Restaurant Deposits in Saigon: VND 100,000 to 1,000,000 Each

On the two booking pages I could read, the deposit is VND 500,000 a guest at Si Dining (from 5 guests) and VND 1,000,000 a person at An’s Saigon (the chef’s table). Bếp Rơm asks VND 100,000 a person, and only from 8 guests. I am Thịnh, the reservations manager at Bếp Rơm. This piece covers three things: where those numbers come from, what a deposit should come off and when it is lost, and why we chose a small number.

I have only two data points from other restaurants, and both are upscale. Two points are not enough to claim a “typical deposit”, so I won’t. Our number is our own rule, not a market norm.

Three reference points

The first two rows come from each restaurant’s TableCheck booking page, read on 5 October 2026. Rules may have changed since.

The first two are upscale restaurants with a chef’s table and multi-course dinners. I would guess, without evidence, that with that style of service an empty seat is harder to resell, so the deposit weighs more. A family rice restaurant like ours is much lighter, and that is how I read the gap between the numbers.

Add it up for a party and the gap is plainer. For 8 people at VND 500,000 a guest, the deposit would be VND 4,000,000. At Bếp Rơm the deposit for 8 guests is 8 × VND 100,000 = VND 800,000. For the private room the deposit is VND 1,500,000 for the whole table: VND 125,000 a head with a full 12 guests, about VND 107,000 with 14.

What it comes off

A deposit should come off the bill. Si Dining says plainly that it is deducted from the final bill. The An’s Saigon page I read does not say, so if you book there, ask.

Here is what we do: the deposit is your money, deducted from the bill on the day you come. A party of 8 that orders VND 2,118,000 and has paid VND 800,000 pays VND 1,318,000 (an illustration with an invented guest, Huy; an illustrative story for this demo site, figures assumed). For the private room, the VND 1,500,000 deposit also comes off the bill; if the bill ends below the minimum spend (VND 3,000,000 at lunch, VND 3,600,000 at dinner, drinks and VAT included), the difference is charged. Hân, another invented guest, books 12 and orders VND 3,712,000; after the deposit she pays VND 2,212,000.

When it is lost

Two cases: a late cancellation, or a no-show.

At Bếp Rơm, cancel at least 24 hours ahead (48 for the private room) for a full refund. Later than that, or a no-show, and we keep the deposit. Reducing the party is different: tell us up to 24 hours ahead and there is no penalty; the deposit follows the new number, though never below the amount for 8 guests. On being late: from 8 guests we hold the table 20 minutes, and if you message us on Zalo we hold it once more, up to 30 minutes.

An’s Saigon says full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead, and 72 hours if you book all 8 chef’s table seats; the page also mentions a 3% transaction fee. Si Dining says that if you will be more than 20 minutes late you should tell them, and that they may rearrange tables if they cannot reach you.

Why Bếp Rơm chose VND 100,000

It is our decision, for three reasons.

One: a party of 8 at a round table for 120 minutes is a whole table. If they do not come, the table sits empty at a busy hour. We want the deposit to be enough that people remember to cancel early, not so large that it puts them off booking.

Two: VND 100,000 a head is under half of what each person pays at the family mâm (VND 222,500 a head, 8% VAT included). The deposit is always smaller than the meal.

Three: under 8 guests there is no deposit. By our observation small tables are refilled faster, so the risk is lower. From 8 guests, the kitchen prepares separately.

We have no data to say this level is “right” or “common”. It is a choice we made, and we write it down so you can compare.

How to avoid losing a deposit

• Cancel or reduce the party before the deadline: 24 hours, or 48 for the private room. Message on Zalo or call 0963 929 241.
• If you will be late, message. A short note is enough to keep the table.
• Pay on time: once we confirm, a bank transfer QR code is sent by Zalo; if it is unpaid after 12 hours, the hold is released. Our rules have no transaction fee.
• Read the confirmation: it lists the date, time, party size, allergens and the deposit.

One more thing to ask wherever you book: is the deposit refundable, when, and by what route. Our full rules are on the reservation policy page. If you are not sure how far ahead to book, see booking a Vietnamese restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City.

What we do at Bếp Rơm

I answer every booking request, including the ones that need a deposit. The request is held as pending; we confirm by Zalo or phone, usually within 2 hours in opening hours. When you know your party size and date, book a table. More about the person who answers booking requests is on Nguyễn Đức Thịnh’s page.

Updated 5 October 2026. Prices include 8% VAT, valid until 31 December 2026. Figures for other restaurants come from their public booking pages, read on 5 October 2026.