Tipping Etiquette in Vietnam: Ultimate Guide to When, Where & How Much to Tip

Ever wondered what exactly the tipping etiquette in Vietnam really is? Tipping culture in Vietnam has changed fast due to the rise in tourism. Although this was never a local custom, nowadays you will be pleased to discover that a small tip can be a long way in cities as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang. Tipping in Vietnam is not obligatory; however, there is never a refusal. In case you are planning your next trip to Vietnam, knowing when, where, and how much to tip in Vietnam will enable you to travel without any problems, as well as demonstrate respect for the local culture. Whether it is restaurants, taxis, guides, or hotels, this is your ultimate 2026 tipping guide to navigate your way through the new tipping culture in Vietnam.

Quick Tipping Guide for Vietnam (2025): How Much to Tip at a Glance

Service	Situation	Range (VND)	City vs Countryside	How to Tip
Sit-down Restaurants	Mid-range or basic meal	20,000–50,000	Cities: expected / Rural: rare	Cash on the table or handed to the server
Upscale Restaurants	Formal dining (no service charge)	5–10% of the bill	Urban: for excellent service	Prefer cash; check card tip option
Cafes	Bakery or small café	10,000–20,000	Urban: appreciated / Rural: unlikely	Tip jar or direct cash
Street Food/ Stalls	Quick bites or markets	Optional 5,000–20,000	Rare but welcome	Discreet handover
Taxis/ Ride-hailing (Grab, Be)	City rides	Round up 5,000–20,000	Urban: yes / Rural: cash only	Cash or in-app if available
Hotels, Bellhop	Bag handling	20,000–50,000 per bag	City hotels: yes	Hand cash to staff
Hotel, Housekeeping	Daily room cleaning	20,000–50,000 per night	Cities: common / Rural: rare	Cash in an envelope or marked “Tiền tip”
Hotels, Concierge	For bookings or extra help	50,000–200,000	Cities: yes	Direct cash (not card)
Tour guides and Drivers	Per day rate	Guides: 100,000–200,000 / Drivers: 50,000–150,000	Tourist routes: expected	Cash, often pooled
Spas/ Salons	Massage, beauty services	50,000–100,000 or 5–10%	Upscale cities: yes	Cash preferred

Understanding Tipping Culture in Vietnam: Why, When & How It’s Changing

Vietnamese hospitality was doing a good job at work without receiving additional compensation traditionally. But with the increase in global tourism, tipping in Vietnam has become a silent way of saying thanks. In places like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hoi An, a small tip means that a person is showing gratitude, whereas in the countryside, it might not be well-known. It is not mandatory for people of the region; it is a form of thank you.

Rule of Thumb: Humility is the best. Offering VND 20,000–50,000 is enough to show kindness without overdoing it.

know about Tipping

City vs. Countryside: Tipping Differences Across Vietnam

Tipping in Urban Vietnam

Tipping has been completely embraced in urban Vietnam, where there are high-end restaurants, modern spas and big hotels. Employees are accustomed to little cash signals or card rewards as a token of gratitude.

Tipping in Rural Vietnam

That is, however, not the case with rural Vietnam. At countryside homestays or small restaurants, they can refuse to take your tip or appear confused at the gesture. It is not insulting; it is merely a cultural difference.

When in doubt, ask your local guide or hotel staff; they can never be misled. In case you have booked your trip with travel experts such as Pickyourtrail, they would advise you on when and how to tip, and you will avoid embarrassing yourself or spending excessively.

Tipping in Vietnam Restaurants, Cafés & Street Food Stalls.

Restaurant Tipping in Vietnam

In the informal dining areas, it is often practised to round up the bill or to give an additional VND 20,000- 50,000. A 5-10% tip is welcome at high-end clubs that do not have a service fee. Never forget to look at the bill in relation to service charge-when it appears on the bill, one does not need to tip anymore.

Street Food & Market Stall Tips

Street sellers do not have high expectations of tips. However, when one assists you in getting a seat, changes your order or gives you an additional service, then VND 10,000-20,000 suffices.

Tipping in Vietnam: Taxis and Ride-Hailing Apps (Grab, Be)

Drivers of this type, Grab or Be, are not always carrying change, and a 5,000-20,000 round-up is beneficial to both parties. The tipping based on apps is present only in micro-cities such as Hanoi and Saigon, but not in all.

Hotel Tipping Etiquette in Vietnam: Bellhop, Housekeeping & Concierge

Among the few, bellhops, concierges, and housekeeping staff are always willing to get a tip in a city hotel.

• How Much to Tip Bellhops in Vietnam: 20,000–50,000 VND per bag
• Tipping Housekeeping Staff: 20,000–50,000 VND per night
• Concierge Tipping in Vietnam Hotels: 50,000200,000 VND, depending on the service.

