DECREE

Detailed Implementation of Certain Provisions of the Tourism Law

__________________

GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Tourism Law on June 14, 2005;

Considering the proposal of the General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

DECREE:

Chapter I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and applicable subjects

1. Scope of Regulation: This Decree provides detailed implementation of certain provisions of the Tourism Law concerning tourism resources; tourism development planning; tourist areas, tourist sites, tourism cities; tour guiding; tourism promotion; tourism business operations; and state management of tourism.

第二条 组织和实施奖励工作的支出水平，如政府第152/2025/NĐ-CP号决定关于分级授权和奖励领域的分权规定

a) Vietnamese organizations and individuals, foreign organizations and individuals engaged in tourism activities within the territory of Vietnam;

b) Agencies, organizations, individuals, and community residents involved in activities related to tourism.

Article 2. Policies to Promote Tourism Development

1. Investment projects for building national tourist areas, eco-tourist areas, cultural parks with sports and entertainment activities included in the list of preferential investment fields and preferential investment locations as prescribed by the Government shall enjoy the following incentives:

a) Preferential treatment on export tax, import tax, corporate income tax as prescribed by the Government;

b) Exemption or reduction of land use tax, land use fee, land lease fee or water surface lease fee for land allocated or leased according to the laws on land and tax laws.

2. Investment projects for expanding, upgrading, and constructing new tourism training and vocational education facilities; investment projects for developing tourism in areas with special difficulties in socio-economic conditions, and areas with difficulties in socio-economic conditions shall enjoy forms of preferential investment credit from the State as prescribed by the Government.

3. Other policies as prescribed by law.

4. Based on the State budget capacity and the requirements for tourism development during each period, the State shall provide financial support for the following activities:

a) Protecting, restoring tourism resources and tourism environment, preventing, controlling, and remedying environmental incidents in tourist areas and tourist sites;

b) Building tourism infrastructure in national tourist areas, national tourist sites; tourist areas and tourist sites in localities with potential for tourism development located in areas with special difficulties in socio-economic conditions, and areas with difficulties in socio-economic conditions.

5. The funding for tourism promotion activities is stipulated as follows:

a) The central government budget allocates funds for tourism promotion activities carried out by central-level state agencies responsible for tourism management;

b) Local government budgets allocate funds for tourism promotion activities carried out by provincial People's Committees (hereinafter referred to as Provincial People's Committees).

Chapter II

TOURISM RESOURCES AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Article 3. Survey and Evaluation of Tourism Resources

1. Content of Tourism Resource Survey:

a) Geographic location of the resource;

b) Characteristics of the resource;

c) Value of the resource for tourism purposes;

d) Current status, conservation capability, exploitation and utilization of the resource.

2. The central-level state agency responsible for tourism management shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and provincial People's Committees to develop and promulgate regulations on surveying, evaluating, and classifying tourism resources to serve as a basis for consistent implementation nationwide.

3. Organizations and individuals managing or owning tourism resources shall cooperate with competent state agencies to carry out the task of surveying tourism resources.

Article 4. Tourism Development Planning

1. Tourism development planning includes overall tourism development planning and specific tourism development planning.

2. Overall tourism development planning must be established based on the national economic and social development strategy and plan, the national tourism development strategy, and must be consistent both in content and timing.

3. Overall tourism development planning must be supplemented and adjusted promptly to ensure consistency and alignment with the national economic and social development strategy and plan, and the national tourism development strategy.

Article 5. Publicizing Tourism Development Planning

1. Tourism development planning must be publicly announced, at the latest within thirty days from the date it becomes effective.

2. The central state management agency for tourism shall announce the tourism development planning approved by the Prime Minister.

3. The People's Committee of the province shall announce the tourism development planning within its approval authority.

Chapter III

TOURIST AREAS, TOURIST SPOTS, TOURIST CITIES

Article 6. Recognition of National Tourist Areas

The Prime Minister decides to recognize national tourist areas when the following conditions are met:

1. Possessing particularly attractive tourism resources with advantages in natural scenery, capable of attracting many tourists.

2. Having a minimum area of one thousand hectares.

3. Capable of ensuring service for at least one million tourist visits per year.

4. Having a tourism development plan approved by the competent authority.

5. Having a layout and space that meet the requirements of sightseeing, rest, and entertainment activities within the tourist area.

