Up-to-date tipping advice?

[pariahsmile]

I don’t think this has been discussed lately, and I know that cultures can change quickly, so …
What’s everyone’s best advice regarding tipping in Vietnam?
For …
– taxis
– hotel housekeepers
– restaurants and bars
– guides
– drivers
– cruise staff
– etc.
Is it different in the South and the North?

[jaffa1949]

This is a better topic for Lonely planet or trip advisor, there is no north or south Vietnam now it is all one country.
There is surf in the southern part of the country, and that is probably that we would more interested in.

[kookextraordinaire]

I would generally say that you ought to tip as much as you can afford. An extra dollar or two doesn't seem like much in certain hemispheres but can mean the world to a Vietnamese worker who earns an average wage of 150 USD a month.