Circular No. 13/2019/TT-BVHTTDL amends and supplements some Articles of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law.

 

CIRCULAR

AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS TO CERTAIN ARTICLES OF CIRCULAR NO. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL DATED DECEMBER 15, 2017 ISSUED BY THE MINISTER OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM REGULATING DETAIL OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE TOURISM LAW

Pursuant to the Tourism Law dated June 19, 2017;

Pursuant to Decree No. 79/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 17, 2017 of the Government stipulatingfunctions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

At the proposal of the Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism;

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism promulgates this Circular amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law.Article 1. Amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law."2. The specialized field of travel agency business as specified at point c Clause 1 and point c Clause 2 Article 31 of the Tourism Law shall be reflected on the graduation certificate of one of the following fields, majors, or specialized fields:

a) Tourism and Travel Management;b) Travel Management;c) Tour Operation;

1. Clause 2 of Article 3 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

d) Tourism Marketing;

e) Tourism;

f) Tourism Travel;

g) Tourism Management and Business;

h) MICE Tourism Management;

i) Travel Agency Agent;

j) Tour Guide;

k) Fields, majors, or specialized fields that may include one of the phrases "tourism," "travel agency," or "tour guide" trained and awarded a graduation certificate by educational institutions in Vietnam before the effective date of this Circular;

l) Fields, majors, or specialized fields that may include one of the phrases "tourism," "travel agency," or "tour guide" trained and awarded a graduation certificate by foreign training institutions."

In case the graduation certificate does not reflect the fields, majors, or specialized fields specified in point k and point l of this clause, then the transcript of graduation or an appendix to the diploma must show the fields, majors, or specialized fields, including one of the phrases "tourism," "travel agency," or "tour guide."

"Article 5a. Structure and volume of the examination for tourism program management skills

1. Structure and volume of the examination for domestic tourism program management skills:

The examination for domestic tourism program management skills consists of three subjects as follows:

a) Multiple-choice test: time limit for answering: 75 minutes; maximum score: 60 points; number of multiple-choice questions: 60 questions, randomly selected from five topics within the basic industry knowledge group as specified in point a Clause 1 Article 4 of this Circular, each topic comprising three questions, and randomly selected from nine topics within the specialized knowledge and skills group as specified in point b Clause 1 Article 4 of this Circular, each topic comprising five questions.

2. Supplement Article 5a as follows:

b) Essay test: time limit for answering: 75 minutes; maximum score: 40 points; minimum number of questions: two questions, each question may have one or more parts, randomly selected from at least two topics within the specialized knowledge and skills group as specified in point b Clause 1 Article 4 of this Circular, each topic comprising one question.

c) Practical test: practical time: 90 minutes; total maximum score: 100 points; content: practical application of tourism program management skills and answering scenario questions, specifically as follows:

- Practical application of domestic tourism program management skills on computer and presentation: practical time on computer and presentation: 80 minutes; maximum score: 70 points; theme: building and pricing a domestic tourism program according to a route for domestic tourists.

- Answering scenario questions: preparation and response time: 10 minutes; maximum score: 30 points; theme: resolving issues arising during the implementation of a tourism program for domestic tourists.

2. Structure and volume of the examination for international tourism program management skills:

The examination for international tourism program management skills consists of three subjects as follows:

a) Multiple-choice test: time limit for answering: 75 minutes; maximum score: 60 points; number of multiple-choice questions: 60 questions, randomly selected from six topics within the basic industry knowledge group as specified in point a Clause 2 Article 4 of this Circular, each topic comprising three questions, and randomly selected from eleven topics within the specialized knowledge and skills group as specified in point b Clause 2 Article 4 of this Circular, each topic comprising four questions, except for the topics on the application of information technology in management and development of enterprises and on foreign currency and international payments in tourism, each topic comprising three questions.

b) Essay test: time limit for answering: 75 minutes; maximum score: 40 points; minimum number of questions: two questions, each question may have one or more parts, randomly selected from at least two topics within the specialized knowledge and skills group as specified in point b Clause 2 Article 4 of this Circular, each topic comprising one question.

- Practical application of international tourism program management skills for inbound tourists and outbound tourists on computer and presentation: practical time on computer and presentation: 80 minutes; maximum score: 70 points; theme: building and pricing an international tourism program according to a route for international tourists.

- Answering scenario questions: preparation and response time: 10 minutes; maximum score: 30 points; theme: resolving issues arising during the implementation of a tourism program for inbound tourists and outbound tourists."

