What is a tourist area? Procedures for recognition of a tourism area in Vietnam

What is a tourist area? Procedures for recognition of a tourism area in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. What is a tourist area?

According to Clause 6, Article 3 of the Law on Tourism 2017, a tourism area means an area which has tourism resources and has been properly planned and invested for development with the aim of meeting the various demands of tourists. Tourism area includes provincial tourism areas and national tourism areas.

2. Conditions for recognition of tourist areas

Conditions for recognition of a tourist area according to Clauses 1 and 2, Article 26 of the Law on Tourism 2017 are as follows:

* A tourist area will be recognized as a provincial tourism area if it:

- Has tourism resources with advantages of natural landscapes or cultural values and has a definite boundary;

- Has infrastructure and services that meet accommodation and food demand and other demands of tourists;

- Is connected to national traffic infrastructure system and national telecommunications;

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

* A tourism area will be recognized as a national tourism area if it:

- Has various and extremely attractive tourism resources with advantages of natural landscapes or cultural values and has a definite boundary;

- Is included in the list of areas with potential for development of national tourism area approved by a competent authority;

- Has high-quality and uniform infrastructure and services that meet accommodation and food demand and other demands of tourists;

- Satisfies the conditions prescribed in Point c and Point d, Clause 1 of Article 26 of the Law on Tourism 2017;

3.  Procedures for recognition of a tourism area in Vietnam

3.1. Application and procedures for recognition of a provincial tourism area in Vietnam

Application and procedures for recognition of a provincial tourism area according to Article 27 of the Law on Tourism 2017 are as follows:

- An application for recognition of a provincial tourism area includes:

+ An application form for recognition of a provincial tourism area according to the form specified by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

+ An explanatory document on the conditions for recognition of a provincial tourism area according to Clause 1, Article 26 of this Law.

- Procedures for recognition of a provincial tourism area:

+ The People’s Committee of district or an operator of the tourism area shall submit 01 application to a tourism authority of the province where the tourism area is located;

+ Within 45 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 15 days from the day on which the assessment results are received, the People’s Committee of the province shall decide to recognize the provincial tourism area; in case of refusal, a written response stating reasons thereof must be given.

- For the tourism area that is located in 02 administrative units of districts or more, the tourism authority of the province shall make an application for recognition of a provincial tourism area.

The People’s Committee shall establish an assessment council and decide to recognize the provincial tourism area.

- The People’s Committee of the province shall revoke the decision on recognition of a provincial tourism area in case such tourism area no longer satisfies the conditions set forth in Clause 1, Article 26 of the Law on Tourism 2017.

3.2. Application and procedures for recognition of a national tourism area in Vietnam

Application and procedures for recognition of a national tourism area according to Article 28 of the Law on Tourism 2017 are as follows:

- An application for recognition of a national tourism area includes:

+ An application form for recognition of a national tourism area according to the form specified by the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

+ An explanatory document on the conditions for recognition of a national tourism area according to Clause 2, Article 26 of the Law on Tourism 2017.

- The procedures for recognition of a national tourism area:

+ The People’s Committee of the province shall submit 01 application to the General Department of Tourism;

+ Within 45 days from the day on which a valid application is received, the General Department of Tourism shall assess and submit it to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

+ Within 15 days from the day on which the assessment results are received, to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall decide to recognize and cooperate with the People’s Committee of the province in announcing the national tourism area; in case of refusal, a written response stating reasons thereof must be given.

- For the tourism area that is located in 02 administrative units of provinces or more, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall make an application for recognition of a national tourism area and submit it to the Prime Minister for recognition.

- The person who has the power to recognize a national tourism area shall revoke the decision on recognition in case such tourism area no longer satisfies the conditions set forth in Clause 2, Article 26 of the Law on Tourism 2017.

Quoc Dat

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