6. Having infrastructure, technical facilities, and tourism services meeting technical standards issued by the competent state management agency.

7. Having tourist accommodation, recreational and sports areas, and other synchronized service facilities.

Article 7. Recognition of National Tourist Spots

The Prime Minister decides to recognize national tourist spots when the following conditions are met:

1. Possessing particularly attractive tourism resources.

2. Capable of ensuring service for at least one hundred thousand tourist visits per year.

3. Having convenient transportation to the tourist spot, including parking lots, public sanitation facilities, fire prevention and firefighting systems, water supply and drainage, communication services, and other services meeting the needs of tourists.

4. Meeting the legal requirements for security, safety, order, and environmental hygiene.

Article 8. Recognition of Local Tourist Areas

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee recognizes local tourist areas when the following conditions are met:

1. Possessing attractive tourism resources.

2. Having a minimum area of two hundred hectares.

3. Capable of ensuring service for at least one hundred thousand tourist visits per year.

4. Meeting the provisions of Clause 4, Clause 5, and Clause 6 of Article 6 of this Decree.

Article 9. Recognition of Local Tourist Spots

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee recognizes local tourist spots when the following conditions are met:

1. Possessing attractive tourism resources.

2. Capable of ensuring service for at least ten thousand tourist visits per year.

3. Meeting the provisions of Clause 3 and Clause 4 of Article 7 of this Decree.

Article 10. Management of tourist areas

1. Contents of management of tourist areas:

a) Publicize the overall planning, specific planning for developing the tourist area;

b) Manage the implementation of planning and investment according to the planning approved by the competent authority;

c) Inspect and supervise the content and progress of implementing investment projects that have been approved by the competent authority;

d) Identify, propose, and recommend to the competent authority investment projects that do not comply with the planning or have negative impacts on the landscape and environment;

đ) Manage business activities and services in accordance with current laws applicable to each type of business;

e) Inspect and supervise the quality of services provided by tourism businesses and other service providers;

g) Protect and maintain tourism resources and the environment;

h) Ensure environmental hygiene, fire prevention, security, and safety within the tourist area;

i) Organize rescue operations and ensure safety for tourists;

k) Propose and recommend to the competent authority to handle violations by businesses causing environmental pollution or damaging tourism resources;

l) Implement other contents as prescribed by law.

2. Tourist Area Management Board

a) The Chairman of the People's Committee of the province decides to establish the Tourist Area Management Board within the administrative boundaries under its jurisdiction;

b) The Tourist Area Management Board performs the tasks stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article;

c) For tourist areas within the administrative boundaries of two provinces or centrally governed cities or more, the Tourist Area Management Board, in addition to performing the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article, must also implement the management regulations for tourist areas issued by the central state administration agency responsible for tourism.

Article 11. Recognition of Tourism Cities

1. The Prime Minister decides to recognize a tourism city when it meets the following conditions:

a) Complies with the regulations on cities as prescribed by law;

b) Has attractive tourism resources within the city boundary or adjacent areas;

c) Has convenient transportation to tourist areas and attractions;

d) Has technical infrastructure meeting the requirements to serve tourists;

đ) Has a synchronized system of material and technical facilities reaching standards and technical norms issued by the competent state management agency, capable of meeting diverse needs of domestic and international tourists.

2. The Prime Minister recognizes a tourism city based on the results of the review of the dossier submitted by the Minister of Construction to the Prime Minister.

Chapter IV

TOURISM BUSINESS

Article 12. Operator of travel business activities

1. The operator of travel business activities must have at least three years of work experience in the travel industry (for domestic travel business); four years (for international travel business).

2. The work experience in the travel industry of the operator of travel business activities is determined by the total time directly working in the following fields:

a) Management of travel activities;

b) Tour guiding;

c) Promotion and marketing of tourism;

d) Development and operation of tour programs;

đ) Research and teaching on travel and tour guiding.

3. The work experience in the travel industry of the operator of travel business activities is determined through confirmation letters from the agencies, organizations, or enterprises where they have worked or are currently working; other valid documents confirming their work experience in the travel industry.

Article 13. Rights and Obligations of International Travel Agencies

1. International travel agencies have the following rights:

a) To independently conduct business and bear responsibility for their tourism business activities;

b) To request competent state authorities to review personnel for entry, exit, and transit for foreign tourists;

c) To be protected by the State for lawful tourism business operations;

d) To participate in tourism promotion activities; join professional associations;

đ) Other rights as prescribed by law.

