Beware of tricks in 'vacation ownership' contracts

On June 6, the General Department of Tourism issued Document No. 906/TCDL-KS to the Department of Tourism Management of provinces and cities regarding propaganda so that tourists understand the information before signing a "vacation ownership" contract.

This agency said it has received many petitions and letters from citizens related to the purchase of "vacation ownership" services. The content reflects that in addition to the buyer (vacation owner) having the obligation to pay the vacation provider the amount according to the contract value, they also have to pay annual fees or maintenance fees for each year that are adjusted up or down irregularly, causing damage to the owners; confusing buyers through advertising activities or concealing, providing incomplete, misleading, inaccurate information about the product, service and some other content.

Cảnh giác với những thủ đoạn trong hợp đồng 'sở hữu kỳ nghỉ' - Ảnh 1. — Currently, many resorts and hotels in Vietnam are selling "vacation ownership".

To ensure the legitimate rights of customers, the General Department of Tourism recommends that local tourism management departments promote awareness among people about the "vacation ownership" model according to the recommendations of the National Competition Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Specifically, before deciding to participate in an event introducing and offering "vacation ownership", it is necessary to find out information about the type of product and service that will be introduced at the event as well as the supplier. Before deciding to sign a contract, it is necessary to request a full set of contracts and carefully research the needs of yourself and your family; compare the information advertised, offered or "verbal commitments" of the business with the official terms and conditions in the draft contract...

In particular, customers must clearly identify all costs to be paid during the contract term. Most of the current "vacation ownership" contracts are long-term contracts and in addition to the fixed fee from the beginning, consumers will also have to pay many other fees arising during the implementation process such as maintenance fees, annual fees, management fees, operating fees, fees for exercising the right to exchange resort locations... These costs may only be specified in the contract, not in the advertising and sales information and may not be clearly and fully specified.

For example, the conditions and restrictions for the buyer in enjoying and transferring the right to vacation such as: the time when the right to vacation can begin to be exercised, can this service be transferred to another person, if so, how long after signing the contract or using the service, are there any conditions attached...

Timeshare ownership is the purchase of the right to stay at a resort/hotel for a fixed period of time during the year, depending on the initial buyer's choice. This right to stay has a very long term, which can be up to several decades or the entire life of the project.

Terms that are unfavorable to customers may also appear in the contract: Restricting the buyer's right to complain or sue; not allowing consumers to cancel the contract; unfair sanctions for violations between the two parties; cases where the service provider is exempted from liability such as not being granted a construction permit by a state agency (for projects/hotels) or the third party not continuing to cooperate (for projects/hotels)...

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