(Someone who works in your home regularly — such as a housekeeper — usually expects a tip.) For personal services like manicures, massages, pet grooming, and fitness training, tip up to the cost of one session, but only if you see the same person regularly. For example, if you get a $60 massage every six weeks, your holiday tip should be about $60. A 60-year-old former massage worker from Taiwan, who agreed to be identified only by the nickname she commonly uses, Tina, said she was lured into working at a massage parlor in New York a decade Hi, there! Im Friendly and Experienced Professional Latina Masseuse, I offer Excellent Services in your room at the hotel, to Relieve Stress and Rejuvenate the Spirit Ive been doing massage for 3 years. I am well educated and Im certified in deep tissue. I have strong hands and I put my body into it for that extra strength.Give me a try and I promise you will become a regular. A Vietnamese massage isn't too expensive - the cost of a full body massage in Vietnam starts from $5-7, and an additional tip of about $2 (if you want to). Both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City house the best of Vietnam's massage parlors. Begin by combing out your hair lightly and covering your clothing by a towel around shoulders. Put an amount of olive oil into your hand and begin applying it to the tail of hair. Massage hair strands lightly. Work the oil on each small section at a second then apply to all of hair, remember to stop the oil application one inch from the scalp. L4YaTA. To tip or not to tip, that is the question that plagues vacationers while traveling in Vietnam. We are so used to American and European cultures but sometimes so clueless as to how services in Asia should be tipped. Perhaps a complete guide to tipping in Vietnam will help you solve this dilemma. Just imagine, you’re cruising down the Mekong Delta and your boat driver shares his drinks not included in the fare with you and says it’s free as he noticed how parched you seem to be. Do you tip right away or wait for the end of the service? Or do you just say cảm ơn bạn? It might be a bit vague as tourism in Vietnam is still in it’s earliest stages, but Vietnamese are saying that tipping in Vietnam is not customary and perhaps even in its infancy in the country. Vietnamese people are hard workers, and their minimum wage $200 is less than their average monthly expenses at least $300. Most of them are pushed to do overtime, and have other jobs on the side, just to get by. So in a way, tipping in Vietnam helps the locals, and it is highly appreciated. So if you did enjoy the service, if the person went the extra mile, or you are just particularly satisfied with everything, then, by all means, leave a tip. But do you know how much to tip and which sectors of the hospitality industry expect tips and which do not? Then you’re in the right place. Conveniently, a complete guide to tipping in Vietnam is about to start. Beginner Tips for Tipping in Vietnam First of all, tip in Vietnamese dong. Giving them dollars or other currencies seem to be disrespectful for them. Be sure to change your currencies before seeking out spas, riding in taxis, or eating out. Secondly, when eating in restaurants, especially in hotels or fancy places, check your bill. Most of the time, there is a service fee that is included. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always go to the staff. Third, always give the money personally and discreetly. Don’t leave it on car seats of taxis or motorbikes or tables in restaurants. Try to always make it personal. Fourth, make sure that you have small money. This is in case you want to pay for the exact amount. Taxis and Tipping Coming from the airport or after getting down from a bus, the first Vietnamese that would offer you service would be the taxi drivers or the motorbike drivers, depending on your preference of course. Taxi drivers, in general, do not expect any tips. You can give them the exact amount. But if you feel like the driver was exceptional, you can tell them to keep the change. However, prepare yourself for some greedy taxi drivers who would pretend that you’re not paying any attention to the meter. Sometimes they won’t return your change. But if you don’t want to tip them, ask for it back. Hotels and Tipping Hotel personnel can be the receptionist, housekeeping, bellboy, and so much more. But don’t fret, tipping in Vietnam is easy to remember whilst in hotels. There is a wide range of hotels that you can stay in – from luxury 5-stars to mid-ranged 3-stars, budget hostels to Airbnb. So how much you tip depends on how much you paid for your accommodation. The basic tip for bellboys who helped you carry your luggage to your room will be $1, but if you’re staying in a 5-star hotel, add more. The same goes for the hotel’s housekeeping crew. You can leave $1 each day when they do come to clean your room. Add more if it’s a fancier hotel. Restaurants & Bars and Tipping The next interaction that you might find yourself dealing with will be the restaurant’s waiting staff. Most, if not all, of the restaurants in Vietnam, have an included 5-10% service charge as an automatic addition to the bill. In this case, you can just round off your bill and leave your change. If the service charge is not included in the bill, tip your waiting staff 5-10% of your bill. Tipping in Vietnam is simple, isn’t it? Now, bartenders are a different thing. They