Barbers 3 min read
The expat's guide to getting a haircut in Vietnam: barbers, the famous combo, 2026 prices and tipping
The Vietnamese barber combo (cut, wash, head massage, ear cleaning) costs 70,000 to 250,000₫. How to choose a barbershop, describe your cut with clipper numbers and Vietnamese phrases, what a Korean perm costs, and how much to tip.
Quick answer
- The combo (cut, wash, head massage, ear cleaning) takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs 70,000 to 250,000₫ (US$3 to 10) in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi; premium barbershops 250,000 to 500,000₫.
- Korean perm 400,000 to 800,000₫ and lasts 3 to 4 months; men's colour 250,000 to 500,000₫; hot-towel shave 60,000 to 120,000₫.
- Bring two reference photos (front and side), give lengths in clipper numbers (#1 = 3 mm, #2 = 6 mm) and say clearly whether to keep or shorten the fringe.
- Tipping is optional; 20,000 to 50,000₫ handed to the barber is normal for good work.
Vietnamese barbers have a combo that visitors never stop talking about: a cut, a wash, a head massage and an ear cleaning in about an hour, for the price of a latte back home. This guide gives you real 2026 prices, how to pick a shop, and exactly how to describe your cut when you and the barber do not share a language.
2026 men's haircut prices
From 1,203 barber bookings on BookMe in August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (100,000₫ is about US$4):
| Service | Neighbourhood shop | Barbershop | Premium barbershop |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut only | 50,000–80,000₫ | 90,000–150,000₫ | 200,000–350,000₫ |
| Combo: cut, wash, ear cleaning | 70,000–120,000₫ | 120,000–250,000₫ | 250,000–500,000₫ |
| Fade or undercut + styling | 60,000–100,000₫ | 100,000–180,000₫ | 200,000–400,000₫ |
| Hot-towel shave | 40,000–60,000₫ | 60,000–120,000₫ | 150,000–250,000₫ |
| Korean perm | 300,000–450,000₫ | 400,000–800,000₫ | 900,000–1,500,000₫ |
| Men's colour | 200,000–300,000₫ | 250,000–500,000₫ | 600,000–1,000,000₫ |
| Kids' cut | 40,000–60,000₫ | 70,000–120,000₫ | 150,000₫+ |
Big chains like 30Shine list combos from around 100,000₫ and have their own app; independent barbershops on BookMe let you pick a specific barber and read reviews per person.
What the combo actually includes
- A 2 to 3 minute consultation with your photos.
- The cut, 20 to 25 minutes: clippers, scissors, a straight razor for the edges.
- Wash and head massage, 10 to 15 minutes, lying back; some shops add a face mask or hot towel.
- Ear cleaning, 5 to 10 minutes: sterilised steel picks, a headlamp and a soft feather. Strange the first time, and the part expats rate five stars most often.
- Blow-dry and styling with wax or spray.
Total 45 to 60 minutes. Book ahead to avoid waiting, especially 6 to 8 pm and Saturdays.
How to describe your cut
- Two photos: one from the front, one from the side. Photos beat any vocabulary.
- Clipper numbers: #1 = 3 mm, #2 = 6 mm, #3 = 10 mm, #4 = 13 mm. "Number 2 on the sides, 5 cm on top."
- Useful Vietnamese: "cắt ngắn hai bên" (short on the sides), "giữ mái" (keep the fringe), "tỉa mỏng" (thin it out), "để tự nhiên" (natural, not over-styled), "viền sạch" (clean edges).
- Mention the beard first: shape it or shave it.
- Do not say "up to you" on the first visit; after two or three visits with the same barber it works fine.
Choosing a barbershop
- Clean chairs and mirrors, clippers sprayed between clients; ear picks from a sterilised box.
- Barber profiles with real work photos: on BookMe each barber has their own rating.
- No pressure to buy products afterwards.
- Clear hours and online booking: good shops are always full from 6 to 8 pm.
- Reviews from the last 30 days that mention barbers by name are a good sign.
Find shops: barbers in Ho Chi Minh City, barbers in Hanoi, barbers in Da Nang.
Is a Korean perm worth it?
A Korean perm adds loose waves to the fringe and crown and suits thick hair and longer faces. It takes 90 to 120 minutes, costs 400,000 to 800,000₫ at a good barbershop and lasts 3 to 4 months. Choose a barber with photos of real clients; thin or heavily coloured hair needs a consultation first. Add a repair treatment two weeks later if it feels dry.
Tipping and etiquette
- Tipping is not expected in Vietnam. If you are happy, 20,000 to 50,000₫ handed directly to the barber is appreciated.
- Arrive on time; 15 minutes late and the shop may take the next client.
- Free water or tea is normal at most barbershops; just ask.
- Not happy? Say so in the chair; barbers fix it free during the visit or within three days at many shops.
If you have just moved to Vietnam, make this your first-week ritual. Book a specific barber on BookMe and walk in to a chair that is already waiting.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ear cleaning safe?
Yes at shops using sterilised tools and trained staff; it is a traditional part of Vietnamese barbering. Decline if you see a shared pick that is not replaced, and skip it if you have an ear infection.
Low, mid or high fade?
A fade blends from short at the bottom to longer on top. Low is subtle and office-safe; mid is the most common; high is bold and needs a trim every 2 to 3 weeks.
How often should I get a cut?
Fades and undercuts: every 2 to 3 weeks. Longer natural styles: 5 to 6 weeks. Korean perm: root touch-up after 3 to 4 months.
Do barbers speak English?
In former District 1, Thảo Điền, Tây Hồ and Đà Nẵng's beach area, usually enough. Elsewhere, photos and clipper numbers work everywhere. Filter 'English-speaking' on BookMe.
Sources
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BookMeEditorial draft
Awaiting source verification and a named editor. This content has not been medically reviewed.
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