Research suggests both deep and soft tissue release may aid recovery after an injury, such as an ankle injury. Massage can help: relieve pain and stiffness. improve circulation to reduce swelling 90 MINUTE BODY MASSAGE: 500.000 Vnd. 120 MINUTE BODY MASSAGE: 600.000 Vnd. Tipping + transportation fee included (please pay only the ticket price) Let me start by saying that Da Nang was our nice stop in Vietnam, and the Brilliant Hotel was excellent. Good riverside location with plenty of restaurants & coffee shops nearby. Easy access to airport and train station. Great breakfast selection (Vietnamese and European options), good wi-fi, excellent spa services. Look for a restaurant called Brezel (which serves delicious German pretzels, by the way), and you will find Radiance Spa. Trust me…it's the best place for a massage in Kathmandu! Keep in mind, massage prices are not concrete. You can negotiate the price. I opted for the package deal for 1800 rupees ($20). Which included: After 3 days of Answer 1 of 4: Hello TA's, Need recommendations on great Blind Massags in HCMC Hoi An and Danang. Many thanks. Fast Money. Whether you are an expat living in Vietnam or a traveler planning a tour to this culturally rich country, it is important to know beforehand about the tipping in Vietnam. Well, tipping in most of the countries is more like part of their culture, customs, and etiquette that a traveler always should look to follow while vacationing in that particular nation. Some countries even have rules and laws regarding tipping and it is considered as a taxable personal income. Thus, learning about the basic tipping culture of a particular country where you are planning to visit is essential in order to respect the culture as well as tourism of the nation. Is Tipping in Vietnam Common?Talking about tipping in Vietnam, well, it is not common at all in the country. Or we can say, tipping in Vietnam is not mandatory and not expected. Tipping etiquette in Vietnam is still a relatively new thing in the country’s beautiful culture. But despite that, in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, tipping is becoming a norm. Almost all the public services offered in the country are exceptional. Hence, it is advisable to give a small amount of money as a tip if you feel like the offered services to you are good. In this post, we will talk about the tipping culture in Vietnam which will help you decide where to tip and how much to tip. Vietnam travel tips The official currency in Vietnam is Vietnam Dong which is denoted as VND. The exchange rate as of February 2020 is 23,238 to 1 USD. Most of the time, you will have to pay in local currency. But, at some places especially in District 3 the US dollars are also accepted and can also be used for tips. However, I would suggest you not to give USD currency as a tip. Doing so could sometimes go against you, and some locals can consider it disrespectful. Tipping in Vietnam RestaurantsIt is important to know that many of the high-end restaurants and other eateries include a service charge in your bills. The best restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi or any other major city in Vietnam imply services charge in of 5-10% on your total bill. But, that amount rarely reaches to service staff. And even if the management decides to give it to their employees, then it is more likely to be a minimal amount. Vietnam tips, if you feel like the services are exceptional and outstanding, then it would be a nice gesture if you give some tip to the service person. You can add a tip of 10000 VND extra on your total bill. **If you are looking for incredible food in Ho Chi Minh city make sure to check out District 1 and District 2.**However, in the case of street food in Vietnam, it is not customary to give a tip, though it is highly acceptable. You can leave a tip of about 20000 VND to a vendor if you feel like his/her services and taste of the food were in HotelsAs a part of Vietnam travel, tipping to hotels is also not a mandatory thing to do. However, you can still give a tip to bellman, housekeeper, or reception person, considering the level of their service. To cleaners and bellman, you can give a tip of 20,000 VND for their great services. Whereas, in case of giving a tip to the reception, it is advisable to consider it only when you have received an exceptional service for which, they went out of their way to help you. Otherwise, you can opt-out to give a tip to a reception in TaxisSome more Vietnam travel ps Like hotels and restaurants, you are not required to give a tip to taxi drivers, especially in major cities like Hanoi, Hoi an and Ho Chi Minh City. However, you can still consider to do it if considering the nature and service of the taxi driver. In Vietnam, it’s not like that your taxi driver will get offended if you don’t leave a tip. Taxi drivers in Vietnam expect to get the exact amount displayed on the meter clock. If you receive a smooth ride and throughout your journey, your driver is polite, helpful, and honest, consider giving him some tip. The best way to do that is by rounding off the taxi fare and then ask him to keep the change. For example, if your fare is somewhere around 14000 VND, then you can make it 20000 VND and give it to the driver asking him to keep the change. It is also important to know that, some drivers assume that passengers do not give any heed to the change, and hence, they try to