NamMads (referred to in this document as “we”, “us”, or “NamMads”) is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use it, who we share it with, and what rights you have in relation to your personal data.

 

This policy applies to all personal information collected through our website at nammads.co.za, our email communications, our Instagram account (@nammadstours), and during the course of our photography tours.

 

By using our website or submitting your information to us, you confirm that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

 

  1. Who We Are

NamMads is a South Africa-based business that organises small-group photography travel experiences to Vietnam. We are the responsible party (as defined under POPIA) for the personal information we collect.

 

Detail

Information

Business name

NamMads

Website

nammads.co.za

Instagram

@nammadstours

Governing law

Republic of South Africa — POPIA

Contact for privacy queries

Contact us via nammads.co.za

 

  1. What Personal Information We Collect

We only collect personal information that is necessary for the purposes described in this policy. The categories of information we collect are as follows:

 

2.1  Information You Provide Directly

Information

When and Why

Name and email address

When you sign up via our website form or download our free guide. Used to send you photography content, tour updates, and our email newsletter.

Phone number

When you make a booking inquiry or register for a tour. Used to communicate with you about your booking.

Passport and visa information

When you confirm a tour booking. Required to assist with Vietnamese visa arrangements on your behalf.

Medical information

When you confirm a tour booking. Required to ensure your safety and fitness to participate in the tour.

 

2.2  Information Captured During the Tour

During the tour, photographs and video footage may be taken in which you appear. With your prior consent, this material may be used for NamMads marketing and promotional purposes as described in Section 5 below.

 

2.3  Information Collected Automatically

When you visit nammads.co.za, certain information is collected automatically through Google Analytics and cookies. This may include your IP address, browser type, pages visited, time spent on the site, and referral source. This information is used in aggregate to understand how visitors use our website and to improve our content. It does not identify you personally.

 

  1. Why We Collect Your Information

We collect and process your personal information only for legitimate, specific purposes. These are:

 

Purpose

Legal Basis Under POPIA

To send you our email newsletter and photography content

Consent — you opted in via our signup form

To process and manage your tour booking

Contractual necessity — required to fulfil your booking

To assist with Vietnamese visa arrangements

Contractual necessity — required to fulfil your booking

To ensure your medical fitness and safety on the tour

Legitimate interest and legal obligation

To improve our website through analytics

Legitimate interest — anonymous aggregate data only

To use tour photographs for marketing purposes

Consent — obtained before the tour commences

 

  1. Third-Party Services We Use

We use the following third-party platforms that may process your personal information on our behalf. Each has its own privacy policy and data protection practices.

 

4.1  Mailchimp

We use Mailchimp to manage our email list and send newsletters. When you sign up via our website, your name and email address are stored in Mailchimp. Mailchimp is GDPR-compliant and operates under appropriate data protection standards. You can unsubscribe from our emails at any time using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email.

 

4.2  Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our website. Google Analytics collects anonymised data about website traffic and behaviour. No personally identifiable information is shared with Google through this tool. You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking by using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on available at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

 

4.3  Instagram

Our website may embed content from our Instagram account (@nammadstours). Instagram is operated by Meta Platforms Inc. When you interact with embedded Instagram content, Meta may collect data in accordance with their own privacy policy. We recommend reviewing Meta’s privacy policy at instagram.com/legal/privacy if you have concerns about this.

 

  1. Photographs and Video Taken During the Tour

Photographs and video footage in which you appear may be taken during the NamMads tour for marketing and promotional purposes, including use on our website, Instagram account, and in email communications.

 

Your Right to Opt Out

If you do not wish to appear in NamMads marketing materials, you must notify us in writing before the tour commences.

Once you have opted out, we will not knowingly use identifiable images of you in our marketing.

Please note that group photographs taken in public spaces may still incidentally include you.

 

  1. How We Store and Protect Your Information

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse. Your information is stored securely and accessed only by NamMads and the third-party platforms described in Section 4.

 

Sensitive information such as passport details and medical information is collected only when necessary for booking purposes and is handled with strict confidentiality. We do not store payment card details — payments are processed through secure third-party payment methods.

 

We retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law.

 

  1. Who We Share Your Information With

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for marketing purposes.

 

We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

 

Recipient

Reason

Vietnamese visa assistance providers

To process your visa application on your behalf, where applicable

Accommodation and transport providers in Vietnam

To confirm bookings made on your behalf as part of the tour

Mailchimp

To manage and send email communications you have consented to receive

Google Analytics

Anonymised website usage data only — no personal identification

Legal authorities

Where required by law or to protect the rights and safety of NamMads or others

 

  1. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a data subject under the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPIA), you have the following rights in relation to your personal information:

 

Your Right

What This Means

Right to access

You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you at any time.

Right to correction

You may request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

Right to deletion

You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to any legal obligations we have to retain it.

Right to object

You may object to the processing of your personal information for direct marketing purposes at any time.

Right to withdraw consent

Where processing is based on your consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

Right to complain

You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa if you believe your rights under POPIA have been violated.

 

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us via nammads.co.za. We will respond to all requests within a reasonable time and in accordance with POPIA requirements.

 

Information Regulator of South Africa

If you are not satisfied with how we have handled your personal information, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator.

Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg

Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za

 

  1. Cookies

Our website uses cookies — small text files stored on your device — to improve your browsing experience and to collect anonymous analytics data through Google Analytics.

 

Cookie Type

Purpose

Essential cookies

Required for the website to function correctly. Cannot be disabled.

Analytics cookies (Google Analytics)

Collect anonymised data about how visitors use the site. Help us improve our content and user experience.

Third-party cookies (Instagram embeds)

Set by Meta when you interact with embedded Instagram content on our site.

 

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

 

  1. Email Communications

When you sign up to receive our newsletter or free photography guide, you are consenting to receive email communications from NamMads. These may include photography tips, tour updates, Hanoi content, and promotional information about NamMads tours.

 

You can unsubscribe from our email list at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email we send, or by contacting us directly. Unsubscribing will not affect any booking or contractual relationship you have with us.

 

  1. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. The most current version will always be available on our website at nammads.co.za. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

 

If we make material changes to how we handle your personal information, we will notify you by email where possible.

 

  1. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy or the way we handle your personal information, please contact us through our website at nammads.co.za.

 

We are committed to resolving any privacy concerns promptly and transparently.