Tipping on junk in HaLong Bay

From experience, can anyone give me an idea how much is expected to tip on the overnight junk? we are taking a high-end junk end of June. Are there ';pooled'; tips, or do individuals expect a tip? any advice appreciated.

thanks.

Tipping on junk in HaLong Bay

Majority of ';non-americans'; do not tip unless service has been exceptional. Ignore the ';tipping guide'; by some tour companies which claimed its ';customary'; (not true) so that they dont have to pay their staff a decent wage.

I would strongly discourage tipping in Vietnam (unless service is exceptional) ; otherwise it will just end up like North America one day when everyone is so dependent on it.

Theres also no need to tip housekeeping in your hotel, which is one of the most ridiculous american ';custom'; and yet many are so eager to export this habit.

Tipping on junk in HaLong Bay

Alison,

I would tip a few dollar for the cleaning maid that clean the room, and a few dollar for service of lunch or dinner. They worked very hard, and trust me they make very very little. I think a dollar here and there will be greatly appreciated.

Which junk did you book?

Cori

On Santa Maria they had a tip jar. We tried to give a tip directly to the only girl on board - she did heaps more work than the guys - but she insisted it go into the pool. Sort of defeats the point of tipping. We could see who was putting the effort in.

Not at all like a cruise we took where the Russian maitre%26#39;d had it whipped away faster than a magician!

cheers

Freddy

Cori, We are booked on Valentine. Since you seem to be going long after we return, wait to hear about our experience. Another Newport Beach-er posted about his experience on the Valentine and raved and after ';talking'; to others we switched from Ginger to Valentine.

I will post full trip reports of everything when i return mid-July.

And feel free to PM me after return if you want any more details. (I lived in Seal Beach for 18 years!)

Alison,

I am looking forward to your review. Where do you book your tour?

Thanks,

Cori

I booked the junk, my internal flights and some hotels with Tonkin Travel. You can do a search to see that many TA folks have used them. Their prices, in most cases, were less than i could get by going to the hotel or junk company directly.

HI,

I saw you on a post. I am going to Vietnam and for Halong was going to book on the classic Emeraude and then found out abou Bhaya and Jasmine and Valentine. Any comments on your experience?

Thanks

Hi

Do not set a precedent for this ';NON tipping country';

Even the tourism authority do not encourage this.

All ';cost-in'; to the price of the trip.

But tip at will????

cheer

Starwood,

I think it is reasonable to tip housekeeping. Turn back to look at the room when we check out. It is so messy with a wet bathroom floor.

Just make sure the tip goes to her directly and not the guy who checks the mini bar.

Look at those used wet towels and look at the clean folded ones on the rack, yes you should also tip the laundry staff in the basement !

You appeared to have been ';americanised'; !

microsoft web hosting