Terms & Conditions

About these terms

These terms apply when you book or enquire about an experience with Free Walking Tours Hanoi (“we”, “us”, “our”) through our website, WhatsApp, email, or a partner booking platform. Different products use different payment models; the sections below explain which rules apply to free public walking tours versus paid, private, or custom bookings.

Bookings & confirmation

A WhatsApp or email message is a request, not a confirmed place. A booking is confirmed only when you receive written confirmation from us or from the booking platform you used, with the tour name, date, start window, meeting details, and guide identifier when available.

Public shared departures need at least 4 participants in total for that date and start window. Solo travellers and smaller parties may still enquire; a submitted request is not a confirmed place. If the minimum is not reached, the public departure does not operate. We aim to notify affected guests and offer rescheduling where practical. A separately quoted private alternative may be offered subject to availability and written confirmation — it is not automatic or guaranteed.

For public walks booked directly with us, operational confirmation that the shared departure will run is normally sent approximately one day before the date. This timing is an operating expectation, not a guaranteed deadline.

After your booking is confirmed in writing, the guide or team may contact you on WhatsApp approximately 1–2 days before departure with final meeting details. A guide message is not booking confirmation; contact timing is approximate, not a fixed deadline.

Payment

Free public walking tours (tip-based group walks booked directly with us) do not have a mandatory participation fee or fixed tour price. Tips are voluntary and never required. Optional tip guidance is approximately €13–15 per person after a public walk; you are free to decide whether and how much to tip. Food, drinks, optional admissions, and transport remain separate unless your written confirmation says otherwise. On the public Street Food walk, guests pay food and drink vendors directly for what they choose.

Paid, private, or custom bookings are priced and paid under the terms confirmed in writing for that arrangement. Bookings made through a third-party platform follow that platform's payment terms.

Cancellations & changes

Free public walking tours (direct bookings)

• Please notify us as early as possible if you cannot attend. There is no participation fee to refund for these walks.
• If we cancel a departure because the public minimum is not met, for safety, weather, or other operational reasons, we aim to notify you and offer rescheduling where practical. A private alternative may be offered subject to availability and separate confirmation; it is not guaranteed.

Paid, private, custom, or platform bookings

Cancellation, changes, and refunds follow the written terms for that booking or the third-party platform's policy. If specific terms are not set out in your confirmation, contact us for the applicable written booking terms — we do not apply a universal penalty schedule across paid products on this page.

Punctuality

Free public walking tours: please arrive at the meeting point on time. Groups may depart at the scheduled start. Late arrivals may find the group has already left and joining cannot be guaranteed.

Paid, private, or custom bookings: punctuality expectations are set out in your written confirmation or platform terms.

Health, safety & conduct

You are responsible for ensuring you are fit to take part in the walking, cycling, or trekking activity you book. Please tell us in advance about any medical condition, allergy, or mobility need. We reserve the right to end the tour for any guest behaving in a way that endangers themselves, other guests, our guide, or the public.

Travel insurance

We strongly recommend that every guest holds valid travel insurance covering medical care, personal accident, and trip disruption while in Vietnam.

Liability

Free Walking Tours Hanoi is not liable for loss, damage, injury, or additional expense arising from circumstances outside our reasonable control, including weather, traffic, transport disruption, illness, or acts of any third party. Nothing in these terms limits any liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

Photos & content

Guides occasionally take photos during tours and may share them on our website or social media. If you would prefer not to appear, please tell your guide at the start of the tour.

Contact

Questions about these terms? Email realfreewalkingtourshanoi@gmail.com or WhatsApp +84 971 986 466.