Tipping in Vietnam
Appreciated, not requiredVND (₫)
Here's the tip.
Not a local custom, but tips are welcomed in tourism.
Vietnamese people do not tip each other, and there is no expectation at a street food stall or a local café. In the tourism economy — guides, drivers, hotel staff, cruise crews — small tips are normal, appreciated and a meaningful supplement to low wages.
At a glance
- RestaurantsOptionalRound up, or 5–10%
- CafésOptionalRound up
- BarsOptionalRound up
- TaxisOptionalRound up
- Hotel portersCommon20,000–50,000₫ per bag
- HousekeepingOptional20,000–50,000₫ per day
- Tour guidesCommon100,000–200,000₫ per person, per day
- Private driversCommon100,000–200,000₫ per day
- Boat & yacht chartersCommon100,000–200,000₫ per person, per day
Card tipping. Card tipping is not really a thing in Vietnam. Tip in cash, in dong rather than dollars.
- Tip in dong. US dollars are accepted in some tourist businesses but at a poor rate, and small dollar bills are hard for staff to change.
- Upmarket restaurants and hotels may add a 5% service charge plus 8–10% VAT.
- Street food and local eateries are not tipped.
Tip calculator
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VIETNAM
The tipping cheat sheet
- RestaurantsRound up, or 5–10%
- CafésRound up
- BarsRound up
- TaxisRound up
- Hotel porters20,000–50,000₫ per bag
- Housekeeping20,000–50,000₫ per day
WhatTheTipwhatthetip.com/vietnam
Common questions
- Do you tip in Vietnam?
- Not a local custom, but tips are welcomed in tourism. Vietnamese people do not tip each other, and there is no expectation at a street food stall or a local café. In the tourism economy — guides, drivers, hotel staff, cruise crews — small tips are normal, appreciated and a meaningful supplement to low wages.
- How much do you tip at a restaurant in Vietnam?
- Round up, or 5–10%. Round up at local places, 5–10% at a nice restaurant. Nothing is expected at a bánh mì cart or a local quán. At a proper sit-down restaurant aimed at visitors, rounding up or leaving 5–10% in cash is normal and well received. Check for a service charge line before adding anything.
- Can you tip by card in Vietnam?
- Card tipping is not really a thing in Vietnam. Tip in cash, in dong rather than dollars.
Other destinations
Editorial review pending. These figures reflect widely reported norms for Vietnam and have not yet been checked against cited sources.