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How Much to Tip in Vietnam? A Complete Guide

Last Updated on 2025/09/27 by Seo

Let’s be honest—tipping can be one of the most awkward parts of traveling abroad. You feel obligated, but you’re never quite sure when, where, or how much to give.

In Vietnam, you’ll unfortunately encounter some people who expect a tip from foreigners, no questions asked.

This guide will break down everything you need to know about Vietnam’s tipping culture. We’ll cover whether you should tip in different situations, and if so, exactly how much is appropriate.

So, Do You Really Have to Tip in Vietnam?

The short answer is no, you don’t. Vietnam does not have a culture where service workers depend on tips for their income, unlike in the United States where it’s a core part of their wages.

It’s also important to know that even if you do tip, the money often goes to the establishment, not directly to your server. In some cases, tips are pooled and distributed among all staff, but even that is uncommon.

Vietnam Tipping Guide at a Glance

Here’s a quick summary of recommended tips for different situations in Vietnam. For more detailed explanations, be sure to read the specific sections below.

Place/Service	Recommended Tip (VND)	Approx. Value (USD)
Restaurants	None
Spa / Massage / Barber	Up to 100,000 VND	~$4
Shoe Shiners	Negotiable (Avoid if possible)
Hotel (Bellman)	20,000 – 30,000 VND	~$1
Driver (Private Hire)	Up to 100,000 VND	~$4
Cyclo Driver	30,000 – 50,000 VND	~$1-2
Golf Caddy (18 holes)	400,000 – 500,000 VND	~$16-20

Tipping at Restaurants in Vietnam

Restaurants are usually the first place people think of when it comes to tipping. However, in most Vietnamese restaurants, you do not need to leave a separate tip for the staff.

The servers don’t expect it. Occasionally, high-end restaurants might automatically add a service charge of about 2-5% to your bill. In these cases, it’s mandatory. There’s often no way to know this in advance, as they don’t typically advertise it on the menu.

From my experience, restaurants inside luxury hotels almost always include this service charge. Otherwise, it’s rare, so you can assume no tip is needed.

A receipt from Haagen-Dazs in Ho Chi Minh City, carefully adding a 5% service charge plus an 8% VAT.

How Much to Tip for a Massage, Spa, or Haircut

If you’re going to tip anywhere in Vietnam, it will most likely be at a spa, massage parlor, or barbershop. Policies vary: some places include the tip in the price, while others don’t.

Many places will note “Tip included” or “Gia da gom Tip” (Vietnamese for “price includes tip”) on their menu. Spas popular with tourists often have signs in multiple languages stating that tips are included.

Lately, I’ve noticed it’s become more common for tips to be included in the price. If you don’t see any signs, your best bet is to ask at the counter beforehand if a tip is expected.

How to Ask About Tipping

You don’t need to be fancy. A simple “Tip?” will do. If a tip isn’t necessary, 99% of the time you’ll get a clear “No tip” in response.

If a tip is expected, the amount can vary based on the service (foot vs. full body massage) and duration. As a general rule, 100,000 VND (about $4) is a generous tip for a two-hour service.

Unlike in other industries, staff in this field often do rely on tips as a significant part of their income. So, if the tip isn’t already included, it’s a kind gesture to leave one.

A Word of Warning About Shoe Shiners

While traveling in Vietnam, you may be approached by men who aggressively offer to shine your shoes on the spot.

First and foremost: politely but firmly refuse this service. You don’t need to be rude; a simple “No, thank you” is usually understood. They are most common in tourist-heavy areas like backpacker streets.

The problem with these services is that they often don’t state a price upfront. They’ll just point at your shoes and start cleaning them before you can agree to anything.

If you accept the service, a tip is non-negotiable, and they will often demand an exorbitant amount, leading to arguments. Tragically, a Japanese businessman was killed in Ho Chi Minh City this year after a dispute over payment with a shoe shiner.