3. Point a and point b Clause 1 Article 5 are amended and supplemented as follows:

"a) Is an educational institution of college level or higher with the function of training fields, majors, or specialized fields as specified in Clause 2 Article 3 of this Circular;

The examination for international tourism program management skills consists of three subjects as follows:

b) Has an examination organization plan including the main contents as follows: a question bank meeting the content stipulated in Articles 4 and 5a of this Circular; examination procedures; technical facilities and examination board;"

4. Point b Clause 2 Article 5 is amended and supplemented as follows:

"b) Shall be responsible for reviewing and approving the content of the question bank for tourism program management skills and updating and supplementing the question bank every two years;"

5. Point d Clause 2 Article 5 is amended and supplemented as follows:

b) Include a proposal for organizing the examination, which mainly includes the following contents: a question bank that meets the provisions of Article 4 and Article 5a of this Circular; organization procedures; technical facilities and examination board;

4. Point b Clause 2 Article 5 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"b) Be responsible for reviewing and approving the content of the question bank for tourism management operations and updating and supplementing the question bank every two years;"

5. Point d Clause 2 Article 5 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"d) Send notice accompanied by the examination organization plan as stipulated in point b clause 1 of this Article to the General Department of Tourism at least 30 days before the first examination session; send notice at least 15 days before subsequent examination sessions;"

6. Point b clause 3 Article 5 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"b) Guide and inspect the examination organization work and issuance of tour guide vocational certificates;"

7. Add point d clause 3 Article 5 as follows:

"d) Announce the list of educational institutions authorized to organize examinations and issue tour guide vocational certificates on the electronic travel management website of the General Department of Tourism within ten days from the date of receipt of the notice of the first examination session from the educational institution;"

8. Clause 4 Article 5 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"4. Domestic tour guide vocational certificates and international tour guide vocational certificates shall be issued to individuals who achieve at least 50% of the total points in each subject of the domestic tour guide vocational examination and the international tour guide vocational examination. The certificates shall be issued within thirty days from the date of the examination;"

9. Clause 3 Article 8 shall be amended as follows:

"3. Display prices and sell at the displayed price;"

10. Point c and point d clause 1 Article 13 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"c) Hold a college degree or higher from a foreign country's program taught in the official language of that country. In cases where the program is taught in a language other than the official language of the country, additional documentation proving the language of instruction must be provided;"

d) Possess a foreign language certificate at level 4 or higher under the six-level Vietnamese Foreign Language Proficiency Framework or a certificate meeting the required level as specified in Appendix I of this Circular, valid for issuance by an authorized organization or agency;"

11. Add Article 15a as follows:

"Article 15a. Structure and volume of the tour guiding vocational examination

1. Structure and volume of the domestic tour guiding vocational examination:

The domestic tour guiding vocational examination consists of three subjects as follows:

a) Multiple-choice test: duration: 75 minutes; evaluation score: 60 points; number of questions: 60 questions comprising a random selection of 24 questions on four topics from the basic industry knowledge group as stipulated in point a clause 1 of Article 14 of this Circular, with each topic containing six questions, and a random selection of 36 questions on six topics from the specialized knowledge and vocational skills group as stipulated in point b clause 1 of Article 14 of this Circular, with each topic containing six questions.

b) Essay test: duration: 75 minutes; maximum evaluation score: 40 points; number of questions: at least two questions, each question may contain one or more parts, comprising a random selection of at least two topics from the specialized knowledge and vocational skills group as stipulated in point b clause 1 of Article 14 of this Circular, with each topic containing one question.

c) Practical test: duration: 20 minutes; maximum evaluation score: 100 points; content: practical tour guiding vocational skills and situational question answering, specifically as follows:

- Practical tour guiding for domestic tourists: preparation and presentation time: 15 minutes; maximum evaluation score: 70 points; topic: introduction to Vietnam's culture, geography, people, and tourist destinations.

- Situational question answering: preparation and response time: five minutes; maximum evaluation score: 30 points; topic: resolving issues arising during the tour guiding of domestic tourists.

2. Structure and volume of the international tour guiding vocational examination:

- Practical application of domestic tourism program management skills on computer and presentation: practical time on computer and presentation: 80 minutes; maximum score: 70 points; theme: building and pricing a domestic tourism program according to a route for domestic tourists.

a) Multiple-choice test: duration: 75 minutes; maximum evaluation score: 60 points; number of questions: 60 questions comprising a random selection of 25 questions on five topics from the basic industry knowledge group as stipulated in point a clause 2 of Article 14 of this Circular, with each topic containing five questions, and a random selection of 35 questions on nine topics from the specialized knowledge and vocational skills group as stipulated in point b clause 2 of Article 14 of this Circular, with each topic containing four questions, except for the topic on travel health which contains three questions.

b) Essay test: duration: 75 minutes; maximum evaluation score: 40 points; number of questions: at least two questions, each question may contain one or more parts, comprising a random selection of at least two topics from the specialized knowledge and vocational skills group as stipulated in point b clause 2 of Article 14 of this Circular, with each topic containing one question.

c) Practical test: duration: 20 minutes; maximum evaluation score: 100 points; content: practical tour guiding vocational skills and situational question answering, specifically as follows:

- Practical tour guiding for international tourists: preparation and presentation time: 15 minutes; maximum evaluation score: 70 points; topic: introduction to Vietnam's and other countries' cultures, geography, people, and tourist destinations.

