Circular No. 88/2008/TT-BVHTTDL guiding the implementation of Decree No. 92/2007/NĐ-CP dated June 1, 2007 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Tourism Law on tourism accommodation.

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for implementing Decree No. 92/2007/NĐ-CP dated June 1, 2007 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law on accommodation services.

__________________________

Pursuant to the Tourism Law No. 44/2005/QH11 dated June 14, 2005; Decree No. 92/2007/NĐ-CP dated June 1, 2007 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law;

Article 1. Other types of artistic performances

Pursuant to Decision No. 63/2008/QĐ-TTg dated May 19, 2008 of the Prime Minister stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issues guidelines for implementing Decree No. 92/2007/NĐ-CP dated June 1, 2007 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Tourism Law on accommodation services as follows:

This technical regulation sets out technical requirements, testing methods, sampling procedures; management requirements; responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing, trading, and importing cigarettes.

Thông tư này quy định chi tiết khoản 4 Điều 38 Luật Thủy sản số 18/2017/QH14 đã được sửa đổi, bổ sung tại điểm c khoản 21 Điều 14 Luật số 146/2025/QH15.

These guidelines provide guidance on criteria for classification and ranking, registration procedures for ranking accommodation services, operating goods and services subject to conditions within accommodation services, and issuing signs indicating compliance with standards for serving tourists.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

2.1. Scope of Application

These guidelines apply to organizations and individuals in Vietnam, foreign organizations and individuals engaged in accommodation services business in Vietnam; operating food service, shopping services in tourist areas, tourist sites, and tourist cities.

2.2. Exclusions from Application

This Circular does not apply to:

a) Guesthouses operating in accordance with government regulations;

b) Apartment buildings, dormitories, hostels, houses rented to non-tourists.

II. CRITERIA FOR CLASSIFICATION AND RANKING OF ACCOMMODATION SERVICES

1. Criteria for Classification of Accommodation Services

1.1. A hotel is an accommodation service facility with at least ten rooms, ensuring quality in terms of infrastructure, equipment, and necessary services for guests' stay and use of services, including the following types:

a) City hotel is a hotel built in urban areas primarily serving business travelers, official travelers, and sightseeing tourists;

b) Resort hotel is a hotel built as a complex or cluster of villas, apartments, bungalows in scenic natural areas, serving tourists' needs for rest, entertainment, and sightseeing;

c) Floating hotel is a hotel that moves or moors on water;

d) Motel is a hotel built near transportation routes, providing fuel, maintenance, and repair services for vehicles, and other necessary services for tourists.

1.2. Tourist village is an accommodation service facility comprising a collection of villas or other types of accommodation facilities such as apartments, bungalows, and camping grounds, located in areas with tourism resources and beautiful natural scenery, equipped with a system of services including restaurants, bars, shopping outlets, recreational and sports areas, and other amenities for tourists.

1.3. Tourist villa is a villa equipped with facilities and amenities for tourists to rent, allowing self-service during their stay. Three or more tourist villas together form a cluster of tourist villas.

1.4. Tourist apartment is an apartment equipped with facilities and amenities for tourists to rent, allowing self-service during their stay. Ten or more tourist apartments together form a tourist apartment complex.

1.5. Tourist camping ground is an area of land planned in scenic natural areas, equipped with infrastructure and technical facilities for tourism and necessary services for camping.

1.6. Tourist guesthouse is an accommodation service facility equipped with necessary facilities and amenities for tourists similar to hotels but not meeting hotel ranking standards.

1.7. Homestay is a place of residence of the owner or lawful user during rental for tourist accommodation, equipped with facilities and amenities for tourists to rent, which may include additional services based on the host's capacity.

1.8. Other accommodation services include cruise ships, tourist trains, caravans, and tourist tents.

2. Ranking of Accommodation Services

The ranking of accommodation services is carried out according to the National Standard for Ranking Types of Accommodation Services published by the Ministry of Science and Technology in accordance with the Law on Technical Standards and Regulations.

III. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES AND RANKING PROCEDURES FOR ACCOMMODATION SERVICES

1. Registration Procedures for Ranking of Accommodation Services

1.1. The registration procedures for ranking of accommodation services meeting the business standards for accommodation services include:

a) Application for ranking of accommodation services as specified in Appendix 1;

b) Quality assessment form for accommodation services as specified in the National Standard for Ranking Types of Accommodation Services;

c) List of managers and service staff in accommodation services as specified in Appendix 2;

d) Legal copies:

- Business registration of the accommodation service facility, establishment decision of the enterprise (if applicable);

- Academic certificates, qualification certificates, training certificates in tourism management and work experience in the tourism sector;

- Commitment letter or confirmation of compliance with security and social safety conditions;

- Confirmation of compliance with fire prevention conditions;

- Environmental impact report confirmation or environmental protection commitment confirmation from the competent authority;

- Food hygiene and safety certification (for accommodation services providing food services);

e) Receipt of fees for assessing accommodation services according to current regulations.

