Vietnam Terms and Conditions
Commitment
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. is committed to delivering creative, safe and high-quality services and customer experiences through a network of nine own-operated destinations in the region. With a focus on customer safety, quality control and service delivery, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. assures the client the comfort of reliable standards across the countries it operates in with a clearly defined set of socially responsible values.
Confirmations
Confirmations within allotments are acknowledged by return. Services and bookings without allotment will be handled on an ad-hoc request and confirm basis, subject to availability, with reservation status changes communicated immediately;
- Provision of comprehensive details, such as names, arrival and departure flights and timings, number of adults, children (with ages) and infants, with dietary or other special requirements. We will ensure we respond to client request efficiently;
- Acknowledgements and confirmations will be sent to the client by e-mail within 24 hours, whenever possible;
- In the event Asian Trails Co., Ltd. is unable to confirm client request, it will provide an alternative, wherever possible, for client consideration and acceptance;
- Confirmations could take longer than 24 hours for extensive, custom- made or complex multi-city or multi-country itineraries and for groups where rates and services can benefit from specific negotiation(s);
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to levy a mutually agreed handling fee for reservations and or provision, or services and managing logistics of service delivery, outside the scope of those contractually agreed and required, or requested by the customer.
Confidential contract rates
Confidential rates are based on market research, competition analysis, strategic negotiation and in-depth information for each specific season in each destination. All rates quoted in the tariff are nett and non-commissionable, and under the condition that they cannot be displayed in any way to third parties. Rates are quoted in the specifically mentioned currency only.
Minimum selling rates
Accommodation establishments and/or suppliers in the region may require Asian Trails Co., Ltd. to adhere to a Minimum Selling Rate, or Minimum Selling Price (MSR or MSP) guidelines, which will be communicated to the Client for implementation.
Handling fees
If required to book accommodation under the client’s direct contract/ agreements, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will charge a pre-agreed handling fee, either per person or per booking. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will manage the bookings on the client’s behalf, based on information provided by the client. The handling fee will include processing of the reservations, amendments and/or cancellations, as communicated by the client.
Per person rates/per room rates
All hotel rates in our confidential tariff are per person / night and inclusive of all applicable charges and taxes, unless otherwise specified;
- All tours and transfer rates in our confidential tariff are per person and inclusive of all applicable charges and taxes, unless otherwise specified;
- Specific services from outside our confidential tariff will be offered based on the quotation from the supplier.
Compulsory meals
Please note that most hotels include compulsory special gala dinners on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and sometimes on national and/or other festive occasions in Vietnam. This is a compulsory charge, regardless of whether the client wants the dinner or not and will be mandatorily invoiced by Asian Trails Co., Ltd. It is not possible for customers to pay for these meals on the spot.
Taxes
Unless otherwise specified, all quoted rates are inclusive of applicable taxes (including service charges, Value Added Taxes (VAT) and/or locally charged taxes). Domestic tourism taxes and/or airport taxes may be applicable and are not included. These need to be paid directly to the relevant authority, by the traveller/guests. In the event of government imposes any tax changes, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to alter the rates accordingly. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to collect any differentials from the client traveller/guests individually which may arise.
Commission
All quoted rates, unless otherwise specified, are net and non-commissionable.
Cancellations & refund policies
In the unfortunate event of a cancellation, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. is upholding the standard cancellation and/or refund conditions in line with the supplier(s) and/or as indicated in the general conditions from the Asian Trails Co., Ltd. office. Such charges will be forwarded to the Client and will be accepted by the Client. All cancellation charges are calculated based on prior to confirmed departure date and are calculated from the invoices rates.
Cancellation charges – Regular Package Tours
Between 30 and 21 days | 20% of the total amount |
Between 20 and 7 days | 50% of the total amount |
Less than 7 days or no show | 100% of the total amount |
This cancellation policy does not apply for groups, MICE travel, special bookings and /or suppliers with more strict cancellation and refund policies; Seat-in-Coach (SIC) / joint tours or services such as airline tickets, river and sea cruises, hot-air balloon excursions, beach resorts, golf packages and bookings during peak season, for which specific cancellation requirements apply. In such special situations, the cancellation policy will be added, together with the confirmation of the booking.
