Yes, 100,000 VND (approx. $4 USD) is considered a very generous and good tip in Vietnam for most services, including tour guides, drivers, and spa treatments. While tipping is not mandatory, it is highly appreciated in tourist spots, higher-end restaurants, and for good service.
Tipping practices in Vietnam can vary, but it's customary to tip drivers and guides for their services. A general guideline is to tip your driver around 50,000 to 100,000 VND (2 to 5 USD) per day, per person. For guides, you can tip approximately 200,000 to 500,000 VND (10 to 20 USD) per day, per person.
Tipping in Restaurants & Cafes (20,000-50,000 VND)
That said, rounding up the bill or leaving change of approximately 10,000 to 20,000 VND is a polite gesture on receiving good service. It can be a pretty rewarding experience when you see a big wide smile on their faces and at times surprised look too haha.
Tips are also appreciated in hotels and serviced apartments - and other places where staff may not be so well rewarded, like spas or salons. The amount you tip in Vietnam will depend on where you are and what type of services you're buying. As a general rule, expect to tip around 10% of the bill.
Industry insider: common consensus says 15-20% is considered a normal tip, but honestly any amount less than 20% is considered a bad tip. If I (or the other servers I worked with) got less, we wondered what we did wrong. We weren't money-hungry monsters, though.
While tipping in Vietnam taxi rides is not strictly customary, small tips are often appreciated, particularly if the driver provides exceptional service or helps with luggage.
Unspoken rules in Vietnam emphasize respect, harmony, and modesty, requiring visitors to remove shoes indoors, dress conservatively (especially at religious sites), stay calm in public (avoiding loud confrontation), and show respect for elders. Key etiquette includes mastering chopsticks (don't pass food, stick them upright), accepting offers of food/drink gracefully, using both hands for transactions, and understanding that public affection is generally frowned upon.
As mentioned above, despite Vietnam's growing embrace of digital payments, cash remains essential in many everyday situations. Even in cities, there are still places where paying in cash is the only option. You'll need it for public buses, temple donations, and entrance fees.
In Vietnam, there are a variety of places you can choose to stay at: hotels, Airbnbs, homestays and hostels. So, for a 7-day trip in Vietnam, you can expect an expense of ₹4,000 to ₹7,000 (budget traveller) and ₹9,000 to ₹15,000 (comfortable stays).
Taxi drivers should get tipped 15% of the fare, but a minimum tip is US $2. Ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber offer an in-app method for tipping. It's recommended to tip 15–20% for a great service, 10–15% for good service, and 10% for mediocre service. Don't forget, your Uber or Lyft driver will rate you, too.
In casual eateries, the practice of tipping is informal. You might simply leave a small amount of Vietnamese Dong on the table or hand it directly to your server. For example, if your bill totals 80,000 VND, rounding it up to 100,000 VND or leaving around 5,000-10,000 VND as a tip shows kindness.
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A 15% tip is generally appropriate for service that meets expectations but isn't above and beyond. Leaving 15% at a restaurant is considered average, while many patrons choose to leave 20% or more for great service.
Typically $25, if it's a place that has multiple people participating in waiting on you(food, runners, tipped out bartenders, bussers) I usually go to about 30% to make sure my my server doesn't lose money by having to pay out other people.
US dollar is a widely accepted currency in Vietnam and most goods and services can be paid for in Dongs or Dollars. It is good to carry a combination of both at all times. It is also preferable if the dollar bills are in good condition as many businesses may refuse to accept worn out notes.
