Tipping in Vietnam: Everything You Need to Know
Tipping in Vietnam can feel confusing for first-time visitors. Unlike in North America, where tipping is almost mandatory, Vietnam does not have a strong tradition of tipping. Locals don’t tip, and you won’t ever be expected to.
That said, as a traveler, you may wonder whether you should tip. I’ll be honest, even as someone from Canada, where tipping is second nature, I don’t always tip in Vietnam. It’s just not part of daily life here.
But sometimes I do, especially when I’m a regular at a restaurant, or when the service goes above and beyond. For me, it’s more about showing appreciation than following a rule.
I understand both sides: some travelers argue that tipping promotes Western habits in Vietnam, which are not customary there. In contrast, others feel it’s a small gesture of gratitude for the great hospitality.
At the end of the day, tipping in Vietnam isn’t about obligation; it’s about choice. This guide breaks down where it makes sense to leave a little extra, and when you can skip it without worry.
Tipping at Restaurants in Vietnam
When it comes to restaurants in Vietnam, tipping isn’t expected, even in lovely sit-down places. Locals don’t leave extra, and staff aren’t relying on tips the way they might in Western countries.
That said, many travelers (myself included) sometimes choose to leave something small if the service was genuinely good.
In mid-range or higher-end restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving a tip of 5–15% is a nice gesture that will always be appreciated.
If you become a regular somewhere, that’s when tipping can really make sense. I’ve had restaurants in Vietnam where I went back time and time again, and leaving a little extra felt like a way to show my gratitude to the staff I’d gotten to know.
Tipping at Bars & Cafés
At bars and cafés in Vietnam, tipping isn’t standard practice, but it’s always a kind gesture.
Most locals don’t do it, but Western visitors often leave a little extra, especially in trendy cafés or cocktail bars where service feels more personal.
For coffee shops, especially those known for serving authentic Vietnamese coffee, tipping isn’t typical or expected. Some modern cafés may have a small jar by the counter, but it’s more the exception than the rule.
If you want to leave a few thousand dong (the equivalent of a few cents), it’s a kind gesture, but most travelers don’t tip at cafés, and that’s completely fine.
Bars are similar. Whether it’s a casual bia hơi (local draft beer spot) or a rooftop cocktail lounge, you’re not expected to tip.
However, if you had a great experience or the bartender went the extra mile, rounding up your bill or leaving 10,000–20,000 VND is a nice way to show your appreciation.
Rule of thumb:
- Cafés: Drop spare change in the tip jar if you’d like.
- Bars: Round up the bill or leave a small note if service stands out.
Taxis, Grab Drivers & Transport Tipping
When it comes to taxis and ride-hailing apps like Grab in Vietnam, tipping is not expected at all.
Most locals don’t do it, and fares are already considered affordable compared to Western standards.
That said, many travelers choose to round up the fare for convenience or as a small gesture of thanks.
For example, if your ride costs 92,000 VND, you might hand over 100,000 VND and let the driver keep the change. Drivers definitely appreciate it, but they won’t think badly of you if you don’t.
Rule of thumb: Rounding up to the nearest 10,000–20,000 VND (about $0.50–$1 USD) is more than enough for a tip if you want to give one. It’s a simple way to show appreciation without overdoing it.
Tipping for Massages & Spas
Spas and massage parlors are among the few places in Vietnam where tipping is more common, especially in touristy areas such as Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh City.
While it’s still not technically required, staff often expect something extra here because the services are more personalized.
That said, you’ll also come across plenty of spas, especially in bigger cities, where tipping is already included in the bill under a “service charge.”
In those cases, there’s no need to add anything extra unless you feel the service was exceptional.
Rule of thumb: Leaving 10–15% of the bill, or around 50,000–100,000 VND ($2–$4 USD), is standard for a good massage. For shorter treatments, such as foot massages, 20,000–50,000 VND is sufficient.
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Tour Guides & Organized Trips: How Much to Tip
Tipping tour guides in Vietnam is more common than tipping in restaurants or cafes, mainly because guides often spend hours with you, sharing stories, managing logistics, and ensuring your trip runs smoothly.
