BOOKING CONDITIONS
It is most important that you read and fully understand these conditions before making your booking. Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification.
Payment of a deposit constitutes an acknowledgment that you have read and have accepted these Booking Conditions.
Once confirmations have been received a deposit of AU$150.00 per person (AU$250.00 pp in High Season) will be required to hold the reservations. Please note that deposits are non-refundable, so we highly recommend that Travel Insurance be taken at the time of booking. A Travel Insurance brochure is available from our company – we recommend Covermore Travel Insurance - or you may use a company of your choice.
BALANCE of PAYMENT
Your balance is required 45 days prior to your departure date. Should your Booking be within 30 days then the balance will be required upon our confirmation of your travel arrangements.
Important note: Airlines from time to time, depending on their aircraft loadings, may require payment in full earlier than our 45 or 30 days and may require such payment at short notice. In these occasions we will do what we can to assist but ultimately it is the Airlines requirement not ours.
Credit Cards
American Express (3%), Visa(2%), Mastercard(2%), and Diners Club(3%), are accepted with your written authority. The Merchant Fee is charged as shown for each card. Please note that due to rising internet fraud involving credit cards we reserve the right not to accept credit card payments in any case(s) which we deem a risk may exist.
TRAVEL COSTS
Accommodation, tours and transfers are current and as of the 1st of April 2008 and foreign exchange rates at that date. However, all costs are subject to alteration and confirmation. Airfares are based on airfares provided by the Airline and are valid to the 31st of March 2009 but are also subject to alteration and confirmation.
AIRPORT, GOVERNMENT TAXES and AIRLINE FUEL SURCHARGES
Government taxes and Airlines Charges are levied in US Dollars and due to the fluctuations in foreign exchange rates they are not included in your travel costs. Additionally these Taxes and Surcharges are more volatile and up to the moment of ticketing are subject to sudden changes due to such factors as the price of Fuel and the Currency Exchange rate. These charges and sudden changes are beyond our control.
CANCELLATION
Deposits are non-refundable. After full payment, should you need to cancel, the refund will be the amount that we can receive back from the airline(s), hotel(s) and ground operators plus our costs. This amount will depend on how close to your departure date you have cancelled. As a guide, it is approximately 25% of the total costs and could be as high as 100% depending on the cancellation date & airline and/or hotel(s). We once more highly recommend Travel Insurance.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS and VIETNAM VISA
You will require a valid Passport and at time of travel, with at least 6 months validity from date of travel. Should you have a passport other than Australian, please advise your travel agent as further documentation may be required in addition to an Australian Re Entry Visa.
Apart from Vietnamese and nationals from ASEAN countries, all visitors to Vietnam require a Tourist Visa. Currently (01st April 2008) the cost of a single entry Vietnam Tourist Visa is $70.00 person. A multiple Vietnam Tourist Visa costs $120.00 p.p. In conjunction with your travel booking we can organise these at no additional charge. Tourist visas are generally valid for 30 days from stated date of arrival. Visa for longer stays or business related are available but these must be applied for by you direct with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate.
While we can assist you with this documentation it is ultimately the responsibility of any traveller to ensure that they are in possession of the correct, valid and current Travel Documents. We do not accept responsibility for Travel Documents.
We recommend that you visit the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) web site to check the latest Travel Advices.
Regarding Vietnam
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Vietnam
RESPONSIBILITY
Vietnam is a burgeoning tourist destination and its infrastructure is still developing and becoming more sophisticated. Patience is a virtue and it will also help you to enjoy your travels in Vietnam. We have taken great care in choosing our partners and hotels in Vietnam but part of Vietnam’s attraction that it is not over run by tourists and is not a slick and well- oiled tourist destination. There are precautions that you should take and things that you should be aware of, such as, the water – you should not drink the water from any taps, drink bottled water. Personal security – the Vietnamese are very friendly and welcoming people, however some are very poor. Avoid flashing large sums of money (especially US dollars), and do not leave cameras and mobile phones unattended.
Vietnam Associates is operated by Conference Associates Pty Ltd (travel agents license TA31645) which is part of The Associates Group Pty Ltd. The companies act and accept bookings on the following conditions :
We cannot accept any responsibility of whatever nature for the acts, omissions, or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of any service providers. A contract is deemed to exist directly between you and the service providers as is evident in writing by the issuance of a Ticket, Voucher, itinerary, Coupon or Introduction Letter.
We do not guarantee nor warrant the standard of services, accommodation nor meals. We do not accept liability in contract or in tort (actionable wrong) for any injury, damage, loss, delay, additional expenses or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by any events which are beyond our control including, but not limited to, war, civil disturbance, fire, floods, acts of God, acts of Government or of any other authorities, accident to or failure of machinery or equipment, or industrial action.
LAW of CONTRACT
The contract is governed in all respects by the laws of the State of Victoria, Australia.
is a division of The Associates Group Pty Ltd
150 Albert Road, South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Australia
Tel: (61-3) 9699 3955 Fax: (61-3) 96907335
Licensed by the Australian Government TA31645 IATA AFTA