2. International travel agencies have the following obligations:

a) To establish a business entity, register, and operate in accordance with the provisions of the law;

b) To only use individuals with international tour guide licenses to guide foreign tourists and must comply with regulations on labor usage;

c) To notify the provincial tourism management authority within the latest period of thirty days from the date of changing the person managing the travel agency business activity;

d) To monitor and accurately record the number of tourists served directly by the business;

đ) To ensure the conditions and benefits of tourists according to the contents agreed upon;

e) Fulfill other obligations as prescribed by law.

Article 14. Tourism Insurance

1. Vietnamese tourists traveling abroad must purchase tourism insurance.

2. Foreign tourists entering Vietnam for tourism are encouraged to purchase tourism insurance (if not already insured in their home country).

3. Domestic tourists are encouraged to buy tourism insurance during the implementation of their travel programs.

4. Tourism insurance for tourists must be purchased from an insurance company permitted to operate in Vietnam.

5. The enterprise purchasing insurance for tourists has the responsibility to coordinate with the receiving insurance company to promptly fulfill insurance obligations when tourists encounter risks requiring insurance payouts.

Article 15. Deposit of International Travel Agencies

1. International travel agencies must deposit according to the prescribed regulations.

2. The deposit amount is two hundred fifty (250) million VND.

3. The deposit funds shall be used to compensate tourists in cases where the business breaches contracts with tourists; to address risks for tourists who did not purchase tourism insurance.

4. The State Bank shall specify detailed regulations on deposits after coordinating with the Ministry of Finance and the central-level tourism management authority.

Article 16. Travel Agencies with Foreign Investment Capital

1. Travel agencies with foreign investment capital shall operate in accordance with the provisions of Article 51 of the Tourism Law.

2. The central-level tourism management authority shall cooperate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Trade, and related agencies to specify detailed regulations on travel agencies with foreign investment capital.

Article 17. Tourist Accommodation Facilities

1. Types of tourist accommodation facilities include:

a) Hotels;

b) Tourism villages;

c) Tourist villas;

d) Tourist apartments;

đ) Tourist camping sites;

e) Guesthouses;

g) Houses with rooms for tourists to rent;

h) Other types of tourist accommodation facilities.

2. The central-level tourism management authority shall stipulate and announce specific criteria for each type and category of tourist accommodation facility; the dossier and procedures for classification and ranking of tourist accommodation facilities to be uniformly applied throughout the country.

Article 18. General Conditions for Operating Tourist Accommodation

1. Tourist accommodation facilities shall not be constructed within or adjacent to areas under national defense and security management, nor shall they obstruct the airspace of the national anti-aircraft阵地; they must ensure a safe distance from schools, hospitals, places causing pollution, or places with a risk of pollution.

The Ministry of Construction shall take the lead and coordinate with central-level state management agencies for tourism and relevant agencies to specify this safe distance.

2. Tourist accommodation facilities must have material infrastructure and equipment meeting the prescribed standards.

Article 19. Operating Conditional Goods and Services in Tourist Accommodation Facilities

1. Hotels, tourist villages rated 1-star, 2-star, 3-star, 4-star, 5-star, high-end tourist villas, and high-end tourist apartments may operate conditional goods and services without being required to obtain a business license (except for gaming, foreign currency trading, duty-free sales, and casinos), but must register with the competent state agency before commencing operations.

2. Individuals directly managing, operating, and providing conditional services at tourist accommodation facilities must meet the conditions and standards stipulated by law.

Article 20. Issuance of Standard Service Sign for Tourists

1. The issuance of a standard service sign for tourists shall be carried out in accordance with Article 70 of the Tourism Law.

2. Central-level state management agencies for tourism shall specify the standards and models of the standard service sign for tourists.

Chapter V

BRANCHES AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN TOURISM ENTERPRISES IN VIETNAM

Article 21. License for Establishing Branches and Representative Offices of Foreign Tourism Enterprises in Vietnam

1. Central-level state management agencies for tourism shall issue a License for establishing branches of foreign tourism enterprises in Vietnam (referred to as branches) when the following conditions are met:

a) It is a tourism enterprise recognized as legally established or registered to conduct business according to the laws of the country where it was established or registered;

b) It has been engaged in tourism business for at least five years since its establishment or lawful registration for business according to the laws of the country where it was established or registered;

c) It possesses complete and valid documents as prescribed in Article 22 of this Decree.

