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Tipping Culture - How To Tip In Laos ?

Friday, September 06, 2024 Useful infos Noah

Is tipping culture normal in Laos?

If you're wondering whether tipping in Laos is customary during your trip, you're not alone! Many international travelers have the same question when visiting this beautiful "Land of a Million Elephants." While tipping culture is not widespread in Southeast Asia, it has started to gain traction with the influence of tourism. Before tipping in Laos, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the Laos currency and exchange rates to determine an appropriate amount. Here’s a complete guide to Laos tipping culture for travelers around the world!

I. Is tipping culture normal in Laos?
II. Should you tip in USD or LAK (Laos currency)?
III. How to tip in Laos?
IV. Notes on tipping in Laos

I. Is tipping culture normal in Laos?

In fact, tipping in Laos is not mandatory. You are not obligated to leave a tip if you are not satisfied with the services.

With the growth of tourism, the tipping culture in Laos is gradually becoming more common, especially in tourist destinations like Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Leaving a tip in Laos is a way to show your appreciation for the service you received, motivate workers, and help them increase their daily income. It’s a thoughtful gesture to consider during your trip to Laos.

However, there is no rule that requires you to tip in Laos, and visitors who choose not to leave one will not be criticized.

Tipping in Laos is not obligatory

II. Should you tip in USD or LAK (Laos currency)?

Once you decide to tip in Laos for services, the recipient will be pleased, whether it's in USD or Lao Kip (LAK). US dollars are also widely used and accepted in larger cities in Laos.

However, tipping in LAK is often more convenient for the recipient, as they can use the money directly without having to pay currency conversion fees.

Additionally, Lao Kip has a lower conversion value compared to USD. By using Lao Kip, you can better control the amount you tip for a service, avoiding mistakes such as giving an excessive tip in Laos, which could increase your travel expenses.

Tipping in LAK or USD is both accepted in Laos

III. How to tip in Laos?

When tipping in Laos, you’ll notice that locals will thank you by placing their hands together and slightly bowing their heads. This gesture will bring you joy as well. Here’s a guide for visitors on who to tip in Laos and how much is appropriate. However, it’s important to remember that tipping in Laos is not mandatory; if you’re not satisfied with the service, you can choose not to leave a tip!

1. Tipping in hotels

Depending on the hotel in Laos where you stay, whether it's 2-star or 5-star, tipping levels usually range between 20,000 and 50,000 LAK (around 1 to 2.5 USD).

You can tip the bellboy around 1 USD each time they assist you.
For housekeeping staff, you can leave around 1 USD, or 20,000 LAK, per day when your room is cleaned.

Note that most hotels in Laos already add a 10% service charge. However, if the staff provides exceptional service, you can leave a tip to show your gratitude and help increase their income.

You can tip hotel staff directly in Laos

2. Tipping in restaurants

Restaurant workers in Laos don’t earn very high wages, so if the service is good, it’s highly appreciated to tip them directly.

In general, you can leave a tip in Laos restaurants if you’re happy with the food and service, adding about 10% to the bill. Some high-end restaurants in Laos already include this service charge in the bill.

For fast food places, small eateries, or street food stalls, tipping is not necessary unless the service was particularly impressive. If the food is good, you can round up the amount when paying to show your appreciation.

3. Tipping in bars

Bars and beer venues are popular in Laos, offering a fun nighttime activity for tourists. Tipping in these places is becoming common if you’re satisfied with the drinks and service.

You can round up your bill or leave a tip of 5,000 to 10,000 LAK (around 1 USD). If a server helps open a bottle of wine and provides quick service, you can give them an additional 1 USD tip.

You can round up the bill when paying if you’re happy with the service at bars in Laos

4. Tipping tour guides and private drivers

These are the people who accompany you throughout your trip in Laos, so it’s recommended to tip your guides and drivers separately at the end of your stay. Here are some suggested tipping amounts:

For a guide: Between 50,000 and 100,000 LAK per day (about 2 to 5 USD), depending on your level of satisfaction.
For a private driver: Between 20,000 and 50,000 LAK per day, depending on the distance traveled (about 1 to 3 USD).

If their service is exceptional, you can also tip them 10% of the total cost of your trip in Laos.

5. Tipping tuk tuk, taxi drivers

For taxi, motorbike, or tuk-tuk drivers in Laos, it’s not common to expect a tip. However, if you’ve had a pleasant experience and find the Lao drivers friendly, you can leave a tip by rounding up the fare. A small gesture like this will surely brighten their day. Remember, tipping in Laos is not mandatory.

Tuk-tuks are a popular mode of transport for tourists in Laos

6. Tipping in spas and massage parlors

Massage services in Laos are known for being affordable, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 LAK for an hour (about 2 to 6 USD). It’s entirely up to you to leave a tip if you’re satisfied with the service. You can give around 10,000 to 20,000 LAK (about 1 USD).

IV. Notes on tipping in Laos

First of all, keep in mind that it’s not always necessary to tip in Laos, as this can increase the overall cost of your trip. Remember, tipping in Laos is optional and should only be given if you are truly satisfied with the service and want to show your appreciation to the staff.
If you want to tip a specific person, it’s best to hand it directly to them rather than putting it in a communal tip box. In some places, the owners do not always distribute tips to the employees.
To be polite, you can put the tip in a small envelope

That wraps up our complete guide on tipping culture in Laos! While it’s not a requirement, you’ll feel more comfortable deciding when and how much to tip. If you have any other questions about your trip to Laos, don’t hesitate to contact Autour Asia, your Asia agency. Our team is always ready to assist you and make your Southeast Asia trip unforgettable.

You can refer to:

> Best time to visit Laos

> Laos travel guide

> Authentic Laos 3 weeks

> Laos tours

Damas

5.0 Excellent

How much does it cost to travel in Laos for a day?

Generally, the cost of traveling in Laos is quite affordable for international tourists. Your daily expenses will be around 55 USD (including accommodation, meals, and transportation).

If you engage in tourist activities or travel longer distances, costs can rise to about 100 euros per person per day. Please refer to the following article for more details: Laos trip cost.

Jinni Kim

5.0 Excellent

Are tips in Laos really necessary if I want to save money on my trip?

As I mentioned, tipping in Laos is not mandatory. Therefore, you can skip tipping to avoid increasing your travel budget. If you are genuinely satisfied with the service, a tip of 5000 LAK (0.3 USD) is more than enough.

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