keep the change. Be aware of such drivers, especially the ones who were not at all good in their service. Ask for the remaining change from such drivers. Tipping in Vietnam tour guideUnlike restaurants, hotels, and taxis, tipping tour guides is a must. It is because the tipping makes half of their earning. I am sure, you can understand the struggle every tour guide faces; they have to remain far from their dear ones for a long time. If you have hired a tour guide to visit one of the incredible districts like District 1 or District 3, then no one but you can only understand their importance. And giving a small is the least we can do for them as a gesture of thank you. Therefore, if the overall experience of your tour is awesome and amazing, then you can appreciate your tour guide/s by the end of the tour by giving a tip of around 116,000 VND or 5 USD. ** If you’re looking for a good tour or just something to do make sure you check out the local markets for all the incredible souvenirs and food!**Vietnam massage tip and SalonIf compared to other countries, Spa and Salon services in Vietnam are quite cheaper. For a fact, this is one of those services for which even Vietnamese generally tip. So, you can understand that if you are making use of these services in Vietnam, then tipping is a must. Employees in salons and spas in Vietnam are generally underpaid and expect a tip for their every service. If your masseuse or a hairdresser is asking you for a tip, then you a give some without considering the quality of the service. You can offer a tip of anything between 50,000 VND to 100,000 VND to your masseuse and hairdresser. The economy of Vietnam is developing and tourism in the country has started receiving success in recent times. A majority of the population in Vietnam is still on the average wage line. Therefore, if you have truly enjoyed your service, a small tip will give no harm to your budget, rather show your appreciation to the service provider. **PIN IT** Before continuing further on who and how much to tip, there is something you should keep in mind. Keep the change? Depending on where you’re eating, the tipping culture could be vastly different. If you were to order street food and tell the vendor to keep the change, there’s a high chance that they might insist you take it back – whether through humility or confusion at a perceived overpayment – even if it’s just ten thousand Vietnamese dong. Doing as the locals do is sound advice for any travellers, and you’re unlikely to see a local tipping a street food joint so don’t worry about it too much. If the food really was that delicious, order another one or leave a few thousand dong on the side and make your escape before they have the chance to thrust it back into your palm. Eating in restaurants or cafes is another story. It’s worth keeping in mind that the waiting staff in such places often work long hours with little breaks for less than $10 a day. If you order a snack and a coffee that comes to, for example, 230 thousand dong, then it’s common to simply leave behind the remaining 20 thousand change that you’re unlikely to miss, but which could help to make all the difference for a young waitress with a family or a university course. If you’re heading to an area for a prolonged amount of time, leaving a tip each time isn’t necessary but can see you rewarded with better service and preferential treatment as a regular. Naturally, the pricier the restaurant, the more you’ll be expected to tip. Once you start to hit the high hundreds with your bill, you can start to think about tipping 10% and up for good service, though make sure that service charge isn’t included in your bill already. Fair fares and the knead for tips In any big city in Vietnam, and certainly in the touristy areas in Hanoi, finding a taxi driver that will actually use the taxi meter can be a real pain. With that in mind, it’s worth rewarding the drivers who do, with a small tip. There’s no need to break the bank; if it comes to 91 thousand dong for example, give him 100 thousand dong and don’t expect the change. They’ll be grateful for it and it might convince them to continue earning an honest living and not quote $30 for a trip that’s virtually around the corner. As anyone who has visited Vietnam will know, massage shops can be found on virtually every corner, making for fierce competition between shops and price wars that can make it easily affordable for a tourist. Massages are personal and catered for the receiver and can be tiring work. Not only that, the competition means that more often than not the masseurs can wait around for hours without a single customer, only to receive a pittance of the massage fee once the house has taken their cut. Again, tipping isn’t expected but it’s more than appreciated, so you may want to consider tipping the masseur perhaps 50-100 thousand dong on a bill of 500 thousand dong, and giving it directly to them. It won’t break the bank, but it can make a person’s day. Sweet dreams and the guide price There aren’t many things worse than not double checking your booking and arriving at your hotel weary and jet-lagged, only to discover you’re on the fourth floor and there’s no elevator. Spare a thought for the poor bell boys and porters who’ll have to lug your luggage up there! These jobs, along with housekeeping jobs in a hotel, are quite often low paying with long hours and high standards, so a tip of 