Exchange rates / Currency Fluctuation
All rates quoted in the confidential tariff are in local currencies or in US$ Dollars, unless otherwise stated. In some cases, the local currency and/or the rate is quoted in accordance with the hotel policy rate. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. does not guarantee currency conversion rates or any quotation where currency conversion is included. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to adjust rates in case of fluctuations in exchange rates.
Fuel and other surcharges
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to change contracted ground service rates in case fuel prices and/or surcharges of any other kind increase beyond the control of Asian Trails Co., Ltd. and affect the contracted selling prices. These surcharges are calculated as a percentage of the net invoice value to you and are shown separately and are based on the current market development.
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to change such prices without prior notice and to reassess the amount and duration at any time.
Child Policy
Children and infant discounts apply for each destination with detailed explanations on exceptions and variations. Children and infant discounts apply when travelling with at least 2 (two) full paying adults, unless otherwise specified.
In Vietnam, the age range for an infant is from 0 until 2 years (not having reached the age of 2 years upon departure) and children from 2 until 12 years (not having reached the age of 12 years upon departure).
Free of charge policies
Throughout Asia, special conditions for tour leaders / tour directors are different. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. is committed to assist where possible to provide specific rates and conditions for tour leaders / tour directors. It is expected that the Client should specify for groups whether a native speaking tour leader / tour director will join with the customers to provide special rates and conditions to tailor-make the right conditions in the proposal.
Payment
- Unless prior credit arrangements have been made with Asian Trails Co., Ltd., the company requires full pre-payment for all reservations at least 30 days (*) prior to arrival. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the reservation(s) by the Asian Trails Co., Ltd. cost of which shall be borne by the client. A sample copy of the voucher must be submitted with credit application in the event that credit approval is requested;
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd., at its own discretion, reserves the right to immediately revoke and/or suspend any credit arrangements, should there arise any outstanding unpaid invoices exceeding the agreed credit terms;
- Where deposits and advance payments are required from contractors, these will also be invoiced to the client for (pre)payment. This will be done before Asian Trails Co., Ltd. makes those deposits on behalf of the client for the respective movement. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. may decide to exempt any such advance payments or deposits from any prior credit arrangements;
- Payments may be made by telegraphic transfer or bankers’ draft, drawn on Asian Trails Co., Ltd.’ bank. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. shall be entitled to claim for and receive payment of any expenses incurred in claiming any shortfall in payments;
- All bank charges and fees are to be paid by the sender;
- Note that for any group or low cost air tickets Asian Trails Co., Ltd. always require full prepayment and the same draws reference from the Asian Trails Co., Ltd. ticketing policy. In the event of any refunds due to cancellation, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. passes on the same on to the client;
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will advise cancellation/prepayment charges for incentive or group bookings together with the proposal. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will apply the individual charges of each hotel which are attached to its hotel list. Special cancellation conditions may apply for group bookings;
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to add additional charges when payments by credit cards are made and are approved by Asian Trails Co., Ltd. These charges reflect the actual country-specific credit card charges (in %) and are added on top of any payment made to Asian Trails Co., Ltd.
Non-compliance with these conditions can result in automatic cancellation of services without prior notice.
(*): Pre-payment procedures during high/peak seasons may vary, depending on the supplier policy to guarantee the booking for certain products as well as for specific products such as river and ocean cruises, festival tours, airline tickets and other services / products that have instilled prepayment conditions. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will inform the client accordingly about this for each individual case, including conditions for pre-payment procedures
Payment conditions and account details
Payment procedures for each individual country should be made to each individual country, when booked services are for one country only: each and every invoice will have its own booking reference number, the client’ reference number, and the client’ name.
Confidentiality
This agreement, its contents and all related documentation sent over to the client, are strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to any third parties. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. expects the following from the client in order for them to receive the special contracted rates from Asian Trails Co., Ltd.:
- The special contracted rates are offered based on the ability of the client to drive the agreed business volume to Asian Trails Co., Ltd.;
- To protect this confidentiality, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will not disclose the rates to its customers and will invoice the client directly;
- Rates are confidential and cannot be promoted or sold on the Internet or otherwise (including third party websites) unless “packaged” with other elements.
Travel requirements
Passport
Acquiring correct information about passport requirements, when making travel inquiries with Asian Trails Co., Ltd., is strongly advisable. For all travel from and to the country/countries Asian Trails Co., Ltd. is serving its customers, a valid passport is required at all times. Conditions for specific validity of passports and regulations for other valid travel documentation can be obtained from each respective embassy and/or consulate of the customer.
