Tipping in Vietnam: What Is Expected
Tipping is a courtesy in Vietnam, and a small plan keeps it comfortable for everyone.
Tipping is a courtesy in Vietnam, not a rule. Keep a few small notes, read the bill for a service charge and ask any private-tour agency what the price already covers. That is enough to tip comfortably without overpaying.
When is a tip expected?
A tip is welcome where someone gives you personal service for a long time. A one-off coffee does not need one.
- Restaurants: welcome for good service, but not required, especially if the bill has a service charge.
- Private guides and drivers: welcome when the day or trip ends.
- Hotel porters and housekeeping: a small note is appreciated.
- Taxis and Grab: round up if the driver helped.
- Street stalls and markets: no tip needed.
Our suggestions here are a courtesy guide. They are not official rates, so use your own judgement.
What notes should you carry?
Carry small notes. Banknotes in frequent use are 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 dong1. Keep a few of the 20,000 and 50,000 notes for tips.
Bank Negara Malaysia’s page showed MYR 0.0158 per 100 VND on 15 October 20262. On that rate, 20,000 dong is about RM 3, 50,000 is about RM 8 and 100,000 is about RM 162. Check the rate again on the day you travel. Our ringgit cost worksheet lets you put your own rate in.
How do you read a service charge?
Look at the bottom of the bill. A line marked service charge means the restaurant has added a fee for service. In that case you do not need a full tip on top.
If there is no such line, you may round up or leave a small note. If the bill is unclear, ask the staff what each line is. A calm question is normal and is not rude.
What about private guides and drivers?
Ask the agency before the trip. Two questions help: is the guide’s tip included in the price, and what is usual for a day tour?
If you decide to tip, put the note in an envelope and hand it over privately at the end of the last day, with a thank you. Add the amount to your budget at the start. The package inclusion comparator and the guide on what to include in a package enquiry show where to ask.
How does tipping fit your budget?
Treat tips as a small line in the budget, not a surprise. Put a note in the trip budget builder so you are not short on the last day. The Vietnam trip cost guide shows the other lines.
For markets, where the question is bargaining and not tipping, read bargaining in Vietnam. The food and daily travel hub lists other everyday guides.
Tell us whether you are booking a private driver or guide, and we can help you list what the price covers so you know whether a tip is still due.
Common questions
Do I have to tip in Vietnam?
No. Tipping is a courtesy, not a legal duty, and there is no fixed rate. It is appreciated for good service, especially from private guides and drivers who spend a whole day with you. If you cannot tip, a clear thank you and a good word in a review still help.
How do I handle a service charge on the bill?
Read the bill. If a service charge line is already added, the restaurant has covered the service, and you need not add a full tip on top. If there is none, rounding up or leaving a small note is a kind gesture. Ask if the line is unclear.
Should I tip a private guide or driver?
A tip at the end of a day or trip is a welcome courtesy. Ask the agency or operator whether tips are expected and whether the price already includes them. Put the cash in an envelope and hand it over with thanks, not in front of the group.
What notes should I carry for tips?
Carry small denominations. Notes of 20,000 and 50,000 dong are in frequent use, so keep a few of each. Large notes are awkward to break, and a driver rarely has change for a big one at the end of a long day.
How much is that in ringgit?
Bank Negara Malaysia's page showed MYR 0.0158 per 100 VND on 15 October 2026. On that rate, 20,000 dong is about RM 3 and 100,000 is about RM 16. Rates move, so check the day you travel.
Do taxi and Grab drivers expect a tip?
No. Round up the fare if the driver helped with bags or waited for you, and say thank you. Agree on the price or use the meter at the start so you know the fare before you leave the car.
Sources
- Banknotes in frequent use are 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000 and 500,000 dong. Wikipedia
- Bank Negara Malaysia's exchange rate page showed MYR 0.0158 per 100 VND on 15 October 2026. Bank Negara Malaysia. Rate moves daily; it was 0.0157 to 0.0158 across 1 to 15 Oct 2026. Implies roughly 1 MYR = 6,300 VND (derived from a rounded rate).
Keep planning
Tell us whether you are booking a private driver or guide, and we can help you list what the price covers so you know whether a tip is still due.