Owners of Guesthouses and Hotels: Until When May They Retain Lodgers' Personal Identification Documents?

According to the provisions in Clauses 2, 3, and 5, Article 44 of Decree 96/2016/ND-CP stipulating the conditions concerning security and order for certain business investment sectors and professions, there are specific provisions regarding the responsibilities of lodging service providers in checking the information of guests, as follows:

- Check the identification documents of lodging guests, including one of the following types of documents: Identity Card; Citizen Identification Card; Passport; Permanent Residence Card or Temporary Residence Card (for foreigners); types of documents with photos issued by Vietnamese state management agencies.

When the guest does not have identification documents, after arranging the room, the lodging service provider must immediately notify the local Police station, ward, commune-level town, or police post managing the area.

- Fully record the information of the lodging guests in the management book (or fully enter the information into the computer) before allowing the guests into the room.

- Check and manage the identification documents of visitors coming to see the lodging guests at the room, fully record the information in the book and return the identification documents when they leave the lodging service premises.

=> Thus, according to the aforementioned regulations, the hotel motel management has the right to hold the identification documents of the guests during the room rental period. They must return the documents when the guests check out and leave.

Sincerely.