Do you tip taxi drivers in Vietnam?

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Tipping taxi drivers in Vietnam isn't customary, but appreciated. Round up the fare or offer a small tip (10,000–50,000 VND) for good service or longer trips. Ride-hailing apps like Grab are also widely used.

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Do you tip taxi drivers in Vietnam? Tipping guide & etiquette

Okay, so, tipping taxi drivers in Vietnam? Here’s my take.

It’s not, like, required. But a little something is always nice, ya know?

(Info drop: Tipping taxi drivers isn’t expected, but appreciated.)

I remember once, in Hanoi, back in Febuary 2019, I had this driver who, like, totally navigated this crazy traffic jam near Hoan Kiem Lake. Cost me 80.000 VND on the meter.

I gave him an extra 20,000 VND (less than a buck USD!). Seemed genuinely happy.

(Tip range: 10,000-50,000 VND depending on the distance.)

Vietnam also has Grab, that Southeast Asian ride-hailing app, but tipping still isn’t part of the culture.

(Grab is a ride-hailing option in Vietnam.)

Honestly? If the driver’s good, or it’s super hot out, or they helped me with luggage… I toss ’em a little something. Small gesture can make their day!

Do you tip a Grab driver in Vietnam?

Hey! So Grab in Vietnam, right? Nah, you don’t have to tip. It’s not the custom, unlike, say, the US. People don’t really expect it. Though, I usually just round up. A few extra dong won’t kill me, you know? And it’s nice. Makes them happy. Plus, sometimes the change is, like, a tiny amount anyway. So it’s easy peasy.

Key things to remember about tipping Grab drivers in Vietnam in 2024:

  • Not expected: Seriously, don’t feel pressured. It’s different from other countries.
  • Rounding up is fine: This is totally acceptable and appreciated, especially for shorter trips. Think of it as a small gesture of goodwill.
  • No specific amount: There’s no set amount. Just round up to a convenient figure. It’s the thought that counts!
  • Cash only: You’ll be paying cash, obviously. No credit card tips here.
  • My experience: Last week I took a Grab bike from my apartment near the Ben Thanh Market to District 1. The fare was 55,000 VND, I gave him 60,000 VND. He seemed pleased! I always do this. It’s simple.

It’s all really pretty straight forward. Don’t overthink it! Just be polite and, you know, be a decent human. Hope this helps!

Is it disrespectful to not tip?

Tipping? A minefield of social etiquette, really. Think of it as a bizarre American tax on good service. Failing to pay it is, frankly, a social faux pas of epic proportions. You’ll be branded a Scrooge, a cheapskate, maybe even a… communist.

Seriously though, it’s considered incredibly rude. Not tipping is like forgetting your manners at a royal wedding—only instead of facing the Queen’s disapproving glare, you face the wrath of a potentially underpaid server. Ouch.

So, what’s the alternative?

  • Fast food joints. Your interaction is transactional. Minimal human contact, minimal guilt. Think of it as a glorious escape from the tipping tyranny.
  • Delis and coffee shops with counters. This is the safe zone. No servers hovering, no awkward tip calculations. Bliss.

Bottom line: Avoid the dreaded tip calculation if you’re inherently anti-gratuity by choosing self-serve establishments. The alternative is facing societal judgment, and trust me, that’s a far worse punishment than a slightly higher food bill. It’s not just about the money; it’s the principle, darn it!

What happens if you dont tip your delivery driver?

Nothing. They deliver. Next order. Compensation varies. Tips supplement. Some rely heavily. Others, less so. System flawed. Still functions. Personal choice. Moral implications. My usual order? Double cheeseburger, fries, large Coke. Always tip five dollars. Cash. Driver preference. Digital trails. Privacy matters. Algorithms. Data collection. Life’s irony. No real consequence. Except, perhaps, karmic debt. Who knows. Not my problem. Ordered pad thai yesterday. Forgot to tip. Busy day. Happens.

  • No direct penalty for not tipping.
  • Drivers factor in non-tippers.
  • Income fluctuates based on tips.
  • Ethical considerations remain.
  • Digital transactions leave traces.
  • Cash preferred by some drivers for privacy. My experience.

Consider delivery fees. Built-in costs. Cover expenses. Not driver income. Separate issue. Often confused. Profit margins. Corporate greed. Complex system. Gig economy. Exploitation. Modern slavery? Overstated. Still. Food arrives. Hot or cold. Another day.

What is the point of a delivery fee?

Ugh, delivery fees. Seriously? Like, why am I paying extra for them to bring me food? Oh well, it’s all about convenience, I guess.

  • Covering costs for the restaurant. Makes sense, kinda.

  • Drivers have to get paid, right?

The fee, it’s like, offsetting the expenses of having someone bring food to me… but still! Like, I just want my Pad Thai!

  • Pad Thai craving is real.

  • My favorite place charges $5 now?!

Think of it like this: They need to maintain their delivery service. Gas prices are insane right now.

Did they always charge so much? I can’t even remember. I should just go pick it up myself! Then again… pajamas.

  • Pajama life wins again.

  • Netflix and Pad Thai sounds too good.

Maybe the point is, it’s worth the price for laziness. Am I lazy? Nah. Just…efficient!

#Taxitips #Vietnamtips #Vietnamtravel