For most countries, passports need to be valid for at least six months from the date of entry at a border post/airport/seaport. Any issues related to invalid / not properly issued / expired passports in accordance with the laws of the arriving country with Asian Trails Co., Ltd. are solemnly falling under the responsibility of the client / the traveller/guest(s).
Visa
In addition to passport requirements, a multitude of countries require additional visa requirements; visa(s) for certain countries can either be obtained in the country of residence or at the border immigration bureau of the country(s) to be visited, where Asian Trails Co., Ltd. is operational. Full details about the specific visa conditions and requirements to obtain a visa(s) for each specific country can be obtained from Asian Trails Co., Ltd. and/or from each respective embassy or consulate of the customer. Any issues related to invalid / not properly issued / expired visa in accordance with the laws of the arriving country with Asian Trails Co., Ltd. are solemnly falling under the responsibility of the client / the traveller/guest(s).
Within these conditions, customers with issued visas that are non-compliant with country regulations, any form of delay in visa issue and/or changes in visa regulations beyond the control of Asian Trails Co., Ltd. also are under the sole responsibility of the client and/or the traveller/guests.
Travel insurance
It is strongly recommended that the client’s guests obtain comprehensive travel insurance while travelling that covers matters such as death, injury, sickness, theft, damage of any kind, and other important matters.
Neither Asian Trails Co., Ltd. nor its employees/ agents/suppliers or business partners shall/and can be held responsible for any loss, damaged, stolen personal belongings or sickness, injury or other medical matters Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will assist the travellers/guests in any mishap cost of which shall be borne directly by the traveller/guest(s)
Health and Safety
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. complies with all industry-required health guidelines in its selection of product and provision of services. All the traveller(s)/guest(s)s are required at all times to follow the safety regulations for any service provided e.g. wearing seat belts during transfers and wearing life vests for any boat/sailing tour.
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. checks hotels / restaurants and other suppliers of food and drink and ensure that they have the appropriate operating licenses in place. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. cannot be held responsible in any way for any kind of food and/or beverage consumed, which has not been recommended by Asian Trails Co., Ltd.
Accommodation in and around Vietnam
- There are practically no hotels/resorts, with standard triple rooms in their inventory. These are commonly double/twin rooms with an extra (rollaway) bed, limiting space within the room. Please inform all concerned accordingly to correctly manage expectations. Extra bed rates / triple sharing room rates are available in the confidential tariff;
- Single room supplements are indicated in the confidential tariff. It is common that the provided rooms are twin/double rooms for single use only;
- Preferences such as smoking/non-smoking, king-size beds, and location of the room cannot be guaranteed or confirmed in advance and are subject to hotel policy and availability at time of check-in.
Accommodation rating
Although hotels/guest houses/accommodation in the region may provide the client with information about their qualification, the properties used and offered by Asian Trails Co., Ltd. in Vietnam may not all have official star qualification issued by an official government-accredited hotel association in the country of operation.
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. provides the client with its own internal star qualification which is based on its own experience and certain criteria to ensure the client have an interpretation of the qualification. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. cannot be held liable in any way for this star qualification, which may result in complaints.
Tours
Unless otherwise specified, all tours and transfers are operated under the following conditions:
- All tours operated includes fully-insured, in good working order transport where specific English speaking assistance is confirmed by Asian Trails Co., Ltd;
- Assistance requirements for confirmed languages other than English are subject to availability and may require additional charges;
- Tours include entrance fees, meals (where mentioned) excluding any drinks, guide fees and other expenses, specifically mentioned in the tour program;
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. is committed to offer quality optional excursions with on-par rates; when booked with the company, the customer accepts any additional service, which may include shopping.
Transfers
Unless otherwise stated, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will provide for each destination according to the rates provided in our confidential tariff:
- Meet and greet services with name sign and/or with specific company logo;
- Assistance with arrival and departure procedures at airports, stations, ports, hotels and/or any other venue;
- Transportation according to the booked itinerary;
- Reconfirmation of onward travel reservations.
Transportation
Committed to delivering exceptional standards, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. uses only the best available transportation in each destination. Where possible, Asian Trails Co., Ltd. uses coaches and cars, contracted on a long-term basis.