have to be tipped. And not just a dollar, possibly $5 and more. For the service they give, they are not paid well and rely heavily on tips. Spas & Beauty Salons and Tipping Tipping in Vietnam spas is somehow expected as the Vietnamese are known for giving great massage services. If you go to a high-end spa, especially in 5-star luxury hotels, there is already an included tip in your bill. But of course, please feel free to tip 15-20% if the service was exemplary. Or give at least $5, especially when the tip is not included in the bill, which is in the case of non-hotel spas. For beauty salons, about 5-10% is a good tip. But if you are not satisfied with the service, it’s also okay not to give anything. Tour Guides and Tipping A complete guide to tipping in Vietnam is not comprehensive without the tour guides. And yes, of all the services mentioned above, tour guides are the only ones who would expect to be tipped, regardless of the outcome of your tour. They work hard, away from their families and their job usually takes days before they can come back home. Tip at least $10 and more if they went above and beyond. When you receive services, you might think it’s just a job for someone. But it’s not. It’s a way of living, their family relies on it for food, for rent, for bills, for good welfare. It might be the last thing on your mind when you go on a vacation, but its the first thing that these service people think of because of how much it helps them go through their everyday lives. It’s a good thing that a complete guide to tipping in Vietnam is right here at your disposal. Driver and Tipping Half of the amount of the guide would be appreciated April 07, 2023 - 15747 views Tipping was not traditionally considered a part of the culture in South East Asia in the past. However, this practice has slowly but surely established itself as an integral aspect of the culture in the area, and Vietnam is not an exception to this rule. Let's find out how much money is appropriate for tipping in Vietnam. As the number of visitors from Western countries increased rapidly over the years, the tipping culture became widely accepted and seen as an essential part of the salary for service industry workers in modern-day Vietnam. Table of ContentsShould You Tip In Vietnam? Who Should You Tip in Vietnam?Tour Guides Taxi Drivers Bellman Housekeeper Restaurant Waiter/Waitress Spa Staff Should You Tip In USD Or VND Vietnamese Currency? Should You Tip In Vietnam? There is no 100% correct response to this question, and everyone has their own opinion about this matter. You may tip employees if you are satisfied with their performance, but you are not obligated to do so if you are unhappy with their service. Since tipping is not a part of the authentic local culture in Vietnam, you are typically not required to leave a tip for any assistance you have received. In spite of this, most Vietnamese people have modest incomes, making tips from customers particularly significant for service employees. How much should you tip while in Vietnam if you want to tip? Who Should You Tip in Vietnam? Tour Guides The tour guide is expected to be at your service all day even if they have already returned home or to accompany, take care of, and assist you in resolving any issues during the day. This position also requires a great deal of experience, knowledge, and physical health; their tips tend to be the highest in the tourism service industry. Generally, a private tour guide should be tipped between US $7 and US $10 daily. However, if you are traveling with 5 to 8 people or more, it is reasonable to tip between US $3 and US $5 per person daily. Explore The City With Our Knowledgable Tour Guide Taxi Drivers Tipping a tour driver between US $3 and US $5 70,000 VND and 100,000 VND each day is reasonable, given that they will be there all day, taking care of your transporting safety and driving safely while traveling to multiple destinations. Aside from that, you may occasionally find yourself in the company of a very pleasant, knowledgeable driver who even communicates with you in a relatively good level of English. If this occurs, you may offer them a small present in exchange for a tip, and they will treat it with tremendous respect. Taxi prices usually require the precise amount of money accessible at the kilometer counter, and tipping is unnecessary. If you have a comfortable ride with a friendly & helpful driver, consider giving them a tip higher than the total. If the ride costs VND, you could pay VND and let them keep the change. Typical Taxi Driver In Vietnam Bellman A hotel's bellman will generally be the first and last person you'll interact with during your stay, providing direct service. They're the first to greet you when you check in, help you with your bags and get them to your room, and assist you with checking out and bringing your bags out on your last day. The standard amount of money when tipping them is around US $2 50,000 VND, or US $1 per piece of baggage if you have a lot. A Friendly Bellman In The Hotel Housekeeper Some believe tipping housekeeping staff is unnecessary as they are responsible for keeping the rooms tidy. However, consider leaving US $1-2 50,000 VND on a table in the room as a gift if you are satisfied with the cleanliness and convenience of your accommodation. Housekeepers In The Hotel Restaurant Waiter/Waitress Currently, the majority of restaurants in Vietnam do not include a service