Is $500,000 a good tip in Vietnam?

How much is a good tip in Vietnam?

Ugh, Vietnam tips, right? Ten percent is a good starting point. But honestly, I tipped way more at that fancy restaurant in Hanoi last month, the one near Hoan Kiem Lake. It was amazing! Probably 20%, maybe even more.

Should I have? I felt good doing it. The service was impeccable. They even remembered my weird coffee order!

Smaller places? Less pressure. Maybe just round up. Five bucks for a good pho isn’t too outrageous.

Here’s what I’ve gathered:

• High-end restaurants: 15-20%
• Mid-range restaurants: 10%
• Street food/smaller places: Rounding up is fine. Don’t stress it.
• Hotels/tours: Depends! A bit more complicated. Always check reviews first.
• Taxi drivers? I usually don’t. But my friend did once, small amount, and the driver was thrilled. He literally bowed.

My trip in 2024 changed my perspective, that’s for sure. Thinking about that now, makes me want to go back! Next year maybe? Hmm, need to book flights.

Anyway, don’t overthink it. A little generosity goes a long way. Especially if you’re a big spender, like me! Just kidding… kinda.

How much to tip for a Vietnam massage?

Vietnam massage tip? Forget the 10-20%. $1-2 USD is sufficient. Or 20,000-50,000 VND. Directly. Simple.

• No expectation. Culture.
• Good service? Reward. Personal choice.
• Bill or cash? Doesn’t matter. Your prerogative.

My experience: Hanoi, 2023. Paid 50,000 VND extra. Felt right.

Consider this: Tipping’s a Western thing. Vietnam’s different. But generosity is always appreciated, anywhere. A subtle power dynamic exists regardless. It is what it is.

What is a good tip in Vietnam?

Vietnam tipping: 10% standard. Exceptional service? Bump it to 15-20%.

Key factors: Location, service quality. My experience? Hanoi street food: zero tip. Five-star Nha Trang resort: 20%.

• High-end establishments: Expect higher tips.
• Casual dining: Tips unnecessary. Often, the service charge is included.
• Personal services: Negotiate beforehand. Consider local customs.
• Transportation: Round up fares. No need for excessive tipping.

2024 Update: Inflation impacts tipping practices. Adjust accordingly. My last trip (July 2024) saw increased prices, higher tips.

How much to tip for a Vietnam massage?

Tipping? Optional.

Spas/Salons: Not required.

Consider it. Gratitude whispers.

• Service: 10-20% if compelled.
• Or: 20,000-50,000 VND. Maybe skip the coffee.
• Cash. Hand to them. Feels… direct.

Why not, right?

Details:

Vietnamese wages… low.

Tourist areas? Prices inflate.

Tipping norms shift. Like sand. Depends, though.

Consider the establishment. Consider the service.

My old haunt in Hanoi? Never tipped. It felt wrong. But Saigon is diff.

Alternatives: A sincere “cảm ơn.” Always works. Most places are fine.

Do I take undies off for massage?

Underwear during a massage? Frankly, darling, it’s a matter of personal preference. Think of it like this: would you wear a spacesuit to a picnic? Probably not. Unless you’re expecting meteor showers, of course.

My personal approach? Completely nude. Always. It’s like shedding a second skin, revealing my inner… well, you get the picture. And honestly, the comfort level is significantly higher. No awkward bunching, no wedgies from unexpected contortions (those happen more often than you’d think!).

But, obviously, if you’re feeling self-conscious, a strategically placed towel or sheet can create a comfy cocoon. You’re the artist; decide how much you want to expose, and to whom.

Some options, for the less adventurous:

• The minimalist: A tiny pair of those ridiculous little cotton briefs (the ones my grandmother used to wear — you know, the ones that look like they’re from a 1950s sitcom?).
• Strategic covering: A large towel, artfully draped. Remember – less is more. Unless you want more. (I’m just saying…)
• Full-body modesty: Go full-on superhero, don a onesie. You never know what superpowers you might discover under that massage table. You know, like spontaneous levitation, or the ability to predict lottery numbers.

Seriously though, communication is key. Tell your masseuse your preferences, and trust me, they’ve seen it all. Probably. Maybe. My masseuse once told me about a guy who brought his pet goldfish… true story. Don’t be that guy.