If you find yourself in a situation where you can’t refuse, listen to their price first. If it’s not too outrageous, it’s often safer to just pay it. If it is, try to negotiate down to around 100,000 VND. It’s better to pay a small amount than to risk a serious confrontation.

Tipping at Hotels: Is It Necessary?

Tipping isn’t a standard practice at hotels in Vietnam, either. However, there is one common exception.

If you have a lot of luggage and a bellman helps carry it to your room, a tip of about 20,000 VND (about $1) is a nice gesture.

For other staff, like doormen or housekeeping, a tip is generally not necessary. Don’t feel obligated to tip just because you’re at a hotel; most guests don’t.

That said, if you’re staying for multiple nights and have left your room particularly messy, or if you ask for a special favor, a thank-you tip would be appropriate. In these cases, 50,000 to 100,000 VND is more than enough. This advice mainly applies to 5-star hotels; at 3-star hotels and below, these services might not even exist, so you don’t need to worry about it.

Do You Tip Taxi or Grab Drivers in Vietnam?

For standard taxi or Grab rides, no tip is required. When paying with cash, it’s common for passengers to round up the fare for convenience. For example, if the fare is 48,000 VND, you might just pay 50,000 VND and tell the driver to keep the change.

The one situation where a tip might be considered is when you hire a private car and driver for a tour. In Vietnam, you can’t just rent a car; it always comes as a package with a driver.

Even if you have an international driver’s license, you cannot rent a car by itself. If you hire a car through a travel agency for a large group, a tip for good service might be appreciated. Depending on the service quality, up to 100,000 VND (about $4) is plenty. The best approach is to ask the rental company about their tipping policy when you book. Most of the time, they’ll tell you it’s not necessary.

Tipping Cyclo Drivers

Years ago, the three-wheeled bicycle known as the “cyclo” was a symbol of Vietnam. While motorbikes dominate the streets now, you can still find cyclos offering sightseeing tours in tourist centers.

If you take a cyclo ride, a small tip is customary. A typical 30- to 60-minute ride costs around 100,000 to 200,000 VND (about $4-8).

Since the base fare is quite affordable, the tip doesn’t need to be large. A tip of 30,000 to 50,000 VND (about $1-2), depending on the duration of the tour, is perfectly sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tipping in Vietnam

I only have large bills. How can I give a small tip?

This is tricky. You should always try to have small bills ready for tips. If you hand over a large bill, there’s a real risk the person will assume the entire amount is the tip and won’t give you change.

While you could try using a translator app to explain, it creates a hassle for the staff member.

The easiest solution is to break a large bill beforehand. Buy a bottle of water at a convenience store or ask the front desk at your hotel to make change. You can say “Tien le” (pronounced tee-en leh), which means “small change,” and they’ll know exactly what you need.

Can I tip in my home currency (USD, EUR, etc.)?

No, please don’t. While US dollars might be accepted in major tourist hubs, it’s not a guarantee, and most other foreign currencies won’t be recognized. Locals simply won’t know the value of your home currency, nor can they easily exchange it.

I once saw a tourist cause a long delay by trying to pay with their own country’s banknotes. The staff had to pull out their phones to look up the currency and the current exchange rate, creating an awkward situation for everyone.

always use the local currency, Vietnamese Dong (VND).

A Final Thought: Please Don’t Overtip

I always tell travelers visiting Vietnam one key thing: please, do not give excessive tips. What counts as “excessive” can be subjective, but I personally believe anything over 200,000 VND is too much for most services.

You might hear a line like, “The last tourist from your country gave me 300,000 VND, why are you only giving me 100,000?”

While it’s remotely possible the average tip is that high, it’s far more likely a tactic to get more money out of you. Hearing this can be frustrating, and some travelers might feel pressured to give more, especially since the amount isn’t huge when converted.

When I ask people why they tip so much, the answer is often not about great service but because they “felt sorry” for the person. Please, for the sake of future travelers, refrain from overtipping. It creates an unhealthy expectation that can negatively impact everyone’s experience.