charge in their receipt; you only need to pay for your food and a 10% of VAT tax. Therefore, if you are entirely delighted with any service, you can tip them directly from US $1 to US $3 20,000 to 70,000 VND as a thank-you gift. Moreover, in some restaurants and cafés, there is a tipping box at the counter where you can leave some cash, approximately US $1 20,000 VND or less, as an expression of appreciation for the service you received; the money will be divided equally among the staff. On the other hand, fine dining and 5-star hotel restaurants typically add 5 to 15 percent of the service charge to the total, but only a little of this amount will be given to the staff. Suppose you were exceptionally pleased with the service, then consider giving a small gratuity to the person who served you. Have A Meal At The Hotel Spa Staff If you use the service of a high-end spa, there is no need to leave a tip because the cost is already sufficiently expensive and includes a commission for the employees. In comparison, as the service price at lower-end spas is already relatively low, it is expected to leave a gratuity of 15–20 percent of the total bill, which is equivalent to about US $5 100,000 VND straight to the staff members who satisfy your requirements. Relax At The Spa Should You Tip In USD Or VND Vietnamese Currency? Both options are open to you. However, since the Vietnam currency VND is more commonly used and serves as the primary currency in the country, it is recommended that tips be given in VND because this is the most practical option. In addition, because the value of one VND is less than one US Dollar, it is more advantageous to use the local currency not only for tipping but also for purchasing while you are on vacation in Vietnam. Even though tipping is not required in a South East Asian country like Vietnam, it is becoming increasingly prevalent as a means of expressing gratitude to those who provide excellent service. Remember that you should only give a bonus when satisfied; if not, you can choose not to tip. It's time for you to plan your Vietnam Tour with us to get an unforgettable trip! Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Hope you have a wonderful time staying in Vietnam. BestPrice Travel Image source Internet In the past, tipping was not a part of Southeast Asian culture. However, with continuous waves of tourists from Western countries, it has gradually become more of a common practice in Vietnam. While you can make someone’s day with a generous tip, you can also risk offending someone with the same action. So read on this guide on tipping in Vietnam to find out in what cases and how much you should tip to compliment your service providers. I. Is It Legal and Customary to Tip in Vietnam? Tipping is not customary in Vietnam despite it is highly appreciated. As mentioned before, tipping culture is still alien to most Vietnamese people. Vietnamese tourists hardly ever tip, simply because they don’t think it’s necessary. A large proportion of the Vietnamese’s service industry is street food stalls and family-owned businesses, who haven’t developed a clear perspective on tipping. People from such establishments might get confused or even urge you to take the extra money back. On the other hand, tipping is generally accepted and expected in more high-end restaurants, bars and spas. In big cities and tourist cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, tipping seems more common. Also, while tips are warmly welcome in major tourist destinations and big cities, people in the countryside don’t at all expect to be tipped. You may even insult someone, especially the elderly, while giving them an extra amount that they don’t ask for. Keep on reading to figure out how to tip appropriately and what might be great alternatives to tipping in some certain cases. II. Who and How to Tip? In any country, the rule of thumb is to only tip when you’re satisfied, and make sure you do it with a good attitude. Tipping in Vietnam as well as other countries is a way to pay respect and you’re expected to show that explicitly and properly. Please find below how to tip in Vietnam 1. Hotels Consider tipping when the hotel matches you well with a room of your preferences, or the staff has been tremendously helpful and friendly. If you plan to tip the hotel in general, just leave it at the counter desk, put it in their gratuity jar if they have one, or leave it somewhere noticeable in your room. If you want to compliment an individual’s work, you are advised to hand it in person to them, to make sure the amount is not splitted among staff in the same shift. The adequate amount should range from 20,000 VND to 50,000 VND. Workers from the upscale hotels 4 to 5 stars are more likely to expect tips, although it’s perfectly fine if you don’t. If you are truly impressed by their excellent services, you can also give a thumbs-up review on Trip Advisor or other travel sites. Some hotels grant employees a small rewards each month if their names are specifically and positively mentioned on such websites. If you’re staying with a host, the best is to help them tidy up your place and give them a small souvenir from your country. A promise to recommend their accommodation to your friends/relatives will also be valuable to them. 2. Restaurants/coffee Shops In some restaurants in Vietnam, a 5-10% service charge is added to the bill, forcing customers to pay a tip regardless of