20 thousand dong per bag carried or per room cleaned can go a long way. Tour guides can be very hit and miss in Vietnam. Some can absolutely make a trip, while others may carry a vibe that they’d rather be anywhere else. The amount you tip should vary with the service and length of time the tour guide is with you. For great guides who have been with a group the whole day, it’s not unusual for them to be given upwards of 1 million dong – a large amount for someone who will only earn around 15 million dong per month. If you’re not happy with the service, there’s no obligation to tip but keep in mind that everyone has good and bad days, and the hours can be long and exhausting. Use your own judgement As the locals say, it really is “up to you”. There’s no expectation of tourists to tip but it will certainly be appreciated. It can be easy to pass through a town that you’ll never visit again without tipping, but good service and satisfaction should always be rewarded. Keep in mind the amount of money people in restaurants and hotels earn and think twice before scooping those coins out of the change tray. A tip of 20,000 for the bellboy who carries your luggage to room seems ok. In big hotels, that amount is expected to be double. When I go with my Vietnamese contacts, they tip all the time. They say everyone in HCMC expects a tip. They tip the taxi driver about 5,000 VND up. If they their fare is 12,000 VND, they give the 20,000 VND note. As I posted before, they bargained with the motorbike taxi from 20,000 VND to 15,000 VND and used that 5,000 VND they saved to tip. I asked why they didn’t pay 20,000 VND. They said “The rider will expect 25,000 VND”. They tip the people who deliver things to the house about 10,000 to 20,000 VND. If the person does some fixing, the tip is 50,000 VND up. The massage is a big tip. They tip the same amount with the massage price. If they go to the 3 US$ massage per hour, they tip 3 US$. They tip 10 US$ if they buy a 10 US$ massage package. In restaurant, they tip 10,000 VND to 20,000 VND. If they eat on the street, they don’t tip. In the past, tipping was not a part of Southeast Asian culture. However, with continuous waves of tourists from Western countries, it has gradually become more of a common practice in Vietnam. While you can make someone’s day with a generous tip, you can also risk offending someone with the same action. So read on this guide on tipping in Vietnam to find out in what cases and how much you should tip to compliment your service providers. I. Is It Legal and Customary to Tip in Vietnam? Tipping is not customary in Vietnam despite it is highly appreciated. As mentioned before, tipping culture is still alien to most Vietnamese people. Vietnamese tourists hardly ever tip, simply because they don’t think it’s necessary. A large proportion of the Vietnamese’s service industry is street food stalls and family-owned businesses, who haven’t developed a clear perspective on tipping. People from such establishments might get confused or even urge you to take the extra money back. On the other hand, tipping is generally accepted and expected in more high-end restaurants, bars and spas. In big cities and tourist cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang, tipping seems more common. Also, while tips are warmly welcome in major tourist destinations and big cities, people in the countryside don’t at all expect to be tipped. You may even insult someone, especially the elderly, while giving them an extra amount that they don’t ask for. Keep on reading to figure out how to tip appropriately and what might be great alternatives to tipping in some certain cases. II. Who and How to Tip? In any country, the rule of thumb is to only tip when you’re satisfied, and make sure you do it with a good attitude. Tipping in Vietnam as well as other countries is a way to pay respect and you’re expected to show that explicitly and properly. Please find below how to tip in Vietnam 1. Hotels Consider tipping when the hotel matches you well with a room of your preferences, or the staff has been tremendously helpful and friendly. If you plan to tip the hotel in general, just leave it at the counter desk, put it in their gratuity jar if they have one, or leave it somewhere noticeable in your room. If you want to compliment an individual’s work, you are advised to hand it in person to them, to make sure the amount is not splitted among staff in the same shift. The adequate amount should range from 20,000 VND to 50,000 VND. Workers from the upscale hotels 4 to 5 stars are more likely to expect tips, although it’s perfectly fine if you don’t. If you are truly impressed by their excellent services, you can also give a thumbs-up review on Trip Advisor or other travel sites. Some hotels grant employees a small rewards each month if their names are specifically and positively mentioned on such websites. If you’re staying with a host, the best is to help them tidy up your place and give them a small souvenir from your country. A promise to recommend their accommodation to your friends/relatives will also be valuable to them. 2. Restaurants/coffee Shops In some restaurants in Vietnam, a 5-10% service charge is added to the bill, forcing customers to pay a tip regardless of their perceptions of the service. Fortunately, this is only the case in high-end restaurants. Anyway, if you’re very content with the service, you can always tip an