- Situational question answering: preparation and response time: five minutes; maximum evaluation score: 30 points; topic: resolving issues arising during the tour guiding of international tourists."

12. Point a and point b clause 1 Article 15 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"a) Be an educational institution of college level or higher with the function of training tourism guiding and travel service management professions;

b) Have an examination organization plan including the following main contents: question bank corresponding to the content stipulated in Articles 14 and 15a of this Circular; organization process; technical facilities and examination board;"

13. Point b clause 2 Article 15 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"b) Be responsible for reviewing and approving the content of the tour guiding vocational question bank and updating and supplementing it every two years;"

14. Point d clause 2 Article 15 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"d) Send notice accompanied by the examination organization plan as stipulated in point b clause 1 of this Article to the General Department of Tourism at least 30 days before the first examination session; send notice at least 15 days before subsequent examination sessions;"

15. Point b, Point c Clause 3 Article 15 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"b) Guide and inspect the examination organization work and issuance of tour guiding vocational certificates;"

c) Require educational institutions not to organize tourism guide vocational exams when it is found that the educational institution does not meet the criteria specified in Clause 1 of this Article until such criteria are met;"

16. Supplement Point d of Clause 3, Article 15 as follows:

"d) Publish the list of educational institutions organizing exams and issuing certificates for tourism guide vocational qualifications on the electronic management website of tour guides of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism within ten days from the date of receiving the first notification from the educational institution."

17. Clause 4, Article 15 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"4. Domestic tourism guide vocational certificates and international tourism guide vocational certificates shall be issued to individuals who achieve at least 50% of the points in each subject of the domestic tourism guide examination and the international tourism guide vocational examination. The certificates shall be issued within thirty days from the date of the examination."

18. Clause 2, Article 17 shall be amended and supplemented as follows:

"2. Departments of Tourism, Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Departments of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism shall announce plans for organizing knowledge update courses and issue Certificates of Knowledge Update Courses for domestic and international tour guides. The Certificate of Knowledge Update Course for tour guides is valid nationwide."

19. Clause 1, Article 18 shall be amended as follows:

"1. Annex I: List of foreign language certificates issued by authorized agencies."

Article 2. Abolish and Replace

1. Replace Annex I promulgated together with Circular No. 06/2018/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with Annex I promulgated together with this Circular.

2. Replace Model No. 11 of Annex II promulgated together with Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with Annex II promulgated together with this Circular.

3. Replace Model No. 12 of Annex II promulgated together with Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with Annex III promulgated together with this Circular.

4. Replace Model No. 03 of Annex III promulgated together with Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with Annex IV promulgated together with this Circular.

5. Replace some phrases:

a) Replace the phrase "Department of Tourism, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism" in Clause 2, Article 2, Clause 3, Article 17, Model No. 01 of Annex V of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with the phrase "Department of Tourism, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Department of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism".

b) Replace the phrase "Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism" in Model No. 01, Model No. 02, Model No. 10, Model No. 13 of Annex II; Model No. 01 of Annex III; Model No. 01, Model No. 02 of Annex V of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with the phrase "Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism".

c) Replace the phrase "Department of Tourism or Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism" in Model No. 04, Model No. 05, Model No. 06, Model No. 07, Model No. 08, Model No. 09 of Annex II; Model No. 02 of Annex V of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with the phrase "Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism".

d) Replace the phrase "Department of Tourism (SDL) or Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (SVHTTDL)" in the Notes section of Model No. 01 of Annex III of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with the phrase "Department of Tourism (SDL); Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism (SVHTTDL); Department of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism (SVHTTTTDL)".

đ) Replace the phrase "Department of Tourism/Department of VHTTDL" in Model No. 03 of Annex IV promulgated together with Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law with the phrase "Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Department of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism".

6. Repeal Point a of Clause 3, Article 5, Point a of Clause 3, Article 15 of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law.

7. Repeal the phrase "as prescribed by the General Statistics Office" in the Notes section of Model No. 01 and the Notes section of Model No. 02 of Annex III promulgated together with Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law.

The Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Heads of relevant units under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Directors of Departments of Tourism, Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Departments of Culture, Information, Sports and Tourism, Heads of educational institutions organizing exams and issuing certificates for travel operation vocational qualifications and tourism guide vocational qualifications; organizations and individuals related to this matter are responsible for implementing this Circular.

Article 4. Implementation provisions

This Circular takes effect from January 20, 2020./.