1.2. For ranking from one to five stars or high-class ranking, in addition to the documents specified in Clause 1.1 of Section 1 Part III of this Circular, there must be legal copies of diplomas and certificates of professional qualifications and language proficiency of heads of reception, room, table, bar, kitchen, and security departments.

2. Ranking Procedures for Accommodation Services

2.1. Within three months from the start of business operations, accommodation service facilities must submit two sets of registration forms for ranking to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the locality for evaluation and ranking according to current regulations.

2.2. The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism receives the registration forms for ranking of accommodation services.

For tourism accommodation establishments applying for a rating of three stars or higher or a high-class rating, within seven working days from the date of receiving a valid application file, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism shall send a copy to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

2.3. Organization of Assessment

a) The Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism shall establish an Assessment Team consisting of three officers or civil servants who are knowledgeable in the specialized management of tourism accommodation to review the application files, assess based on the criteria set forth in the standards for ranking tourism accommodation establishments, and advise the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to issue a decision recognizing the rating within their authority.

b) The General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shall establish an Assessment Team consisting of five officers or civil servants who are knowledgeable in the specialized management of tourism accommodation at both the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to review the application files, assess based on the criteria set forth in the standards for ranking tourism accommodation establishments, and advise the General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to issue a decision recognizing the rating within their authority.

2.4. Reporting Assessment Results

The Assessment Team shall report to the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism or the General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism the results of the assessment, which include:

- A report on the assessment results and the proposed ranking as specified in Appendix 3;

- The record of the assessment of the tourism accommodation establishment as specified in Appendix 4;

- The record of the work of the Assessment Team as specified in Appendix 5;

- The application file for ranking submitted by the tourism accommodation establishment as specified in Section 1 Part III of this Circular.

2.5. Time Limit for Ranking

a) Within one month for application files under the authority of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and two months for application files under the authority of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, starting from the date of receipt of the application file, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism or the General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shall be responsible for organizing the assessment, reviewing, and issuing a decision recognizing the ranking within their authority.

b) Based on the assessment results of the Assessment Team, the Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism or the General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shall review and issue a decision recognizing the appropriate ranking for the tourism accommodation establishment within their authority. In cases where a decision recognizing the ranking is not issued, a written notice must be provided stating the reasons.

2.6. At least three months before the expiration of the period stipulated in the decision recognizing the ranking, the tourism accommodation establishment must submit an application file for re-ranking to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The application file and procedures for requesting re-assessment and re-ranking shall be the same as those for the initial assessment and ranking.

2.7. Upgrading or Downgrading

Tourism accommodation establishments that have been ranked, during the course of business operations, may experience changes in quality:

a) For tourism accommodation establishments that have upgraded and meet the conditions for upgrading, they must submit an application file for a new ranking to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. The application file and procedures for assessment and ranking shall be the same as those for the initial assessment and ranking.

b) For tourism accommodation establishments that fail to maintain their previously assigned ranking, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism or the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shall organize a reassessment and downgrade the ranking of the tourism accommodation establishment.

3. Hanging the Rating Sign and Decision Recognizing the Ranking of Tourism Accommodation Establishments

3.1. The material, color, size, and model of the rating sign for tourism accommodation establishments that have been ranked are specified in Appendix 6.

3.2. The rating sign shall be hung in the main entrance area of the tourism accommodation establishment.

3.3. The decision recognizing the ranking of the tourism accommodation establishment shall be displayed in a visible location at the reception desk.

3.4. Only tourism accommodation establishments that have been ranked from one star to five stars may use the star symbol for decoration and advertising according to the ranking they have received.

IV. OPERATING GOODS AND SERVICES WITH CONDITIONS IN TOURISM ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS

1. In addition to the types and rankings of tourism accommodation establishments prescribed in Clause 1 Article 19 of Decree No. 92/2007/ND-CP dated June 1, 2007 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Tourism, other tourism accommodation establishments must comply with the relevant laws when operating goods and services with conditions.

2. For goods and services where the law only specifies business conditions without requiring a license, tourism accommodation establishments must ensure corresponding conditions for each type of goods and service during the business process.