Don’t overthink it. It’s your body, your massage, your rules. Unless there are rules, and then you should follow them. Rules are important. Like not bringing your goldfish to a massage.

Is it rude to not talk during massage?

Ugh, massages. Remember that time, last year, July? At Serenity Spa in downtown San Jose? The whole place smelled like lavender and something vaguely…fruity? I was so tense, my shoulders felt like lead weights. I’d been working crazy hours, deadlines looming, you know the drill.

Anyway, the masseuse, this tiny woman with hands like steel, started working on my back. I tried to relax, really I did. But my brain wouldn’t shut up. Work stuff. Relationship stuff. Stupid stuff. I actually mumbled something about needing more pressure, which felt awkward as hell. She just nodded, focused.

I felt like a jerk. Silence, I realized, wasn’t rudeness, it was my own internal noise. She wasn’t judging me. She was a pro. My tense body was probably a better indicator of my need for more pressure than any words.

Then, near the end, I did speak – about the amazing pressure on my neck. Felt like she’d melted all the knots away! It wasn’t a long chat. Just a brief comment. Perfect.

• Key takeaway: Don’t overthink it. Your comfort is paramount.
• My experience: Initial awkwardness due to my internal monologue. Ended with a brief, positive comment.
• Location: Serenity Spa, San Jose, CA.
• Time: July 2023.
• Personal preference: I now believe that a bit of communication is okay, as long as it’s not disruptive, but total silence is perfectly acceptable too.

What are red flags in massage therapy?

Sharp, searing pain. Not the good kind. The kind that echoes in your bones, a lingering throb. That’s a red flag, a crimson warning bell screaming in the quiet of the room. Excessive pressure. A brutal violation of your body’s sanctuary.

Bruising. Lilac shadows blooming on skin. Not a gentle bloom, no. An angry purple stain. A map of aggression. Deep tissue? Or reckless abandon? This is not therapeutic touch, this is violence disguised. Too much, always too much. My own experience, 2023, left me with weeks of aching.

Nerve pain, a jolt, a searing electric fire. That’s terrifying. It whispers of damaged nerves, a permanent alteration of your being. A violation. It screams negligence. The therapist’s carelessness has left lasting damage. I know this. I feel it still.

• Excessive Pain: Unbearable agony, not a pleasant ache.
• Significant Bruising: Extensive purple patches, not a few tiny marks.
• Nerve Damage: Shocking, electric pain, not a fleeting tingle.
• Inappropriate Behavior: Boundary violations; unprofessional conduct; making you uncomfortable. This happened to me. I reported the therapist.

The lingering ache, the phantom bruising. Memories paint themselves on my skin. The fear, a cold, clammy hand clutching my heart. This isn’t healing, this is harm. This is trauma. Avoid it. Learn.

How much to tip a masseuse in Vietnam?

Vietnam massage tip? 10-15%. Average? 10%. Exceptional? 15%. Simple.

• 100,000 VND massage? Tip 10,000-15,000 VND.
• Higher-end spa? Adjust accordingly. My last one: 20%.
• Cash is king. Don’t be cheap. Show appreciation. It’s expected.

Note: 2024 rates. My experience, specifically. Your mileage may vary. Don’t be a jerk.

Is 100,000 dong a good tip?

Okay, so, I remember this one time in Hanoi. It was probably 2023, late October. Super humid.

I was with my friend, Mark, who totally botched the airport pickup. We ended up haggling with some random driver.

We finally got to our hotel, the ‘Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa,’ after like, what felt like hours.

The guy was clearly expecting more. He kept pointing at his gas tank and grumbling something in Vietnamese. Ugh!

Mark, being Mark, just blurted out, “Keep the change!” and handed him a crumpled 100,000 dong note.

The driver’s face? Priceless. He went from annoyed to beaming in like, zero seconds. LOL.

Was it a good tip? Yeah, probably. I think it was a bit much.

• Drivers: 50,000 – 100,000 VND per day is normal, I believe.
• Guides: Similar range.
• Restaurants: Not really expected, at least in street food places.

Anyway, after that, we spent the afternoon drinking bia hoi and completely forgetting about the whole tipping drama. Good times!