2. Provincial-level state tourism management agencies shall issue a License for establishing representative offices of foreign tourism enterprises in Vietnam (referred to as representative offices) when the following conditions are met:

a) It meets the provisions of point a, Clause 1 of this Article;

b) It has been engaged in tourism business for at least one year since its establishment or lawful registration for business according to the laws of the country where it was established or registered;

c) It possesses complete and valid documents as prescribed in Article 22 of this Decree.

Article 22. Documents for Application for a License to Establish Branches and Representative Offices

1. An application for a License to establish a branch or representative office signed by an authorized representative of the foreign tourism enterprise.

2. A copy of the Business Registration Certificate, articles of operation, or other documents of equivalent legal value of the foreign tourism enterprise confirmed by the competent authority where the enterprise was established or registered; in the case of establishing a branch, there must be a power of attorney specifying the scope of authority granted to the head of the branch.

3. Audited financial reports or other documents of equivalent legal value regarding the activities of the foreign tourism enterprise in the fiscal year immediately preceding the year in which the License is considered for issuance.

The documents specified in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of this Article must be translated into Vietnamese and certified and legalized by the diplomatic mission or consular office of Vietnam abroad in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Article 23. Procedures for Issuing a License to Establish a Branch or Representative Office

1. A foreign travel enterprise shall submit a set of documents to the central state management agency on tourism (in the case of requesting a license to establish a branch) or to the provincial state management agency on tourism (in the case of requesting a license to establish a representative office).

2. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents submitted by the foreign travel enterprise, the central state management agency on tourism shall examine and issue a license to establish a branch for the enterprise and notify the provincial state management agency on tourism, tax authority, statistical authority, and other relevant state agencies where the branch is located.

3. Within fifteen working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents submitted by the foreign travel enterprise, the provincial state management agency on tourism shall examine and issue a license to establish a representative office for the enterprise and notify the central state management agency on tourism, provincial People's Committee, tax authority, statistical authority, and other relevant state agencies where the representative office is located.

4. In cases where the documents are not complete or valid, within three working days from the date of receipt of the documents, the competent authority issuing the license to establish a branch or representative office must notify the foreign travel enterprise in writing to supplement and complete the documents.

5. In cases where the conditions for issuing a license to establish a branch or representative office are not met, within fifteen working days from the date of receipt of the documents, the competent authority issuing the license to establish a branch or representative office shall notify the foreign travel enterprise in writing and specify the reasons.

6. The license to establish a branch or representative office has a validity period of five years but does not exceed the remaining validity period of the business registration certificate or equivalent legal document of the foreign travel enterprise.

Article 24. Amending and Supplementing the License to Establish a Branch or Representative Office

1. A foreign travel enterprise must complete the procedures to amend and supplement the license to establish a branch or representative office with the issuing agency within ten days from the date of any changes as follows:

a) Changing the location of the branch or representative office within the same province or centrally governed city;

b) Changing the name or scope of activities of the branch or representative office;

c) Changing the head of the branch or representative office.

2. Documents for requesting to amend and supplement the license to establish a branch or representative office include:

a) A request to amend and supplement the license to establish a branch or representative office signed by the authorized representative of the foreign travel enterprise;

b) The original license to establish a branch or representative office that has been issued.

Within ten working days from the date of receiving complete and valid documents submitted by the enterprise, the competent authority issuing the license to establish a branch or representative office shall amend and supplement the license to establish a branch or representative office for the enterprise and send a copy of the amended license to establish a branch or representative office to the relevant agencies specified in Clause 2 or Clause 3 of Article 23 of this Decree.

Article 25. Reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit

1. In the following cases, foreign travel enterprises must complete the procedures for reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit within fifteen days from the date of change:

a) Changing the name or changing the place of registration of establishment of the foreign travel enterprise from one country to another;

b) Changing the location of the branch's or representative office's headquarters to another province or centrally administered city;

c) Changing the scope of business of the foreign travel enterprise.

