Are you supposed to tip in Vietnam on Reddit?
Tipping in Vietnam isn't mandatory or widely expected. While not required, rounding up the bill or offering a small gratuity for exceptional service is appreciated, especially in tourist areas. Check your bill for included service charges to avoid double-tipping.
Should I tip in Vietnam? Reddit Advice?
Okay, so tipping in Vietnam… Huh. It’s tricky. Reddit’s all over the place on this.
Officially, no, it’s not expected. I’ve been to Hoi An twice, in March 2022 and October 2023, and honestly, service was usually pretty good.
But here’s my take. I always tip for exceptional service. Like, that time in a tiny cafe near the Japanese Covered Bridge (Hoi An, March 2022) the owner went out of his way to explain the menu in English. A small tip felt right. Maybe 20,000 dong.
So, no hard and fast rule. Just depends on the experience. Great service? Small tip shows appreciation. Bad service? Nah. Simple as that.
Do I tip in Vietnam on Reddit?
Tipping? Nah. Vietnam isn’t that kinda place. Smile’s worth more.
- Tipping not required. Never expected.
- Service charge: Upscale places, maybe. Check the bill.
- Rounding up? Tourist zones, fine. Don’t sweat it.
- Manners matter.Xin chào goes further than đồng.
Pay attention. Servers get paid wages. Tips mess with that. My Pho cost 30,000. Paid 35,000. That’s it. End of transaction. What’s it all about?
Consider cultural impact. Tipping can inflate prices. Harms locals. My sister tipped. Regretted it. The server seemed confused, maybe insulted. Small change is OK. Just keep it small, you know? Orphanages take donations. Direct aid. Makes sense.
You’re overthinking this. Live a little!
Ethical considerations. Are you helping? Or distorting? Street vendors don’t expect it. Buying Banh Mi, just pay the price. Don’t make a fuss. Keep it casual. Think long term. Tourism’s impact lingers.
Learn to say “thank you.” It’s free. And it works.
Is 500,000 dong a good tip in Vietnam?
500,000 VND tip? Depends.
Consider service. All-day, exceptional? Maybe.
River cruise? 20,000-60,000 VND max, if anything. It’s Vietnam.
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Context is Key: Service quality matters.
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Tour Length: Longer demands larger tips.
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Private vs. Group: Private guides expect more.
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Expectations: Tipping’s not mandatory; it’s extra.
I tipped my guide a bit more, tho. He knew my aunt’s village. Small world, huh?
What is a typical tip in Vietnam?
Vietnam tipping: Forget the 10% rule.
High-end places? Service charge added; staff don’t see it. My experience: Zero tips.
Consider this: Local custom, not expectation. Small gestures appreciated more.
Alternatives to cash: Genuine smiles, a thank you in Vietnamese.
- High-end restaurants: Service charge is not a tip.
- Casual eateries: Tipping isn’t customary. I’ve never done it.
- Exceptional service: Small extra cash, optional.
- Don’t tip: Unless service was genuinely outstanding.
- 2024 Update: Practices remain consistent with my observations.
My last trip, July 2024, confirmed this. Hanoi, mostly.
Should I tip my driver in Vietnam?
Okay, so, Vietnam taxis… Right, lemme tell you about Da Nang, last summer. August 2024, crazy hot. Landed at the airport, bags were HEAVY. Seriously, I had like, way too much stuff.
Got a Mai Linh cab, right? The driver, Mr. Linh, was a total legend. Helped me wrestle my suitcase – the big blue one, the one with the broken wheel – into the trunk. He even found a bungee cord to keep it from exploding open on the way to my hotel.
The ride was, like, 45 minutes? Long, sweaty minutes. We chatted a bit – his English was way better than my Vietnamese, that’s for sure. He pointed out cool stuff, the Dragon Bridge, beaches, local food places, the whole shebang. I remember thinking, “Wow, so cool!”.
When we got to my hotel in An Thuong, the meter read 280,000 dong or something. I just handed him 350,000. He looked surprised, I think. Honestly, he deserved it. Plus, I felt kinda bad for the broken-wheel suitcase situation. “Keep the change,” I mumbled, probably way too loudly.
So yeah, should you tip in Vietnam? I did. For good service, definitely. Luggage help? Extra tip. Short trips? Round up! It just feels right.
Here’s what I picked up about tipping cabs there:
- Longer trips: 10% feels right if they did a good job.
- Luggage help: Yeah, definitely tip more. Like, at least 50,000 dong.
- Short hops: Round up to the nearest 10,000 or 20,000 dong. Easy peasy!
- Metered fares only: Always make sure they use the meter. Negotiating before is a nightmare.
- Cash is king: They don’t do cards, or they “forget” their machine…
- Feel it out: It’s not mandatory, but it’s appreciated, especially if they go above and beyond.
- Mai Linh or Vinasun: Reputable companies, easier to deal with, I think.
- Don’t overthink it: Just be generous if you can afford it. It makes a difference.
- Language Barrier: Get the hotel to write the address for the driver.
How much do you tip a driver in Vietnam?
Ugh, Vietnam… 50,000-100,000 dong a day? That’s like, what, three bucks? Seems low, right? Especially if they’re hauling my luggage around all day. Maybe more for longer trips. My last trip was brutal, honestly. That driver, though, amazing. Spoke almost no English but somehow got me everywhere on time. Total lifesaver. Deserved a bigger tip.
Should I have given more? Damn. I felt cheap afterward. Next time, I’m doubling it. Minimum. Good service deserves recognition. Especially when you’re lost in a foreign country, navigating crazy traffic. Seriously, the traffic in Hanoi is insane!
Private drivers, though? Is that different from taxi drivers? Taxi drivers… I usually just round up. I hate dealing with change in another country. So much easier to just pay a bit extra. What’s the exchange rate again? Ugh. Maths is hard.
Key takeaway: More than you think. At least 100,000 VND per day. For excellent service, way more. Think about it– its just a few dollars. Don’t be a cheapskate.
- Private drivers: 100,000-200,000 VND minimum per day. Seriously.
- Taxi drivers: Round up. Always.
- My next trip is in December, I’m budgeting extra for tips.
- I hate being that tourist who doesn’t tip enough.
- It’s about showing appreciation, people!
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