For full-day private tours, it’s customary to leave around 100,000–200,000 VND ($4–$8 USD) per person for the guide, and about half that amount for the driver if one is included.
On group tours, a smaller tip, around 50,000 VND ($2 USD) per person, is excellent.
If you’re booking through a platform like GetYourGuide or Viator, remember that guides there are often used to collect tips from travelers, so it’s a good way to show appreciation.
That said, tipping is never mandatory; only do it if you feel the service was worth it. For organized trips, consider tipping as a way to express gratitude to guides who go above and beyond, rather than a strict requirement.
Tipping at Hotels & Accommodation
When it comes to hotels in Vietnam, tipping isn’t expected, but it’s always appreciated. Staff are usually paid modest salaries, and a small tip can go a long way.
If a porter helps carry your bags, 20,000–50,000 VND (about $1–2 USD) is a kind gesture.
For housekeeping, leave a little something at the end of your stay. Maybe 50,000–100,000 VND ($2–4 USD), is generous.
At higher-end hotels, service charges are often already included in your bill, so don’t feel pressured to tip extra unless someone really went out of their way to help you.
Whether you’re staying in a boutique hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter or a modern high-rise hotel in Saigon’s District 1, the same rule applies: tipping isn’t mandatory, but small acts of gratitude go a long way.
Street Food Stalls & Local Eateries in Vietnam: Do You Tip?
Street food is the heartbeat of Vietnamese cuisine, and one of its best aspects is its affordability. At small stalls and mom-and-pop eateries, tipping isn’t part of the culture at all. Locals pay the listed price and move on.
That said, if you really enjoyed the food or service, rounding up your bill by 5,000–10,000 VND (just a few cents) is a nice way to show appreciation. Vendors won’t expect it, but they certainly won’t refuse it either.
Personally, I always tip a little at these spots. These vendors often take care of me the best, especially since I slow travel and end up visiting the same places multiple times. It’s my way of saying thanks and building a good relationship.
Keep in mind that many of these stalls run on tight margins, so even a tiny tip can mean more than you’d think.
Still, the general expectation is that no tipping is needed or expected; your smile and repeat business speak louder than coins left on the table.
Final Thoughts on Tipping Culture in Vietnam
Ultimately, tipping in Vietnam comes down to personal preference. It’s not part of the culture, so you’ll never be frowned upon for skipping it, but small tips can go a long way in showing appreciation, especially in hotels, with tour guides, or when you’ve received service that felt extra special.
A quick practical tip for handling money in Vietnam: having a Wise card makes things incredibly convenient. You can fund it from your home bank account, convert currency in the app at fair rates, and then withdraw Vietnamese dong from ATMs as needed.
Two bank ATMs I frequently use in Vietnam are TPBank and VPBank, which even offer free withdrawals, a huge plus compared to the fees you’ll often find at other banks. For TPBank, look for purple signage, and for VPBank, look for green signage.
That said, always be mindful of ATM skimmers, especially at smaller, unmonitored machines. It’s a scam that travelers have encountered before, and it’s worth staying aware of the broader context when it comes to scams in Vietnam.
Tipping may not define your trip, but showing gratitude when it feels right, paired with smart money habits, will definitely make your travels smoother.
And if it’s your first time visiting Vietnam and you’re trying to plan your trip, my 2-week Vietnam itinerary is complete and ready for you to use for a perfect first-time experience.
Do you tip in Vietnam?
Tipping isn’t a cultural norm in Vietnam, so you’re never required to do so. That said, small tips are appreciated in restaurants, hotels, and tours, especially if you’ve received excellent service.
How much should you tip in Vietnam?
A good rule of thumb is 5–10% at sit-down restaurants, about $1–2 USD for taxi drivers or porters, and a few dollars per day for tour guides or hotel housekeeping.
Do taxis or Grab drivers expect tips in Vietnam?
No, they don’t expect tips. With Grab, the fare is set in the app, but rounding up or adding a small tip through the app is a nice gesture. Traditional taxi drivers also don’t expect tips, though rounding up the fare is common.
Is tipping seen as rude in Vietnam?
Not at all. While it’s not expected, tipping is never offensive. Locals don’t rely on it the way service workers in Western countries do. If you do tip, it will usually be received with gratitude.
