Vietnam Resort Tipping: Rates, Customs, and Who to Thank
Tipping culture in Vietnam is evolving. Here is a clear, practical guide to who to tip, how much, and how to do it without causing awkwardness.
Tipping is not traditional in Vietnamese culture — it is a practice imported largely through tourism, and attitudes toward it vary significantly by context. At a street food stall, a tip would likely be refused with polite confusion. At a five-star resort, it is expected by staff who factor gratuities into their income expectations. Here is how to navigate the difference.
At the Resort
- Housekeeping: 20,000–50,000 VND ($1–2) per night, left daily with a note. Daily tipping ensures the right person is thanked, since room assignments rotate.
- Spa therapists: 50,000–100,000 VND ($2–4) for a treatment. Massage therapists at luxury resorts rely on tips to supplement modest wages.
- Waiters: Rounding up the bill or leaving 50,000–100,000 VND for attentive service is appreciated but not mandatory. Check whether a service charge is already included.
- Butler or concierge: If they genuinely help with something — a difficult restaurant reservation, a last-minute boat trip, arranging something special — 100,000–200,000 VND is appropriate.
- Bellboys: 20,000–30,000 VND per bag, at departure.
Outside the Resort
- Tour guides: $5–10 per person per day for a private guide; $2–3 for group tours.
- Taxi/Grab drivers: Rounding up is appreciated but not expected. Grab fares are fixed; taxi meters are sacred.
- Restaurant (independent): 10% if service was good and there is no service charge. Leave it on the table, not in the bill wallet (which goes to the restaurant, not the server).
How to Give
Always tip in cash (VND when possible), with both hands, and with a "cảm ơn" (thank you). Money handed with one hand or thrown on a surface is considered rude. An envelope or small paper fold is more elegant than coins left on a tray.
