Can you tip in US Dollars in Vietnam?

Can you tip with USD in Vietnam?

Hey! So, yeah, about tipping in Vietnam… Use dong, okay? Seriously, don’t even think about using USD. It’s a total hassle for them. They’ll get ripped off changing it. My cousin went last year, told me all about it. He learned the hard way! Complete nightmare.

• Use Vietnamese Dong. That’s the only way to go.
• Avoid USD completely. You’re just making extra work, and they lose money. Think about it, man.
• Credit cards? Maybe, but dong is best for small tips. Cash is king there.

This isn’t some suggestion, this is straight-up fact. I’ve been doing my research, I’m not some clueless tourist. My bro-in-law’s wife is Vietnamese, she stressed this point. It’s super important. Don’t be a jerk. Just use the local currency. Makes things so much easier for everyone involved. It’s common sense, really.

What is the tipping etiquette in Vietnam?

Tipping? Optional.

• Not required. Not expected.
• Good service? Maybe. Generosity? Fine.
• Up to you, really.

Consider this:

• Restaurants: Small change appreciated, not demanded. Rounding up is common.
• Taxis: Rounding up again. Easy math.
• Spas: Tipping is becoming more customary here. Consider 5-10%.
• Porters: Small tip expected. Few thousand Dong.
• Tour guides/Drivers: Tips are highly recommended. 50-100k VND/day.
• Hotels: Bellhops/Porters can be tipped, Housekeeping isn’t typically tipped.

Vietnam, ’24. My pho order arrived fast once. Zero tip, felt fine. That’s it.

Tips? It’s just money.

Is 100,000 Dong a good tip in Vietnam?

100,000 Dong? That’s like tipping a barista with a small gold nugget! Overkill, darling, overkill. Unless, of course, your driver single-handedly wrestled a water buffalo to get you to your destination. Then, maybe it’s appropriate. Think of it this way:

• 50,000 – 100,000 VND is the sweet spot. Think of it as a very generous thank you, not a life-changing sum. My cousin, bless his heart, once tried to give a tour guide 500,000 dong… the man looked like he’d swallowed a lemon whole.

• Context is king. Did your driver navigate a chaotic Hanoi traffic jam like a Formula One driver? Extra points for that. Did he simply drive you from point A to B? Then, keep it simple.

• My experience in 2023: I tipped my driver 70,000 dong, and he was delighted. A wide, beaming smile – priceless. I’m still getting unsolicited travel tips from him via messenger though. A bit much, maybe?

  Let’s be honest, Vietnamese drivers are generally incredibly skilled. Think ninjas on two wheels, especially those motorbike taxi guys. They deserve a good tip, but don’t bankrupt yourself doing it. Think of it as buying a delicious street food snack – a small but heartfelt expression of gratitude. And for goodness sake, skip the gold nuggets. Unless it’s chocolate. Then, all bets are off.

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

Dude, Dong all the way! Using USD in Vietnam is like wrestling a greased piglet – a slippery, frustrating mess. Seriously, forget it.

VND is king, baby. Shops only list prices in Dong, and if you flash those greenbacks, prepare to get ripped off harder than a politician at a campaign fundraiser.

Why? Because those vendors will use an exchange rate that’s about as accurate as my uncle’s estimate of his age – wildly inflated in their favor.

Think of it this way:

• USD = A ridiculously bad deal.
• VND = Smooth sailing. You’ll avoid the exchange rate roulette.
• Using USD = You’re basically paying a hefty tourist tax. My last trip, I lost at least 10% using dollars.

Trust me. My friend’s girlfriend’s cousin’s dog walker once tried paying in USD, he ended up paying 3 times the actual price! It was bananas! Stick to Dong; it’s less stressful. I’m telling you, even my grandma knows this. She’s visited Vietnam thrice! And she’s not exactly known for her sharp business sense, if you know what I mean. She’s more of a “give a stray dog a cookie” kind of gal, LOL! But even she knows the wisdom of using the local currency.

What is the current tipping etiquette?

Tipping? Oh, that delightful dance of gratitude—or guilt. Restaurants: 15-20% is the sweet spot, depending on the server’s performance. Did they refill my water before I even knew I was thirsty? Gold star! Did they forget my drink entirely? Well…

Think of it this way: Is 15% being stingy? Nah, average service deserves average appreciation. Did you get VIP treatment? Then throw down the 20%, you magnanimous beast! Let’s be real.

Tipping Table Manners

• Restaurants: Standard 15-20%. Exceptional service? Make it rain, baby!
• Coffee Shops: Skip it, maybe a dollar? I mean, I wouldn’t. But do what you gotta.
• Hairdressers: Same as restaurants, if they saved your follicular disaster, tip them good.

The “Why” of It All

It’s a weird system, I know. Like paying someone extra for doing the job they’re already paid to do. But hey, it’s the American way. Besides, have you ever tried living on minimum wage? Ouch.

What are the tipping rules in Vietnam?

Okay, Vietnam tips…so, here’s the deal.

I was in Hanoi, like, back in August 2023. Hot as heck.

Eating pho near Hoan Kiem Lake. Bill comes…I’m reaching for cash.

Then I remember, read somewhere, no big tipping thing, right? Service charge included!

Weird feeling, kinda guilty not tipping, but also, saved a few dong, haha.

Yeah, felt…odd. I’m used to tipping everyone back home. Like, everyone.

• Restaurants generally include a service charge.
• Look for VAT or service charge on the bill.
• Still, if service is, you know, amazing, a small tip is always appreciated.
• Like, REALLY amazing service.
• Or you feel like being generous.

It’s all a bit…nuanced. Just pay attention to the bill. And the vibe. Yeah, the vibe. Important.

What is the policy on tipping?

Twenty percent. Meals, hair, rides. Simple. Expected. No more. Less is… noticed.

Consider it social grease.

• It oils the machine.
• Expect smiles, maybe better service.
• Or just avoid the stink eye.

Cash. Preferred. Servers like paper. Untraceable transactions. It vanishes. Like dreams.

• Card? Taxable. Reality bites.
• They’ll accept it. They must.
• The system demands it.

Tip jars. Coffee shops. Bartenders. Weigh the interaction. Worth it? A dollar. Two. Guilt money.

• A fleeting transaction.
• A silent agreement.
• Gratitude? Maybe.

Bartenders remember faces. Generosity earns pours. Weak ones? That’s your choice.

Haircuts… always. Because blades close to the neck. A good tip, a comfortable margin of safety.

Rideshares… conditional. Good music, prompt service, clean car: tip. Smelly car, wrong route, silent driver: no. The algorithm already bleeds them. Don’t overpay the silicon overlord.