Need to get refund from Vietnam, ? best way to do so?

Question

Booked a tour from here in oz for a halong bay tour, paid over $600 AUD for a private tour, get there and told boat is booked and put on cheaper boat. We refused and asked for a refund. Told we would get it but still waiting anyone know if there is something or someone we can contact regarding this?

Answer 1

Credit card is the best way to claim the money back. But you have to clarify whether the travel agent doesn't want to refund you or they do have difficulties in transferring the money back to you (as Vietnamese Government doesn't allow transfer money out of Vietnam). And the most important things: What have you contracted with them about this?

- If the travel agent don't want to refund (you are right), you can do:

+ Claim with your credit card company

+ Contact Vietnam administration (you must study the agent's profile)

+ Contact other society that agent associates with (ASTA, PTA..)

- If they have difficulties in transfering the money, you can:

+ Ask them to transfer by Western Union

+ Find a way to collect the money from their credit card (Goverment of Vietnam doesn't allow bank transfer by credit card is ok)

+ Ask your friend who will travel to Vietnam to help you

+ When you travel to Vietnam, come and collect

+ Just use a small services of them and get back the rest when you are in Vietnam

Hope you will get your money back soon!

Answer 2

The two previous answers pretty much sums it up. Unless you can get your credit card company involved, you're basically screwed. You may also want to watch your credit card statements carefully, because Vietnam is renown for credit card fraud. Even the banks are in on it.

Next time, NEVER pay upfront for services like that in Vietnam. Always pay in Dong and always haggle for the best price. You're actually insulting the Vietnamese if you do not do this, and you will open yourself up to getting ripped off too.

Answer 3

Travel Ageny will look after your refund

Answer 4

i do hope you used a credit card for payment, this is the best way to pay for travel and it's easy to get your money back, just write or email your credit card company about the complaint.

Answer 5

Contact your Travel Agent for refund, other than that consider as your lost.... I have never thought to go to North side anyway.... that rip off was just waiting to happen, you got to predict before you enter no law country.

Answer 6

Your header caught my eye.  If you paid by credit card ( you should have ) you can dispute the charge and get it charged back, because you never used the service.  If you didn't pay by card, you may be out of luck.  I also need a refund from Vietnam, but it is 34 years late so far.