Conditions and procedures for recognition of a tourist attraction in Vietnam

Conditions and procedures for recognition of a tourist attraction in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. Conditions for recognition of a tourist attraction in Vietnam

According to Article 23 of the Law on Tourism 2017 and Article 11 of Decree 168/2017/ND-CP, a tourist attraction will be recognized as a tourist attraction if it:

- Has tourism resources and a definite boundary:

There are tourism resources and boundaries shown on a topographic map certified by a competent authority. The scale of the map varies depending on management requirements and topography.

- Has necessary infrastructure and services to serve tourists, including:

+ Transport and communications system;

+ Electricity and clean water;

+ Tourist attraction signs;

+ Food and shopping services.

- Satisfies conditions for security, social order and security and environmental protection in accordance with regulations of law., including:

+ 24 hour security guards must be available;

+ Telephone and address of organizations and individuals in charge of managing tourist attraction must be published;

+ Methods for receiving and promptly settling tourists’ complaints must be adopted;

+ Public toilets must be clean, ventilated and well lit. A sufficient number of public toilets must be provided at peak times.

+ Measures for collecting and treating wastes and domestic wastewater must be adopted in accordance with the law on environmental protection. Environmental services personnel must be available;

+ Fire fighting measures must be adopted in accordance with regulations of law.

2. Application and procedures for recognition of a tourist attraction in Vietnam

2.1. Application for recognition of a tourist attraction

An application for recognition of a tourist attraction includes:

- An application form for recognition of a tourist attraction according to the form specified by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

- An explanatory document on the conditions for recognition of a tourist attraction in Item (1).

2.2. Procedures for submission of an application for recognition

Procedures for submission of an application for recognition of a tourist attraction:

- An operator of the tourist attraction shall submit 01 application to a tourism authority affiliated to the People’s Committee of the province (below collectively referred to as “tourism authority of the province”) where the tourist attraction is located;

- Within 20 days from the day on which a valid application is received, the tourism authority of the province shall assess and submit it to the People’s Committee of the province;

- Within 10 days from the day on which the assessment results are available, the People’s Committee of the province shall decide to recognize the tourist attraction; in case of refusal, a written response stating reasons thereof must be given

(Article 24 of the Law on Tourism 2017)

3. Rights and obligations of operators of tourist attractions in Vietnam

Rights and obligations of operators of tourist attractions are specified in Article 25 of the Law on Tourism 2017 as follows:

- An operator of the tourist attraction has the following rights:

+ Invest in, use and protect tourism resources;

+ Issue regulations; provide services for tourists;

+ Provide guiding services; specify and manage the employment of tour guides under their management;

+ Collect fees in accordance with law.

- An operator of the tourist attraction has the following obligations:

+ Satisfy the conditions prescribed in item (1);

+ Enable tourists to visit the tourist attraction;

+ Manage and supervise the provision of tourism services under their management;

+ Ensure the safety of tourists, social order and security, environmental protection in the tourist attraction;

+ Receive and promptly settle complaints from tourists under their management.

Diem My

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