Code of Conduct
What we ask of you on tour · and what you can expect of our guides, drivers, and ground teams. A two-way handshake.
What this code of conduct says in plain English
- ✓Travellers: respect local customs · follow safety briefings · no drugs · don t pressure guides for romance or sex · tip-or-don t-tip is your call
- ✓ATL team: uniform · safety-first · no tip-solicitation · no fake extra charges · 24/7 hotline access for you
- ✓We remove travellers who endanger others — no refund for safety removals
- ✓We replace guides reported with serious complaints — guide loses booking + fee
- ✓Complaint route in Booking Terms §13
A1.Cultural respect (for travellers)
When entering temples: shoes off · shoulders + knees covered · no flash photography near monks · no climbing on Buddhas. When visiting villages: ask before photographing children · don t give sweets/money directly to kids (creates dependency) — give to community fund our guide flags.
A2.Safety briefings
Every activity (cave, kayak, mountain, motorbike-back, junk boat) starts with a briefing. We need you to listen and follow. We can t insure or compensate injuries from briefing-ignored behaviour.
A3.Alcohol & drugs
Drink responsibly. We do NOT tolerate drugs of any kind — possession/use is a felony in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Carriers face up to death penalty (Vietnam, Thailand). If our guide reasonably suspects drug use during tour, we will terminate the tour, you forfeit the remaining paid amount, and we cooperate with local authorities. Zero exceptions.
A4.Sexual conduct
Sex tourism (paid or otherwise involving minors) is prohibited and reported to local authorities. Sexual harassment of guides, drivers, hotel staff, or fellow travellers is grounds for immediate tour termination with no refund.
A5.Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but never required. Our guide compensation does NOT depend on tips. Anyone (guide, driver, hotel staff) who solicits tips is a reportable incident — please email complaints@asiatravellinksdmc.com with name + date.
A6.Photography of guides & staff
Please ask before sharing photos of ATL staff publicly. Our guides have private lives.
A7.Reviews
Honest reviews are welcome — good or bad. We do not gift-block reviewers. We do reserve the right to publicly respond to false claims.
B1.Uniform & identification (from ATL)
Every guide wears an ATL polo (navy + small logo) and carries a photo ID. If your "guide" does not have these, do NOT get in the vehicle — call our 24/7 hotline +84 917 506 881.
B2.Safety-first
Our guides have authority to skip an activity if conditions are unsafe (e.g. cave flooded, road monsoon-washed). You do not lose the deposit; we substitute equivalent.
B3.No tip-solicitation
Tip jars in vehicles, "tip suggestion charts" handed out at trip-end, guilt-tripping behaviour — all banned. Report to complaints@asiatravellinksdmc.com; the guide forfeits the booking fee + we credit you USD 50.
B4.No surprise charges
Every cost is on the quote OR explicitly authorised by you in writing during the trip. No "the hotel charged us extra so it s added to your bill" — supplier overcharges are our problem, not yours.
B5.Honest answers
"Why are we visiting this shop?" "Because we get a commission" is acceptable; "no special reason" when there IS a commission is not. If a stop is sponsored, our guide will tell you upfront and you can opt out without affecting the day.
B6.24/7 hotline
+84 917 506 881 reaches a real human in Hanoi office hours and a 24/7 on-call coordinator outside hours. Used for: missed flight, ill traveller, lost passport, "the hotel will not give me my room", "the guide has not shown up". Average response time: under 4 minutes.
B7.Complaint resolution
First raise during trip — most fixable in 4h. If unresolved, complaints@asiatravellinksdmc.com within 28 days post-trip. We aim to respond in 7 business days. If we owe a refund, see Refund Policy. If we are wrong, we will say so in writing.
Report an issue?
For active trip incidents call the 24/7 hotline first. For post-trip complaints email us within 28 days of trip end.