Newest regulations on procedures for issuing domestic tour operator license in Vietnam

Newest regulations on procedures for issuing domestic tour operator license in Vietnam (Internet image)

On July 22, 2024, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam issued Decision 1998/QD-BVHTTDL announcing the amendments and supplements to administrative procedures in the field of tourism under the management of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Vietnam.

Newest regulations on procedures for issuing domestic tour operator license in Vietnam 

According to the Appendix issued with Decision 1998/QD-BVHTTDL in 2024, the procedures for issuing domestic tour operator license in Vietnam from August 20, 2024, are as follows:

* Steps to be taken:

- The enterprise applying for a domestic tour operator license submits the application to the Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism where the enterprise is headquartered;

- Within 10 days from the date of receiving a complete application, the Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will review and issue the domestic tour operator license to the enterprise; in case of refusal, a written notice stating the reasons must be provided.

* Methods of Submission:

- Directly or by post to the Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

- Via electronic means if the provincial administrative procedure processing information system has implemented online reception.

* Components and Number of Records:

- Components of the application:

(1) Application for the domestic tour operator license (according to Form No. 01 Appendix II issued with Circular 04/2024/TT-BVHTTDL dated June 26, 2024);

(2) Certified copy of the Business Registration Certificate;

(3) Business Guarantee Certificate for travel services;

(4) Certified copy of the appointment decision or labor contract between the travel service business enterprise and the person in charge of travel services;

(5) Certified copy of the diploma from intermediate level or higher majoring in travel services of the person in charge of travel services, or a certified copy of a diploma from intermediate level or higher in another specialty and a certified copy of the domestic travel operations management certificate. Diplomas issued by foreign training institutions must be recognized according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training, Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

- Number of records: 01 set.

* Processing Time: 10 days from the date of receiving a complete application.

* Eligible Entities: Organizations.

* Processing Agency:

- Authority in charge: Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

- Agency directly handling administrative procedures: Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

* Outcome of Administrative Procedure: domestic tour operator license.

* Fees: 1,500,000 VND/license (Circular 43/2024/TT-BTC dated June 28, 2024, issued by the Minister of Finance, provides the fee schedule, some fees, and charges aimed to continue removing difficulties and supporting production and business activities. Effective from July 1, 2024, until December 31, 2024).

* Application Form:

Application for the domestic tour operator license (according to Form No. 01 Appendix II issued with Circular 04/2024/TT-BVHTTDL );

* Requirements and Conditions for Processing Administrative Procedures:

(1) Must be an enterprise established in accordance with the laws on enterprises;

(2) Must deposit a business guarantee for domestic travel services at a commercial bank, cooperative bank, or foreign bank branch established and operating in Vietnam: 100,000,000 VND (One Hundred Million VND);

(3) The person in charge of travel services must graduate from intermediate level or higher majoring in travel services; if they graduate from another specialty at an intermediate level or higher, they must have a domestic travel operations management certificate.

- The person in charge of travel services is one of the following positions: Chairman of the Board; Chairman of the Members Council; Company President; Owner of a private enterprise; General Director; Director or Deputy Director; Head of the travel services department.

- Major in travel services is reflected in the diploma of one of the following majors, professions, or specialties:

(3.1) Tourism and Travel Service Management;

(3.2) Travel Management;

(3.3) Tour Operation;

(3.4) Tourism Marketing;

(3.5) Tourism;

(3.6) Travel Services;

(3.7) Tourism Management and Business;

(3.8) MICE Tourism Management;

(3.9) Travel Agency;

(3.10) Tour Guiding;

(3.11) Majors, professions, specialties showing terms like “tourism”, “travel services”, “tour guiding” included in diplomas awarded by Vietnamese educational institutions before Circular 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL came into effect from February 1, 2018;

(3.12) Majors, professions, specialties showing terms like “tourism”, “travel services”, “tour guiding” included in diplomas awarded by foreign training institutions.

In cases where the diploma does not show the majors, professions, or specialties stipulated in points (3.11) and (3.12), the transcript or diploma appendix showing the subjects, profession, or specialty containing terms like “tourism”, “travel services”, “tour guiding” can be added.

Le Nguyen Anh Hao

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