extra amount of 5-10% of the bill, even when the service charge is included. You should hand over the tip in person to the outstanding staff to make sure it fully belongs to them. While traveling in Vietnam, it is almost certain that you will try street food from small local vendors. These establishments are typically family-owned which, despite their mouth-watering dishes, don’t expect tips. Being too proud to take your extra money, on the other hand, they highly appreciate positive comments and an enthusiastic attitude. Try making a conversation, giving a thumbs-up and even asking for some photos, and they will readily call you a friend at the end of the day. 3. Bars Bars are generally considered exclusive services in Vietnam, as bars charge an averagely higher prices in comparison with restaurants and stalls. However, bartenders do not earn a lucrative income, and heavily rely on tips to make a living. Tipping bartenders is customary; an appropriate amount should be around 50,000 VND. 4. Spas Spas and beauty services in Vietnam are quite cheaper compared to services in other countries. Again, some luxurious spas may already cover your gratuity in the service charge included in the bill, and you may not feel the urge to tip an extra amount. Some less fancy spas don’t add that service charge to the bill, while still successfully delivering on-point service to you. In such cases, a tip of 50,000 VND 100,000 VND will be greatly appreciated. 5. Tour guides Tour guides play an important role in the success of your trips. Whether the tour guide is helpful, knowledgeable or friendly will determine if your trip is an over-the-moon experience, or a disastrous one. That’s why you are highly recommended to be extra generous to your tour guide, especially when traveling on a private tour. An average of 3-5 USD per day 70,000 VND 120,000 VND is sufficient, but if you are very pleased, a maximum of 10 USD 230,000 VND is still reasonable. Some tourists might even go the extra mile to give their guides a small gift from their own countries, but it’s totally up to you. 6. Taxi drivers Polite, friendly, honest, English-speaking taxi drivers are real treasures, so if you get one, reward him with a tip. Rounding up your bill is the easiest way. If a ride costs you 42,000 VND, don’t be shy to round it up to 50,000 VND. It’s unusual for your tip to go over 10,000 VND, but again, the decision is all yours. Note that some taxi drivers may assume that you want them to keep the change if it’s a small amount. This is definitely an dishonest practice. Unless you’re treated with satisfying services, make sure you ask for your change back, politely. Your money shouldn’t go to those who don’t deserve it. III. What is the Currency of Vietnam? Vietnam’s official currency is Vietnam Dong VND. The exchange rate is around 23,000 VND to 1 USD. Though US dollars are seldomly accepted in some restaurants, you are strongly advised to use Vietnam Dong for each and every of your transactions. Vietnam is a booming country, with the yearly economic growth amongst the world’s fastest. However, the average earning in Vietnam remains substantially lower than that in most developed countries. A typical worker in the service industry doesn’t earn much only around 100,000 VND 200,000 VND per day, hence even a small tip will be a considerable amount to them. Use these prices of commodities as your reference. With 10,000 VND, you are buying them a bottle of mineral water. With 20,000 VND, an average “banh mi” or a street drink. With 50,000 VND, a big bowl of “pho” or a good meal for lunch. The average living cost in Ho Chi Minh City will be slightly higher than that in Hanoi, thus if you are traveling in Ho Chi Minh City, be a little more generous. IV. Notes on Tipping A few quick notes you should bear in mind on tipping are The perfect alternative to tipping is always a bright smile, a good review on TripAdvisor, or even a thumbs-up. In general, Vietnamese people would value genuine, positive comments more than money. Think twice before you tip in the rural and suburban areas, or a senior. They will get awkward, and in some extreme cases, offended. Try to hand it over in person to the outstanding service worker you are praising. Tips are often splitted if not addressed specifically. Don’t worry if you travel on a tight budget and can’t afford tipping. Tipping is not in any case mandatory in Vietnam. Vietnam is a developing economy, which means that the majority of the population is still living on an average wage. If you truly enjoy the service, a small tip will perfectly represent your gratuity for the service provided. Make sure you carefully follow the aforementioned tips, and you’ll bring a bright smile to your service providers. April 07, 2023 - 15747 views Tipping was not traditionally considered a part of the culture in South East Asia in the past. However, this practice has slowly but surely established itself as an integral aspect of the culture in the area, and Vietnam is not an exception to this rule. Let's find out how much money is appropriate for tipping in Vietnam. As the number of visitors from Western countries increased rapidly over the years, the tipping culture became widely accepted and seen as an essential part of the salary for service industry workers in modern-day Vietnam. Table of ContentsShould You Tip In Vietnam? Who Should You Tip in Vietnam?Tour Guides Taxi Drivers Bellman