In the case of luxury hotels, you can enquire whether tips are shared or personal.

Tipping Tour Guides and Drivers in Vietnam

On a daily tour, the guides typically earn 100,000 to 200,000 VND/day, and the drivers earn 50,000 to 150,000 VND/day. In case you happen to be in a group, it is only right to split the tips.

Spa & Salon Tipping in Vietnam: How to Show Appreciation Gracefully

5-10% or VND 50,000 to 100,000 is ideal when getting a massage and beauty treatment in a short time, when going spa or salon. In smaller places that are family-owned, VND 20,000-50,000 is adequate.

Practical Tipping Tips for Travellers in Vietnam

• Keep small bills handy (VND 10,000–50,000). Big notes may cause embarrassing or awkward situations.
• Hand tips directly – do not put them in hidden places. A smile and a warm welcome help a great deal in the form of Cảm ơn (thank you).
• Use envelopes or write “Tiền tip” for housekeeping, so it’s clear it’s intentional.
• Avoid over-tipping. Too much could make locals uncomfortable.
• Apps: MoMo, VNPay, and ZaloPay are widespread in large-city areas, whereas in rural areas, cash is the dominant method of payment.

Know about: Best time to visit Vietnam.

Cultural Insights: Why Tipping in Vietnam Is Appreciated but Not Expected

street food stall in vietnam

In Vietnam, service is not a profit-making aspect, but a sense of pride. The elderly generation still holds to the perception of doing the job wholeheartedly without expecting extra money. However, with the growth of international travelling, tipping is a silent expression of respect instead of a Western culture.

How Locals See It

Tips are perceived as a kind of appreciation and not a sign of status. In case you offer a lot, they may smile and tell you, Không cần đa u (No need). Modesty always feels more genuine than excess.

Service Charge vs. Real Tip: What You Should Know in Vietnam

Hotels and restaurants frequently take a service charge (5-10 per cent). It is intended to pay the staff service, and therefore, you do not need to add any extra tip, except in case of exceptional service.

Vietnamese Currency Guide for Tipping (VND to USD)

Amount (VND)	Approx. (USD)	Usage
20,000	$0.80	Café or small restaurant
50,000	$2.00	Mid-range service
100,000	$4.00	Guides, drivers
200,000	$8.00	Concierge or upscale dining

Tip: Always carry low-denomination notes; no one breaks a 500,000 VND bill for a tip!

Useful Vietnamese Phrases for Tipping Politely

Phrase	Meaning	Pronounciation
Cảm ơn	Thank you	(gahm uhn)
Xin cảm ơn	A polite “thank you”	(sin gahm uhn)
Xin cảm ơn, anh/chị	Thank you, sir/ma’am	(sin gahm uhn, anh/chee)
Bạn có thể giữ lại phần tiền này, cảm ơn	Please keep this, thank you	(bahn kaw thay joo lai fuhn tee-uhn nay)

Conclusion: Tipping in Vietnam Is About Gratitude, Not Obligation

Tipping in Vietnam stands at the crossroads between tradition and global travel habits in 2026.  It’s neither required nor rude to skip, but when given thoughtfully, it brings a smile. In Saigon, on Ha Long Bay, or at a Hanoi boutique hotel, even the tiniest tip (VND 20,000 to 100,000) is an outright sign of appreciation towards excellent service.

Do you desire to travel without Stress and would definitely know when, where and how much to tip? Pickyourtrail is a company that will guide you on the tipping culture in Vietnam with local experts who will ensure that you do not have a hard time understanding it. Book a Vietnam vacation package and have a calm, gentle, and rewarding experience with your loved ones.

FAQs on Tipping in Vietnam 2026

Is tipping mandatory in Vietnam?

No, never, in Vietnam, it is not compulsory to tip. It is a generous gesture and is mostly welcome in cities and tourist-ridden regions.

How much should I tip at restaurants in Vietnam?

VND 20,000-50,000 is ideal at the informal establishments. In high-end restaurants, a 5-10 per cent of the bill as service charge is not charged.

Do I tip taxi or Grab drivers in Vietnam?

Yes, it is polite to round up VND 5,000- 20,000, especially when the driver helps with the luggage or waits patiently until you arrive.

What’s the tipping norm for tour guides and drivers?

On a day tour, the guide should be tipped VND 100,000-200,000, and the driver around VND 50,000-150,000, all in cash.

Is it rude not to tip in rural Vietnam?

Not at all. Even in small towns, people might not take tips as a sign of courtesy. A smile and a hearty Cảm ơn will do equally well.