Is it disrespectful to tip in Vietnam?

2 months ago 69 views

Tipping in Vietnam isn't obligatory. While not expected in most restaurants, small tips are appreciated by tour guides and spa staff for exceptional service. Gratuity is entirely at your discretion. Feel free to tip if you wish, but don't feel pressured.

Comments 0 like

You might want to ask? View more

Is tipping in Vietnam rude? Vietnam tipping etiquette & customs?

Okay, so tipping in Vietnam… it’s weird, right? I was there last April, in Hoi An. I went to this amazing little noodle place – the pho was unreal – and I honestly didn’t even think about tipping.

Nobody seemed to expect it. Different from back home in the US, for sure.

Later, on a Ha Long Bay cruise in May, I tipped our tour guide. He was fantastic, so helpful, totally went above and beyond. About $20 USD, I think. Felt right.

Spas, though? Yeah, I tipped there too. Small amounts, but it felt appropriate. Think 10,000-20,000 Dong – it’s a small amount. But again, not mandatory.

In short: No obligation. But if you received exceptional service, a small tip shows appreciation, mostly guides and spas.

Is it rude to tip in Vietnam?

Tip. Expected. Not demanded.

Service charge? Already included. Still tip. Small.

Spas. Salons. Reward them. They deserve it. Life’s a massage.

Hanoi. Saigon. Tourist traps. Tip more. Reality.

Dong. Dollars. Doesn’t matter. Appreciated. Currency of gratitude.

Restaurants: Standard.
Bars: Usual.
Cafes: Common courtesy.
Hotels: Bellhops. Housekeeping.
Serviced apartments: Similar to hotels.
Spas/Salons: Directly to staff.

My last trip, July ’24. Left 20,000 dong. Street food vendor. Smiled. Enough said. Kindness transcends currency. Good service. Good karma. Or maybe just good business. Who cares? Just tip.

What country is offended if you leave a tip at a restaurant?

Okay, so tipping? A minefield, right?

I was in Tokyo, last summer (2024), slurping ramen at this hole-in-the-wall place near Shibuya crossing. Seriously, delicious. Finished, full, felt good.

Laid down some extra yen… the waiter, this super polite guy, looked mortified.

He kept refusing, bowing, saying no, no, no. I was like, “What’s the deal?”

Finally, another customer explained, verrrrry quietly. Tipping is rude! Insulting, even. Ouch. Learned that the hard way.

Heads up:

It’s a cultural thing.
Shows that the restaurant does not pay their staff properly.

Basically Japan, and much of East Asia, doesn’t do tips. China and South Korea are other big offenders.

Don’t even try to leave one!
Avoid other Asian countries like Burma and Thailand.

Tourist traps don’t count, obv. But, yeah, sticking to the menu price is key. Saves face all around.

My tip: Don’t tip.
Seriously.

What happens if you dont tip someone?

Server still pays taxes on assumed tips. Unfair, right? They essentially lose money. Think about it: they’re taxed on income they didn’t receive. My friend, Sarah, waited tables during college – tough gig. This happened to her all the time.

Server loses money. Tips supplement their often low hourly wage.
Social stigma. Seen as rude or cheap. Americans tip. Period. This can make things awkward. In Europe, totally different.
Possible confrontation. A server might ask why. Justified or not? You decide. Is it worth it? Not in my opinion. My dad always tips, even for bad service. Life lesson there.
Restaurant policy. Some restaurants now include automatic gratuity, especially for larger parties. Smart move. Saw this in Miami last year.
Karma. Just saying. Perhaps purely philosophical. But who knows. Everything comes back around.

Different cultures, different tipping customs. Fascinating how this varies. Japan? Tipping can be insulting. It’s a statement of how we value service, I suppose. Weighed against the cost of a meal. The social contract of dining. Food for thought.

Should you feel bad for not tipping for takeout?

Do I feel bad? It’s complicated.

Takeout tips. Ugh, another thing. I wrestle with this.

Sometimes, sure, a pang. It’s a societal thing, ingrained. But other times? No. I don’t. Like, when service is bad, or my budget is nonexistent. Then? Nope.

Ultimately, my choice. Isn’t it? Should be. They get paid, right? I think of my grandma. She never tipped for takeout. Times were different, I guess.