Housekeeper Restaurant Waiter/Waitress Spa Staff Should You Tip In USD Or VND Vietnamese Currency? Should You Tip In Vietnam? There is no 100% correct response to this question, and everyone has their own opinion about this matter. You may tip employees if you are satisfied with their performance, but you are not obligated to do so if you are unhappy with their service. Since tipping is not a part of the authentic local culture in Vietnam, you are typically not required to leave a tip for any assistance you have received. In spite of this, most Vietnamese people have modest incomes, making tips from customers particularly significant for service employees. How much should you tip while in Vietnam if you want to tip? Who Should You Tip in Vietnam? Tour Guides The tour guide is expected to be at your service all day even if they have already returned home or to accompany, take care of, and assist you in resolving any issues during the day. This position also requires a great deal of experience, knowledge, and physical health; their tips tend to be the highest in the tourism service industry. Generally, a private tour guide should be tipped between US $7 and US $10 daily. However, if you are traveling with 5 to 8 people or more, it is reasonable to tip between US $3 and US $5 per person daily. Explore The City With Our Knowledgable Tour Guide Taxi Drivers Tipping a tour driver between US $3 and US $5 70,000 VND and 100,000 VND each day is reasonable, given that they will be there all day, taking care of your transporting safety and driving safely while traveling to multiple destinations. Aside from that, you may occasionally find yourself in the company of a very pleasant, knowledgeable driver who even communicates with you in a relatively good level of English. If this occurs, you may offer them a small present in exchange for a tip, and they will treat it with tremendous respect. Taxi prices usually require the precise amount of money accessible at the kilometer counter, and tipping is unnecessary. If you have a comfortable ride with a friendly & helpful driver, consider giving them a tip higher than the total. If the ride costs VND, you could pay VND and let them keep the change. Typical Taxi Driver In Vietnam Bellman A hotel's bellman will generally be the first and last person you'll interact with during your stay, providing direct service. They're the first to greet you when you check in, help you with your bags and get them to your room, and assist you with checking out and bringing your bags out on your last day. The standard amount of money when tipping them is around US $2 50,000 VND, or US $1 per piece of baggage if you have a lot. A Friendly Bellman In The Hotel Housekeeper Some believe tipping housekeeping staff is unnecessary as they are responsible for keeping the rooms tidy. However, consider leaving US $1-2 50,000 VND on a table in the room as a gift if you are satisfied with the cleanliness and convenience of your accommodation. Housekeepers In The Hotel Restaurant Waiter/Waitress Currently, the majority of restaurants in Vietnam do not include a service charge in their receipt; you only need to pay for your food and a 10% of VAT tax. Therefore, if you are entirely delighted with any service, you can tip them directly from US $1 to US $3 20,000 to 70,000 VND as a thank-you gift. Moreover, in some restaurants and cafés, there is a tipping box at the counter where you can leave some cash, approximately US $1 20,000 VND or less, as an expression of appreciation for the service you received; the money will be divided equally among the staff. On the other hand, fine dining and 5-star hotel restaurants typically add 5 to 15 percent of the service charge to the total, but only a little of this amount will be given to the staff. Suppose you were exceptionally pleased with the service, then consider giving a small gratuity to the person who served you. Have A Meal At The Hotel Spa Staff If you use the service of a high-end spa, there is no need to leave a tip because the cost is already sufficiently expensive and includes a commission for the employees. In comparison, as the service price at lower-end spas is already relatively low, it is expected to leave a gratuity of 15–20 percent of the total bill, which is equivalent to about US $5 100,000 VND straight to the staff members who satisfy your requirements. Relax At The Spa Should You Tip In USD Or VND Vietnamese Currency? Both options are open to you. However, since the Vietnam currency VND is more commonly used and serves as the primary currency in the country, it is recommended that tips be given in VND because this is the most practical option. In addition, because the value of one VND is less than one US Dollar, it is more advantageous to use the local currency not only for tipping but also for purchasing while you are on vacation in Vietnam. Even though tipping is not required in a South East Asian country like Vietnam, it is becoming increasingly prevalent as a means of expressing gratitude to those who provide excellent service. Remember that you should only give a bonus when satisfied; if not, you can choose not to tip. It's time for you to plan your Vietnam Tour with us to get an unforgettable trip! Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Hope you have a wonderful time staying in Vietnam. BestPrice Travel Image source Internet

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