2. The application dossier for reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit includes:

a) An application for reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit signed by the authorized representative of the foreign travel enterprise;

b) A copy of the Business Registration Certificate or equivalent legal document of the foreign travel enterprise certified by the competent authority where the enterprise was established or registered for business.

The documents specified in point a and point b of this clause must be translated into Vietnamese and authenticated by the diplomatic mission or consular agency of Vietnam abroad according to the provisions of Vietnamese law;

c) The original Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit that has been issued.

3. In case the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit is lost, torn, or destroyed, the foreign travel enterprise must complete the procedures for reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit. The application dossier for reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit includes:

a) An application for reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit signed by the authorized representative of the foreign travel enterprise;

b) The original in case the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit is torn; a declaration report from the branch or representative office regarding the loss or destruction of the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit, confirmed by the police station or commune where the branch or representative office is located.

4. The validity period of the reissued Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit shall not exceed the validity period of the previously issued Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit. The procedures for reissuing the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 23 of this Decree.

Article 26. Extending the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit

1. Foreign travel enterprises may extend the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit if they meet the following conditions:

a) There is a need to continue operating in Vietnam;

b) The enterprise is operating legally according to the laws of the country where the enterprise was established;

c) They have not violated any prohibitions stipulated in the Tourism Law and other Vietnamese laws during their operation in Vietnam.

2. Extending the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit:

a) Within thirty days before the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit expires, the enterprise submits an extension application for the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit to the competent authority as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 23 of this Decree;

b) Within fifteen days from the date of receipt of the enterprise's application, the competent authority examines and extends the Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit; if approved, the enterprise sends the original Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit to the competent authority for extension. In case of refusal, the competent authority notifies the enterprise in writing, specifying the reasons.

3. The Branch Establishment Permit and Representative Office Permit may be extended multiple times. The duration of each extension shall be applied according to the provisions of Clause 6 of Article 23 of this Decree.

Article 27. Rights and Obligations of Branches and Heads of Branches

Branches and heads of branches shall perform their rights and obligations as prescribed below:

1. Engage in business activities in the sectors and professions specified in Clause 2, Clause 3, Clause 4, and Clause 5 of Article 38 of the Tourism Law.

2. Within forty-five days from the date of issuance of the Branch Establishment License, the branch must commence operations officially and notify in writing to the central state management agency for tourism and the provincial state management agency for tourism where the branch is located about the commencement date of its operations.

3. When changing the location of the headquarters or the head of the branch, within ten working days, the foreign travel enterprise must notify the central state management agency for tourism and the provincial state management agency for tourism where the branch is located.

4. Report annually or at any time as required by current regulations on the activities of the branch to the central state management agency for tourism and the provincial state management agency for tourism where the branch is located.

5. The branch shall not represent other enterprises and shall not sublet its branch premises.

6. The head of the branch of a foreign travel enterprise shall be responsible for the activities of the branch and himself/herself according to Vietnamese law and shall not concurrently hold the following positions:

a) Head of the representative office of the same foreign enterprise in Vietnam;

b) Head of the representative office or branch of another foreign enterprise in Vietnam.

Article 28. Rights and Obligations of Representative Offices and Heads of Representative Offices

Representative offices and heads of representative offices shall perform their rights and obligations as prescribed below:

1. Within forty-five days from the date of issuance of the Representative Office Establishment License, the representative office must commence operations officially and notify in writing to the provincial state management agency for tourism where the representative office is located about the commencement date of its operations.

2. When changing the headquarters or the head of the representative office, within ten working days, the foreign travel enterprise must notify the provincial state management agency for tourism where the representative office is located.

3. Report annually or at any time as required by current regulations on the activities of the representative office to the provincial state management agency for tourism where the representative office is located.

4. The representative office shall not represent other enterprises and shall not sublet its representative office premises.

5. The head of the representative office of a foreign travel enterprise shall be responsible for the activities of the representative office and himself/herself according to Vietnamese law and shall not concurrently hold the following positions:

a) Head of a branch in Vietnam;

b) Legal representative of a foreign enterprise for tourism business;

c) Legal representative of an enterprise established under Vietnamese law.

