and drink at. Granted, it does not go all night like Lockhart Road and its immediate area. But, it’s just as fun – in its own way. And, you can tick off several places in a night if you’re looking for a short little pub crawl in Wan Chai.

Below are two of the best ship street restaurants and bars in Hong Kong to start (and end) your night out at. Wait, let’s make that three, with an honorable mention.

Craft Beer Pub Crawl Saigon

December 3, 2019December 3, 2023Asia, Beer & Breweries, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

I thought this would be a relevant article as I had several buddies visit Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) wanting to do a craft beer pub crawl. So, I’ve been on several self-guided craft beer tours and pub crawls in Saigon and decided to compile some insights. The great thing about District 1 in Saigon is that a majority of the best craft beer bars, pubs, and breweries are all concentrated within walking distance of one another, making for a great pub crawl atmosphere and route.

The below craft beer bars can be “crawled” in any order, however, I’m structuring this guide to well…help give you some structure, as it might be lacking after several of Saigon’s best beers. Plus, Vietnam’s craft beer scene is absolutely huge and growing, so it can be overwhelming to navigate Yelp, TripAdvisor, and other review platforms.

Oh, and Vietnam’s coffee scene isn’t too bad either (it’s incredible).

Consider this your ultimate Saigon craft beer tour guide! Let’s get started. Keep in mind that the following craft beer bars, breweries, and haunts are located within District 1. And, I’ve omitted several great breweries and bars in District 1 due to the fact that they don’t exactly jive with a short, concentrated route.

5 Breweries to Check Out in Ho Chi Minh City

November 27, 2019March 3, 2024Asia, Beer & Breweries, Vietnam BigBody Leave a Comment

If there’s three things I need to survive on a desert island, it’s beer, meat, and cheese. I’m not a craft beer expert by any means, but I do drink a good amount of beer and try to make it a priority to visit as many breweries as possible wherever I am. Ho Chi Minh has no shortage of breweries, and honestly, it’s probably the best city I’ve ever lived in (or been) in Asia for beer. To this day, some of my absolute favorite beers are ones I tried (and drank regularly) at some of Saigon’s most popular breweries.

In this post, I’m going to walk you through 5 breweries in Ho Chi Minh I think are worth checking out. Not just for drinks and food, but the atmosphere as well. As you can tell from my website and blog’s name, I do prefer IPAs and pale ales, but still do make a concerted effort to try different types of beer. After all… Good beer is good beer.

Keep in mind that all of the below breweries generally have weekly events going on (ex. Beer tastings, happy hours, tours, etc…), so I recommend checking out their website or Facebook page for upcoming events and specials.

Do let me know your favorite breweries and beers to drink in Saigon below in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.