Ha ha - we're having lunch at Little Hanoi - delicious BTW- and someone asked (and I guess 24 hours of travel has made any chance of remembering moot) -- is tipping customary/ expected in Vietnam?

I don't recall whether there is a line for "service" on the bills in Hanoi, but if there is, do not tip. Otherwise tip or else tell them you are communists (or Canadians) and don't believe in tipping.

Tipping is not customary in most of Asia.

Thanks! It's not like anyone was standing around with an outstretched hand - quite the opost, really - but we wanted to " do right".

Quite a few times I have left a small tip only to be chased out of the restaurant with a waiter trying to return it to me. Locals do not tip, as far as I know. At least in the countries I have visited, and that includes a large swath of south and north east Asia. Maybe a local can add more insight, but I think it has been discussed here quite often..

Never had a waiter try and give me back a tip. I used to tip, but I don't tip at restaurants any more. Most hotel restaurants have a service charge already added in.