- Transportation (road or water transport) are operated by fully-licensed drivers / operators, in accordance with country operational standards. Vehicles are maintained strictly in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and kept clean and in good working order:
- Transportation will be in coach / mini coach / mini -van or car with qualified, licensed driver except for transfer services where Asian Trails Co., Ltd. states “driver only”; A language escort for the entire tour / transfer can be requested for a supplementary cost. It is essential to know that drivers in Vietnam often do not speak English;
- Vehicles are licensed, insured according to the Vietnam standards, and equipped with seat belts for all passengers to comply with all local road traffic regulations.
- Water transport will be of a similar good quality and lifejackets will be provided for all clients.
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. ensures to apprise the client of standards of transportation in each destination it operates in and that the transport is region specific , yet it is committed to the best available means of transportation in that specific area of operation.
Guides and representation in each destination
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. provide a multi-lingual team of professional guides and all guides are licensed and registered with the relevant authorities and undergo extensive training, prior to leading tours.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. strongly believes in creating a sustainable and responsible business platform and is committed to “giving back” to the communities in which we reside. Since the first Asian Trails Co., Ltd. office was opened in Vietnam in 1999 we have sponsored disadvantaged children to attend school and university, collected equipment and supplies for orphanages on an annual basis and been actively involved in other aid intervention programs.
Today our efforts have expanded and we proudly support various projects across the region. For more information about sharing and caring for local communities, please check out our website (http://www.asiantrails.travel/) for more information.
Travelife
Our sustainability operations go far beyond the protection of our destinations’ flora and fauna. As part of our ongoing commitment to contribute to operate sustainably across all our operations, Asian Trails is a certified Partner under the Travelife (www.travelife.org) framework. The Travelife standard is covering the ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, including the environment, biodiversity, human rights and labour relations; and is formally recognised as being in full compliance with the UN supported Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.
Travelife, which has been established with the support of the European Commission, is the leading international sustainability certification for the travel sector and is supported by numerous national travel associations.
Carbon Offsetting programme
As part of our initiatives that follow sustainable paths, Asian Trails is offering carbon offsetting programmes for all customers travelling with us. This eco-friendly add-on is a voluntary initiative where all proceeds go towards carefully chosen partners whom we have joined on this quest to work actively to reduce the economic and socio-cultural impacts CO2 has on the climate.
For more information, how this works and how you, as a valuable partner and client, can take part in this green scheme, kindly contact us.
Provided content and Intellectual Property Rights
All information – text, images, reviews, any downloadable files, and other information provided on our platforms – is copyright protected and its content and information cannot be used / duplicated / copied / linked or distributed in any way, unless written confirmation from Asian Trails Co., Ltd. has been granted.
We have obtained exclusive ownership of all rights, interests and title deeds, including the design of our online platforms, bearing our name and/or is (in)directly associated with us.
In case you wish to use information (whole and /or a part) of the above-mentioned, you require written confirmation from us – this includes as well translations of any kind. Any proven use of unlawfully actions or behaviour that reflects the use of these intellectual property rights is considered a material infringement and may be held liable in accordance to the law of that respective country.
All information provided in our communication via any online or offline channel (visual and in writing) is considered marketing material and may not sketch the actual situation, service provided and/or represents an actual depiction of the shown services. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. cannot be held accountable in any way when the shown information on offers, itineraries, publications of any kind when this does not correspond with the actual situation.
Complaints and irregularities
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. considers complaints as valuable feedback to improve service delivery levels. We request that service delivery failures or customer concerns, be reported during the customer’s stay, to one of our representatives. It is the aim of the company to solve any irregularity on the spot. The company reserves the right to refuse to take action on perceived irregularities submitted to the company 30 days after the customer returns back home.
Licenses and permits
All Asian Trails Co., Ltd. offices, subcontracted suppliers and other service providers use and comply with the requisite license and permit requirements, based on the relevant regulations of each country that Asian Trails Co., Ltd. operates in.
Force Majeure
During the term of this Agreement, neither party shall be in default of its obligations to the extent that its performance is delayed or prevented by causes beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, famine, pandemic, epidemic, strikes and other labour disturbances, acts of war, or civil disturbances, or other equivalent or comparable events. On happening of the Force Majeure event the affected party shall communicate the force majeure event to the other party in writing.
