Is an relationship between tipping and tourism ? Can you expain this??

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ong jon

accepted ,but not necessary. that said workers in viet nam earn VERY little... so be generous when you can...

john b

I can't tell you about Vietnam but in many countries around the world the people involved in the industry are on very low basic wages and they depend on tips, sometimes called "gratuities" (grats) to make a reasonable living.

I met quite a few people in Vietnam, and told a couple of them i needed to buy something. They took me to the market on two motorbikes, and i spent about 30pence at the market. I offered to buy them lunch on the way back, they refused, a coffee, they refused.I offered to pay for fuel when one of them stopped on the way back, they refused.
They don't seem to like something for nothing, but in the restaurants/bars frequented by foreigners people expect tips

Novice

My family and I just travelled to Vietnam in August, visting many major cities along the way (Ha Noi, Sai Gon, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Da Lat, Ha Long Bay, and Hoi An.) In many places for tourists, there is already a 5% "service change" included in your bill, so tips are not required there. That said since the wage is really low in Viet Nam (it is not unusual to hear of $50 - $100 USD per month), if the service is good to exceptional, I highly recommend that you add another 5% in tip. It will be greatly appreciated.

Examples:

* room clean-up: $1 to $2 USD per day
* meal: $1 to $2 per meal
* taxi: round the fare up to the nearest USD
* per-day tour: $3-$5 per person

Hope this helps!

Easy A

I agree with most of the responses above and would add one word of caution. Do tip responsibly if you are going to tip at all. There's great danger in over commercializing what has historically been a simple life in many parts of Vietnam.

So if one over does tip- though well-intentioned, it runs the risk of creating a level of expectation on the locals that they should be getting extra money for everything they do. There's already a certain level of entitlement that is inherent to most Communist societies.

Tipping should be excercized judiciously in Vietnam and if you are going to tip- make sure it gets in the hands of the person performing the work for you- it is not a rarerity that the house pockets its workers' tips.

It's true that people make very little money and abject poverty can be seen anywhere. However, it is also very inexpensive to live in Vietnam which means you don't need a lot of money to get by. Where else can you have a full meal over lunch or dinner for less than $2 USD?

snow_anh07

In Vietnam, when you go to tourist attractions, tipping is acceptable. People see it as very generous and kind but you have to be careful. There are people especially at the market who might rip you off. As for the whole saving face answer, that is correct but it applies to families and friends. When you do business, it's a different matter.

gobobgo55

I am going in Oct. from what I am reading they, Vietnamese, take it as an insult, a gift is Ok, money is flaunting your wealth.
I am going on a 8 day motorcycle trip, the man giving me the tour ask me to bring him an Harley Davidson T-shirt, and offered to take double the price off the cost the tour. I asked if he would do me the honor of accepting it as a gift. It is all about FACE, allowing a person to maintain their pride.

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