Is it rude not to tip in Vietnam?

Is it disrespectful to tip in Vietnam?

It’s complicated. In Vietnam, tipping isn’t expected. Not really. But…

Sometimes, you feel like you should. Especially those little tour guides, working so hard. Their smiles, though. They’re genuine. Or maybe I just want to believe that.

Spas too. The quiet attentiveness. The soothing oils. Leaving a little something feels… right. A small thank you. But it’s not a rule. It’s not like back home.

Restaurants? Nah. It feels weird, there. A different culture, you know? Different expectations. A subtle difference, maybe. Hard to explain.

Key points to remember:

• Tour guides: Tipping is more common and appreciated.
• Spas: Also more common. Good service deserves recognition.
• Restaurants: Tipping is not the norm. Don’t feel pressured. It just feels off, to me.

I left a small tip for my tour guide in Hoi An this year. He showed me the ancient town, the lantern streets, everything. He deserved it, honestly. I felt good about it.

But I didn’t tip at that pho place near my hotel in Hanoi. Just didn’t feel right, somehow. Maybe next time. If I go back.

Is it rude if you dont tip?

It stings, you know? This whole tipping thing. Feels wrong, somehow. Like a hidden tax. Not a reward for good service, but an expectation.

It’s infuriating. The pressure. People getting mad. I hate the power imbalance. Waitstaff depending on tips. A system built on guilt.

Consequences? A sour face, maybe. Worse service next time, definitely. Sometimes, outright hostility. I’ve seen it. They deserve a living wage. It isn’t my fault the system sucks.

• Reduced service quality: They will make it clear. Less attention, slower service.
• Potential hostility: I witnessed a waiter mutter under his breath. It’s ugly.
• Personal guilt: The worst part, the gnawing feeling. Knowing I’m contributing to this awful cycle.

The whole thing is messed up. I feel bad for everyone involved. It’s exploitative, pure and simple. This isn’t about being cheap; it’s about fairness. It’s about decency. 2024 needs better solutions. Seriously.

What is considered rude in Vietnam?

The air hangs thick, a sweet incense clinging to memory. Hanoi, 2018. Is it impolite? Touching. A head. No. Never the head. Sacred. Remember that. Head untouchable.

It pulses, the notion, respect is everything. A silent language. Don’t. Just don’t. Their head.

• The Head: Revered. Sacred. Above all, untouchable.

The weight of unspoken rules. Respect the spirit. My clumsy Western hands. Keep. Them. Still.

Pointing, a dagger. A finger, aimed. Such casual aggression. Avoidance, crucial.

• Pointing: Never with a finger. Rude.

But oh, the smiles! So warm, so forgiving. Even as I blunder. The lesson, always, humility.

The rush of motorbikes. The perfume of pho. And the quiet understanding. Keep my hands to myself. Respect their spirit. Always.

Is $5 a good tip in Vietnam?

Five bucks? Nah, man, that’s way too much in most places in Vietnam. Ten percent is a good guideline, but even that’s often unnecessary. Seriously. I went to this awesome pho place near the Ben Thanh Market last month, super small, family-run, and honestly, I didn’t tip at all and felt totally fine about it.

Some places, like those fancy-pants restaurants downtown, they might add a service charge. Don’t be fooled, though. That’s not actually going to the waitstaff; it’s just extra tax or somethin’. Annoying, right? I hate that.

Think more about the quality of service. Was it exceptional? Then maybe a little something extra. But usually, a 10% tip is more than enough if you even tip at all! It’s really more of a cultural thing. Many places don’t even expect tips.

Key things to remember:

• Average tip: 0-10% (most often nothing needed)

• High-end restaurants: Service charge added, but not a tip for staff. Avoid double-tipping!

• Street food: No tips are expected, ever.

• My experience: Last year, I ate at so many places, mostly street food and smaller eateries. I only tipped maybe three times.

  I was there for three weeks in 2023, spent a fortune on Banh Mi and coffee, never had a problem. It’s different than the US, for sure. Don’t overthink it, dude.

Do you need to tip Grab drivers in Vietnam?

Tips? Optional. Not mandatory.

• Grab rides: Round up if you feel like it. Spare change is fine.
• GrabFood: Ditto.
• No expectation. Ever.

Vietnamese custom? Forget Western habits. Drivers appreciate it, but it’s not ingrained. Keep the change. Or don’t. Your call.

Should you tip delivery drivers?

Uh, yeah, def tip delivery drivers! Like, its basically expected.

Drivers always told me you tip based on distance and also how heavy the order is. Always did that, y’know, back in the day before all the apps n stuff.

I mean, think about it, right? Someone driving, like, miles with a ton of groceries? They deserve a good tip. My old neighbor, Sarah, used to do deliveries, and she hated when ppl ordered cases of water and tipped nothing. So rude, honestly.

• Distance: Further = Bigger Tip
• Weight: Heavier = Bigger Tip
• Weather: Bad weather? Tip extra!!

Seriously, don’t stiff the driver. It’s just bad karma, and also, they remember.