V. REPORTING ON THE OPERATIONS OF TOURISM ACCOMMODATION ESTABLISHMENTS

1. Within fifteen days from the start of business operations or changes in ownership, company name, or tourism accommodation establishment name, the tourism accommodation establishment must notify the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism as specified in Appendix 7.

2. Quarterly, the tourism accommodation establishment must report on its business operations to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

3. Semi-annually and annually, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism must report the list of tourism accommodation establishments and the results of tourism accommodation business operations in the locality to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism as specified in Appendix 8.

VI. ISSUANCE OF SIGNS INDICATING COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS FOR SERVING TOURIST CUSTOMERS

1. Application for Issuance of Signs

Business establishments providing food and beverage services and shopping services may apply for issuance of signs indicating compliance with standards for serving tourist customers on a voluntary basis.

2. Conditions for Issuance of Signs

2.1. Registration for business and compliance with business conditions as prescribed by law.

2.2. Ensuring the standards specified in Section 3 Part VI of this Circular for each corresponding service.

2.3. Providing parking facilities for customer vehicles.

3. Standards for Issuance of Signs

3.1. For business establishments providing tourism shopping services

a) Goods must have clear origins and ensure quality; no sale of counterfeit goods or goods that do not meet food safety and hygiene standards; prices must be clearly marked and sold at the marked price; provide environmentally friendly packaging bags for customers; take responsibility for exchanging, refunding, or compensating customers for goods that do not meet the promised quality;

b) Staff must wear uniforms and name badges; serve customers enthusiastically, pleasantly, and attentively; do not pressure customers to purchase goods; possess sales skills and knowledge; do not suffer from infectious diseases and do not use addictive substances;

c) A store with easy access; a minimum area of fifty square meters; harmonious and reasonable storefront decoration and product display; a lighting system for the store and display area; a mailbox or guest feedback book placed in a convenient location; a fitting room for customers for clothing items; a customer restroom.

d) Accepting payment by credit card.

3.2. For tourism service establishments

a) Easy access, with a bar counter;

b) Capable of serving a minimum of fifty customers; equipped with appropriate facilities for each type of food and beverage; ensuring food safety and hygiene.

c) Having a menu with listed prices and selling at the prices indicated on the menu;

d) Ensuring food safety and hygiene quality;

đ) A well-ventilated kitchen with high-quality equipment for food storage and preparation;

e) Service staff wearing uniforms suitable for their positions and name badges on their shirts;

g) A separate restroom for customers;

h) Implementing price posting and accepting payment by credit card.

4. Application Documents

4.1. The application form for obtaining a sign as prescribed in Appendix 9.

4.2. A report from the business establishment on its operational status, technical infrastructure, labor conditions, public security, fire prevention, social evil prevention, food safety, and environmental protection.

5. Review, Consideration, and Issuance of the Sign

5.1. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete application documents, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will review, consider, and issue a decision granting the sign to those meeting the standards for tourist service provision. The sign has validity for two years. In cases where the standards are not met, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will notify in writing, specifying the reasons.

5.2. At least three months before the expiration date stated in the decision granting the sign for tourist service provision, the business establishment must submit application documents to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for review, consideration, and issuance of a renewed sign.

6. Revocation of the Decision to Grant the Sign

During operation, if a tourism service establishment that has been granted a sign fails to meet the conditions and standards stipulated in Sections 2 and 3 of Part VI of this Circular, the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism will issue a decision to revoke the sign.

7. Sample Sign

The sample sign for meeting the standards for tourist service provision is specified in Appendix 10.

8. Report of Establishments Granted the Sign

Every six months, tourism service establishments in the food and retail sectors that have been granted a sign for meeting the standards for tourist service provision must report their business operations to the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

VII. IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Circular takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette and replaces Circular No. 01/2001/TT-TCDL dated April 27, 2001, issued by the Tourism General Department to guide the implementation of Decree No. 39/2000/NĐ-CP dated August 24, 2000, of the Government on tourist accommodation establishments.

2. Tourist accommodation establishments that were rated prior to the effective date of this Circular and have not yet reached the re-evaluation period shall retain their existing ratings.

3. Food and retail service establishments that had been granted a sign for meeting the standards for tourist service provision prior to the effective date of this Circular may continue operating and shall be reviewed and reissued a sign within six months from the date this Circular becomes effective by the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

4. During implementation, if there are any difficulties, units should promptly report them to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for guidance, research, and amendment./.