The obligations under this Agreement shall remain suspended between the parties due to the force majeure event. In the event, the force majeure event does not cease to exist but continuous beyond the period of 30 days, then either party shall be at liberty to terminate this Agreement forthwith due to the force majeure event. It shall be at the discretion of the affected party, if during the force majeure event it mitigates the situation and attempts to perform its obligations under this Agreement subject to the other party reciprocating to bear additional costs and expenses that may be incurred by the affected party to perform the services for the other party during a force majeure event.
Indemnity
The Client agrees to indemnify and to save Asian Trails Co., Ltd. from harm and against all damage or injury (including death) to property or person(s) resulting from intentional or negligent acts or omissions from their respective officers, employees, agents, contractor or subcontractor in connection with the performance of this Agreement.
Legal note
This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Vietnam (and/or applicable in relation to the country it is legally represented) for the time being in force and the parties agree to submit any dispute arising between the parties under this Agreement to arbitration in accordance with the Arbitration Rules of the respectable Arbitration Institute, Office of the Judiciary applicable at the time of submission of the dispute to arbitration and the conduct of the arbitration thereof shall be under the auspices of the specific Arbitration Institute accordingly.
Liability
The parties’ total aggregate liability will not in any event exceed the amount invoiced between the Parties under the Agreement in the preceding 12 months before the date of claim. The parties shall however not be liable for any indirect, consequential, special, punitive or similar damages (including, without limitation, lost profits and lost revenues) to the affected party or any third party pursuant to or in connection with this Contract. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. acts as an intermediary between all airlines, hotels, local tourist offices and other service providers.
Therefore Asian Trails Co., Ltd. reserves the right to modify tours and itineraries with or without notice. Asian Trails Co., Ltd.’ package tours are organized in conjunction with the respective airline(s) scheduled flights, itineraries and timetables are provisional and subject to change without notice. Acknowledgement and confirmation of the above-mentioned conditions is active, once client participate in one of the provided services.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. shall have the following obligations in relation to data protection. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Personal Data” shall have the meaning set out in EU General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) (2016/679) (“Data Protection Law”).
The processing of Personal Data will only extend to, and in such a manner, as is necessary for the purposes limited to the purpose of this agreement in accordance and as instructed by -insert agent name- (hereafter called ‘The Client’). All Personal Data will be processed in line with the intended purpose and will not be used for any other purpose. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will keep a record of any processing of personal data it carries out on behalf of the client;
Rights of the Data Subject:
Promptly comply with any request from The Client requiring Asian Trails Co., Ltd. to amend, transfer or delete the Personal Data
- provide, at request of The Client, a copy of all Personal Data held by it in the format and on the media reasonably specified by The Client
- only collect any Personal Data on behalf of The Client in the form which will be provided to Asian Trails Co., Ltd. and which will contain a data protection notice informing the data subject of the identity of the data controller, the identity of any data protection representative it may have appointed, the purpose or purposes for which their Personal Data will be processed and any other information which is necessary having regard to the specific circumstances in which the date is, or is to be, processed to enable processing in respect of the data subject to be fair. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. shall not modify or alter the form in any way without the prior written consent of The Client;
- Promptly inform The Client of any action those results in the loss, destruction, alteration, unauthorized disclosure, or access to, personal data. Asian Trails Co., Ltd. will restore such Personal Data at its own expense.
Asian Trails Co., Ltd. warrants that:
- It will process the Personal Data in compliance with all applicable Data Protection laws; and
- It will take appropriate technical and organisational measures against the unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against the accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data to ensure compliance of The Client with the Data Protection Law.
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. shall notify The Client immediately if it becomes aware of any advance in technology and methods of working which mean that The Client should revise its data security measures.
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and defends at its own expense The Client against all costs, claims, damages or expenses incurred by The Client or for which The Client may become liable due to any failure by Asian Trails Co., Ltd. or its employees or agents to comply with any of its obligations under this Clause
- Asian Trails Co., Ltd. agrees to indemnify and keep indemnified and defend at its own expense The Client against all bonafide costs, claims, damages or expenses incurred by The Client or for which The Client may become liable due to any actual and /or intentional failure by or its employees or agents to comply with any of its obligations under this Clause.