Can I tip in USD in Vietnam?

Can you tip in US Dollars in Vietnam?

Dollars accepted. Dong preferred. Exchange hassle. Value lost. Local economy benefits. Your dollar inflates their prices. Think about it. I once tipped a cyclo driver 20,000 dong in 2024. He smiled.

• Dong (VND): Their currency. Simpler.
• Dollars (USD): Accepted, but inconvenient. Extra step.
• Exchange Rate: Fluctuates. They lose out.
• Local Impact: Dong stays in Vietnam. Builds their economy.

My Hanoi street food vendor in 2024 appreciated the 50,000 dong tip. More than the food, maybe. Who knows. Perspective.

What are the tipping rules in Vietnam?

Restaurant tipping, Vietnam? Nah, don’t worry ’bout it. Service charge, VAT, all that jazz, already included. Like, last year, went to Hanoi, fancy pho place. Bill came, no tip line. Just paid the total. Done. My friend, Sarah, she always overtips, you know? Even when we’re not in the US. I had to tell her, no need here!

• Tipping not expected in Vietnam.
• Service charge/VAT usually included.
• Applies to most restaurants and bars.

Went to this rooftop bar, Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City. Amazing views, expensive drinks. Still no tip expected. Paid with my credit card. So easy. Unlike that time in Bangkok… different story. Had to calculate the tip… annoying. Back to Vietnam, think of it like, you know, buying groceries. The price is the price.

• Simpler than other countries.
• No need to calculate percentages.
• Just pay the bill as is.

Now, street food, that’s even more straightforward. Few thousand dong, hand it over, you’re good to go. Best banh mi I ever had, tiny stall near our hotel, District 1. No tipping there either. Sarah tried to leave some change, the lady looked confused, haha!

What is the tipping etiquette in Vietnam?

Tipping in Vietnam? It’s a slippery slope, like navigating a rice paddy in flip-flops. Officially? Nope, no ingrained tipping culture. Think of it as a delightful surprise, not an expectation.

Key takeaway: Tipping isn’t mandatory; it’s discretionary. Like choosing between pho and bun cha – both delicious, but totally different.

However, good service deserves recognition. A small tip shows appreciation, especially in touristy areas. Think of it as leaving a little thank you note, only in dong.

Consider these scenarios:

• Exceptional service in high-end restaurants: A 5-10% tip is perfectly acceptable. Think of it as rewarding that perfectly seared steak.
• Hotels: Not generally expected, unless you’ve received above-and-beyond service from bellhops or housekeeping. A small token is fine. We’re talking a couple of dollars, not a king’s ransom.
• Taxi drivers, cyclo drivers, tour guides: Rounding up is fine – even generous – but don’t feel pressured. It’s all about the vibe, darling. My cousin, who lived in Hanoi for three years, rarely tipped them. He’s a cheapskate, but he survived.
• Street food vendors: No need! Think of it like leaving a tip for the guy who sells you your morning coffee.

Important note: Avoid large tips; it can sometimes be awkward and even misinterpreted. Small gestures of generosity go a long way, in Vietnam as much as anywhere else. Plus, I once accidentally gave a street vendor a fifty-thousand dong note. He looked at me like I’d offered him a small pony! It was priceless.

Remember, it’s 2024, and while some things are timeless, tipping etiquette, like fashion, is always evolving. Use your judgment. Enjoy Vietnam! And don’t forget the spring rolls!

What is an acceptable tip in Vietnam?

10%. Standard.

Higher for exceptional service. 15-20%. Worth it.

Street food? Nah. Maybe round up.

High-end restaurants? Expected.

Taxi? Round up, or small change. Convenience.

Tour guides? $5-10 per day. Depends on group size. Knowledge has a price.

Spa treatments? Similar to restaurants. Relaxation isn’t free.

Bellhops? Dollar or two. Effort deserves reward.

• 10% baseline. Easy math.
• More for more. Simple.
• Context is key. Think.
• Small change adds up. Reality.
• Don’t overthink it. Live.

My personal rule: Did they add value? Tip. Did they just do their job? Standard 10%. Saw something truly special? 20% easy. Once tipped a tour guide $20 extra. Showed me hidden waterfalls. Priceless.

Is it better to use US dollars or Dong in Vietnam?

Hanoi, 2023. Hot. Sticky. Ben Thanh Market. Sensory overload. Tried paying dollars for a silk scarf. Lady laughed. Rip off. Big rip off. Used Dong after that. Way better.

• Dong is better.
• Prices in Dong. Always.
• Dollar exchange rate? Terrible. Vendors win. You lose.
• Lost like, maybe, five bucks on that scarf? Ugh.

My hotel, the Hanoi Emerald Waters Hotel & Spa. They exchanged dollars. Rate better than market. Still not great. Used my Visa debit card at ATMs. Got Dong. Best rates. Always get Dong. Went to Sapa after. Same thing. Dong rules. Dollars drool. Even small places took cards. Credit card fees…annoying. Debit card better. Learned that fast. Travel tip: Check your bank’s international fees. Mine? Awful. Switched banks after the trip. Now, no fees. Win.

What is the policy on tipping?

Twenty percent? Pshaw. That’s like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight. Inflation’s a beast. More like 25%, minimum. Think of it as hazard pay for dealing with me. Just kidding… mostly. Unless the service is truly dreadful. Then it’s like, 15%, and a pointed stare.

• Restaurant: 25% (or more if they remember your weird coffee order). Especially if they refill those bottomless fries without you asking. That’s talent.
• Haircut: 20-25%. My stylist practically rebuilds my head every time. She deserves a medal, not just a tip.
• Rideshares: Okay, this one’s tricky. Depends on if they try to talk to me. If they respect my brooding silence, 25%. If they try to pitch me their cryptocurrency, 10%. And a bad review. No, 5%.
• Delivery: Even more complicated. Rain, snow, heatwave? Thirty percent, easy. Delivered to the wrong house? Five percent. And I’m keeping the food. It’s called a convenience fee, right?

My friend Dave once tipped a street performer with a half-eaten hotdog. Don’t be like Dave. Unless the street performer is a hungry dog. Then, you know, go for it. Just make sure it’s beef. My dog, Princess Fluffybutt III, only eats organic beef. Spoiled, I know.