their perceptions of the service. Fortunately, this is only the case in high-end restaurants. Anyway, if you’re very content with the service, you can always tip an extra amount of 5-10% of the bill, even when the service charge is included. You should hand over the tip in person to the outstanding staff to make sure it fully belongs to them. While traveling in Vietnam, it is almost certain that you will try street food from small local vendors. These establishments are typically family-owned which, despite their mouth-watering dishes, don’t expect tips. Being too proud to take your extra money, on the other hand, they highly appreciate positive comments and an enthusiastic attitude. Try making a conversation, giving a thumbs-up and even asking for some photos, and they will readily call you a friend at the end of the day. 3. Bars Bars are generally considered exclusive services in Vietnam, as bars charge an averagely higher prices in comparison with restaurants and stalls. However, bartenders do not earn a lucrative income, and heavily rely on tips to make a living. Tipping bartenders is customary; an appropriate amount should be around 50,000 VND. 4. Spas Spas and beauty services in Vietnam are quite cheaper compared to services in other countries. Again, some luxurious spas may already cover your gratuity in the service charge included in the bill, and you may not feel the urge to tip an extra amount. Some less fancy spas don’t add that service charge to the bill, while still successfully delivering on-point service to you. In such cases, a tip of 50,000 VND 100,000 VND will be greatly appreciated. 5. Tour guides Tour guides play an important role in the success of your trips. Whether the tour guide is helpful, knowledgeable or friendly will determine if your trip is an over-the-moon experience, or a disastrous one. That’s why you are highly recommended to be extra generous to your tour guide, especially when traveling on a private tour. An average of 3-5 USD per day 70,000 VND 120,000 VND is sufficient, but if you are very pleased, a maximum of 10 USD 230,000 VND is still reasonable. Some tourists might even go the extra mile to give their guides a small gift from their own countries, but it’s totally up to you. 6. Taxi drivers Polite, friendly, honest, English-speaking taxi drivers are real treasures, so if you get one, reward him with a tip. Rounding up your bill is the easiest way. If a ride costs you 42,000 VND, don’t be shy to round it up to 50,000 VND. It’s unusual for your tip to go over 10,000 VND, but again, the decision is all yours. Note that some taxi drivers may assume that you want them to keep the change if it’s a small amount. This is definitely an dishonest practice. Unless you’re treated with satisfying services, make sure you ask for your change back, politely. Your money shouldn’t go to those who don’t deserve it. III. What is the Currency of Vietnam? Vietnam’s official currency is Vietnam Dong VND. The exchange rate is around 23,000 VND to 1 USD. Though US dollars are seldomly accepted in some restaurants, you are strongly advised to use Vietnam Dong for each and every of your transactions. Vietnam is a booming country, with the yearly economic growth amongst the world’s fastest. However, the average earning in Vietnam remains substantially lower than that in most developed countries. A typical worker in the service industry doesn’t earn much only around 100,000 VND 200,000 VND per day, hence even a small tip will be a considerable amount to them. Use these prices of commodities as your reference. With 10,000 VND, you are buying them a bottle of mineral water. With 20,000 VND, an average “banh mi” or a street drink. With 50,000 VND, a big bowl of “pho” or a good meal for lunch. The average living cost in Ho Chi Minh City will be slightly higher than that in Hanoi, thus if you are traveling in Ho Chi Minh City, be a little more generous. IV. Notes on Tipping A few quick notes you should bear in mind on tipping are The perfect alternative to tipping is always a bright smile, a good review on TripAdvisor, or even a thumbs-up. In general, Vietnamese people would value genuine, positive comments more than money. Think twice before you tip in the rural and suburban areas, or a senior. They will get awkward, and in some extreme cases, offended. Try to hand it over in person to the outstanding service worker you are praising. Tips are often splitted if not addressed specifically. Don’t worry if you travel on a tight budget and can’t afford tipping. Tipping is not in any case mandatory in Vietnam. Vietnam is a developing economy, which means that the majority of the population is still living on an average wage. If you truly enjoy the service, a small tip will perfectly represent your gratuity for the service provided. Make sure you carefully follow the aforementioned tips, and you’ll bring a bright smile to your service providers. Tipping for massage 3 years ago Anyone have an opinion on the appropriate amount to tip the masseuse for a one hour massage that charges 250,000 Dong? Thanks. Level Contributor 753 posts 2 reviews 1. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago In general Vietnamese do not tip. In contrast to Thailand where you often get angry looks when you don't tip, they do not ask for/demand tips. But if it is in a tourist area, western tourists might have 'spoilt' them, and they might have come to expect tips. Level Contributor 12,000 posts 254 reviews 189 helpful votes 2. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago Tipping is not part of the Vietnamese culture. Having said that the exception is where local Vietnamese will tip their hairdresser, manicurist and masseuse. I have no idea why those 3 professions get tipped by locals but they seem the only examples. For a 250,000 massage anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 seems to be the norm. Edited 3 years ago 3. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago Tripadvisor staff removed this post because it did not meet Tripadvisor's forum guideline limiting each user to a single forums screen are forum guidelines? Edited 3 years ago Level Contributor 2,067 posts 126 reviews 91 helpful votes 4. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago I have yet to get a massage in Vietnam, but I've noticed that a lot of the massage parlors in Ho Chi Minh City now have signs that state, "price includes tip." Level Contributor 4,406 posts 42 reviews 17 helpful votes 5. Re Tipping for massage 3 years ago Whenever I have a massage in SEAsia, I always have a separate tip to give the therapist directly before she/he leaves the room. That way it assures the money will not go into management's pocket as likely to happen with 'tip included'. If the charge were 250K, I'd give 50K. 6. Re Tipping for massage 2 years ago This topic has been closed to new posts due to are forum guidelines? Level Contributor 15 posts 6 reviews 4 helpful votes Massage tipping 6 years ago First trip to Vietnam and after reading posts on this Forum I came to the conclusion tipping was not necessary in Vietnam.. Just went to a spa at my hotel in District 1. I rounded my payment up which included a 10000 dong tip only to be told by the massage girl that wasn't much and I should give more? I felt uncomfortable. So in regards to spa girls what would be acceptable. Level Contributor 1,263 posts 28 reviews 49 helpful votes 1. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago Well 10,000 dong is 36p She probably relies on tips which she tucks away from the owner. But its the same the world over you give a tip what you think is fair, I would give 30 or 40,000 I think but only if she was good at it. Get ready for a stream of replies all different - Just to add, she was probably just trying to point out that 10,000 isn't much, thinking you might have thought it was a lot more, just not an easy thing to say, and the Vietnamese are the sweetest people you can meet but not always the most tactful in some situations. Edited 6 years ago Level Contributor 4,212 posts 18 reviews 11 helpful votes 2. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago That is like $ cents in USD.... I normally get a legal 60 minute message there for around 200,000 dong and tip 100,000dong. Edited 6 years ago Level Contributor 16,957 posts 89 reviews 71 helpful votes 3. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago My friend told me 50K was the right amount, but it also depends on the quality of service. You are correct that tipping is not the custom here, but very personal services are the exception. Level Contributor 15 posts 6 reviews 4 helpful votes 4. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago I paid 400000 dong for a 60 min massage and thought that was enough. I did end up tipping 30000. I will certainly tip more in future. Level Contributor 2,828 posts 64 reviews 94 helpful votes 5. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago I was told by the massage girl that I used to see that they only get paid when they have a client. If they don't have any clients that day they don't get paid at all. She told me that out of a 200,000 service she receives 40,000 and the rest goes to the company. So they rely on tips very much. I normally tip the same amount as Jax, as long as the massage was good. If not, then I'll leave around 30-50,000. A massage in Vietnam is still a fraction of the price here in the USA/Canada. She doesn't need to tuck it away from the owner, some places have you fill out a comment card at the end with a line for how much tip you will leave. Level Contributor 9,023 posts 22 reviews 12 helpful votes 6. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago Ask for an all up price in the beginning with no tips and don't budge. Level Contributor 1,916 posts 226 reviews 125 helpful votes 7. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago In SE Asia tip the massage staff at spas. More often than not I will tip in advance to avoid discussion of tip at the end of the massage. And do not hesitate to ask management the appropriate amount for a tip. Edited 6 years ago Level Contributor 12,000 posts 254 reviews 189 helpful votes 8. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago Tipping is definitely not part of the culture in Vietnam, however the exception is personal services, where Vietnamese tip their hairdressers, manicurists, pedicurists and massage therapists so if it's good enough for them to do it, then it's okay by me. Level Contributor 1,263 posts 28 reviews 49 helpful votes 9. Re Massage tipping 6 years ago Oh Techboy how naive can you get, honestly. If you don't give it her direct, she don't get it.......simple. You think otherwise, you got it all wrong. 10. Re Massage tipping 5 years ago This topic has been closed to new posts due to are forum guidelines? 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