Vietnam Payment and Cancellation Policies

Booking a trip to Southeast Asia should be an exciting and stress-free experience. At Planet Travel Advisor, we aim to provide complete transparency regarding our Vietnam payment and cancellation policies. Whether you are reserving a comprehensive multi-week itinerary or a specialized cultural excursion, understanding our booking terms ensures a smooth travel planning process from your initial inquiry to your final departure.

Required Deposit to Secure Your Booking

To secure your reservations for hotels, domestic flights, and local activities, we require an initial deposit. Typically, a 25% deposit of the total tour cost is required at the time of booking. For peak travel seasons or specific high-demand Vietnam tours, a 50% deposit may be requested to guarantee your arrangements.

Booking Confirmation and Payment Schedule

A booking is officially confirmed only when all of the following steps are complete:

• You approve the final Vietnam tour itinerary, quotation, inclusions, exclusions, travel dates, and any special conditions.

• Planet Travel Advisor receives the required deposit or agreed payment.

• Planet Travel Advisor sends written confirmation by email, an official invoice, or a booking confirmation message.

Here is the required payment breakdown for all standard Vietnam travel packages:

• 1. Initial Deposit (25%): A 25% deposit of the total tour cost is required to secure your booking. Once received, we will confirm your hotels, domestic flights, and primary services.

• 2. Second Installment (65%): 65% of the total tour cost is due 25 days before your scheduled arrival in Vietnam.

• 3. Final Balance (10%): The remaining 10% of the total tour cost is due 7 days before your arrival.

Note: Custom luxury itineraries, large group bookings, or travel during peak holiday seasons may require adjusted payment timelines or higher initial deposits, which will be communicated in writing prior to booking.

Once the booking is confirmed, our team begins securing the services included in your program. This may include hotels, domestic flights, guides, vehicles, and special attraction permits. A preliminary quotation or verbal interest does not hold availability or price.

Accepted Payment Methods

We offer several secure payment options for our international travelers:

• Credit and Debit Cards: We accept major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. Payments are processed securely via our encrypted online gateway.

• Bank Wire Transfers: Travelers can transfer funds directly to our corporate bank account. Please note that wire transfer fees applied by your bank are the responsibility of the sender.

• Cash Payments on Arrival: In certain agreed-upon circumstances, the final balance can be paid in cash (USD or Vietnamese Dong) upon arrival to our local representative in Vietnam.

Cancellation by the Traveler

If you need to cancel your trip, you must submit a formal cancellation request in writing. Our cancellation fees are calculated based on the date we receive your written notification.

The standard cancellation fee structure for our Vietnam packages is as follows:

• More than 40 days before arrival: 10% of the total tour cost (to cover administrative and non-refundable booking fees).

• 39 to 25 days before arrival: 25% of the total tour cost.

• 24 to 15 days before arrival: 50% of the total tour cost.

• 14 to 7 days before arrival: 75% of the total tour cost.

• Less than 7 days before arrival or No-Show: 100% of the total tour cost (No refund).

Note: Domestic flights within the country and specific cruise bookings (such as overnight sailings in Halong Bay) may have separate, stricter non-refundable policies imposed by local carriers. These details will be clearly outlined in your specific itinerary prior to booking.

Modifications and Amendments to Your Itinerary

We understand that travel plans can change. If you wish to alter your travel dates or modify your itinerary after the booking is confirmed, we will do our best to accommodate these changes without additional administrative fees, provided the request is made well in advance. However, if changes involve altering non-refundable domestic flights or hotel reservations, any resulting third-party costs will be added to your balance.

Cancellation by Planet Travel Advisor

In the rare event that we must cancel your tour due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (such as natural disasters, extreme weather, or political instability), we offer two options:

1. Reschedule your tour to a later date at no additional administrative cost.

2. Receive a full refund of the amount paid, excluding any non-refundable expenses already dispersed to third-party suppliers (e.g., airlines or local hotels).

We highly recommend that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellations, interruptions, and medical emergencies.

Refund Processing

All approved refunds are processed back to the original method of payment. If you paid via credit card, please allow 7 to 14 business days for the funds to reflect in your account, depending on your bank's processing times. For bank transfers, the standard international processing time applies, and standard banking fees may be deducted from the refund amount.

Learn More Before You Travel

To ensure you are fully prepared for your Southeast Asian adventure, we encourage all guests to review our comprehensive Vietnam travel guide for helpful insights on culture, weather, and destinations. Additionally, make sure to read through the essential trip information for traveling to Vietnam to familiarize yourself with visa requirements, packing lists, and local customs before your departure.