Article 29. Revocation of Branch Establishment Licenses and Representative Office Establishment Licenses

1. Branches and representative offices shall have their establishment licenses revoked in the following cases:

a) Not commencing operations officially within six months from the date of issuance of the Branch Establishment License or Representative Office Establishment License;

b) Ceasing operations continuously for six months without notifying the issuing authority;

c) Not submitting annual reports on the activities of the branch or representative office for two consecutive years;

d) Not submitting reports as requested by the competent authority within six months from the date of the written request;

đ) Operating outside the functions of the branch or representative office as prescribed by law.

2. The authority that issued the Branch Establishment License or Representative Office Establishment License is the authority with the power to revoke such licenses.

Article 30. Termination of operations of branch offices and representative offices

1. Branch offices and representative offices shall terminate their operations in the following cases:

a) Upon the request of the foreign travel enterprise and with the approval of the competent authority;

b) When the foreign travel enterprise terminates its operations in accordance with the laws of the country where it was established or registered for business;

c) At the end of the term of operation specified in the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office, if the foreign travel enterprise does not request an extension;

d) At the end of the term of operation specified in the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office, if the authority issuing the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office does not approve an extension;

đ) When the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office is revoked according to Clause 1, Article 29 of this Decree.

2. At least 30 days before the date on which the branch office or representative office is expected to terminate operations as stipulated in points a, b, and c of Clause 1 of this Article, the foreign travel enterprise must notify the authority issuing the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office, creditors, employees working at the branch office or representative office, and other interested parties about the termination of operations. The notification must clearly state the expected date of termination of operations of the branch office or representative office and be published in three consecutive issues of a permitted print or online newspaper in Vietnam.

3. Within 15 days from the date of the decision not to extend the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office or the date of the decision to revoke the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office as stipulated in points d and đ of Clause 1 of this Article, the authority issuing the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office must publish in three consecutive issues of a permitted print or online newspaper in Vietnam the information regarding the termination of operations of the branch office or representative office and specify the date of termination of operations of the branch office or representative office.

4. Within 15 days from the date when the foreign travel enterprise and the branch office or representative office complete their obligations as stipulated in Clause 2 or Clause 3 of Article 31 of this Decree, the authority issuing the License to Establish a Branch Office or Representative Office must remove the name of the representative office or branch office from the Register.

Within 15 days from the date of removal of the branch office name, the central government's tourism management agency has the responsibility to notify the provincial People's Committee, provincial government tourism agencies, tax authorities, statistical agencies, and related government agencies where the branch office is located about the termination of operations of the branch office.

Within 15 days from the date of removal of the representative office name, the provincial government tourism agency has the responsibility to notify the central government's tourism management agency, provincial People's Committee, tax authorities, statistical agencies, and related government agencies where the representative office is located about the termination of operations of the representative office.

Article 31. Obligations of foreign travel enterprises towards branch offices and representative offices

1. Foreign travel enterprises shall be responsible under Vietnamese law for all activities of their branch offices and representative offices in Vietnam.

2. At least 15 days before the branch office or representative office terminates operations as stipulated in points a, b, and c of Clause 1 of Article 30 of this Decree, the foreign travel enterprise and the branch office or representative office have the obligation to settle all debts and other obligations with the State, organizations, and individuals concerned in accordance with the law.

3. Within 60 days from the date of termination of operations of the branch office or representative office as stipulated in points d and đ of Clause 1 of Article 30 of this Decree, the foreign travel enterprise has the obligation to settle all debts and other obligations with the State, organizations, and individuals concerned in accordance with the law.

Chapter VI

TOURISM GUIDANCE

Article 32. Conditions for Issuing Domestic Tour Guide Cards

Individuals meeting the following conditions shall be issued domestic tour guide cards:

1. Possess Vietnamese nationality, reside permanently in Vietnam, and have full civil capacity.

2. Not suffering from infectious diseases, not using addictive substances.

3. Hold one of the following professional qualifications:

a) Hold a diploma in tourism guiding or higher;

b) Hold a diploma in tourism not in the guiding specialty or higher, and possess a certificate of guiding vocational training issued by an authorized training institution;

c) Hold a diploma in another specialty or higher, and possess a certificate of guiding vocational training issued by an authorized training institution.

Article 33. Conditions for Issuing International Tour Guide Cards

Individuals meeting the following conditions shall be issued international tour guide cards:

1. Satisfy the provisions set out in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 32 of this Decree.

2. Hold one of the following professional qualifications:

a) Hold a bachelor's degree in tourism guiding or higher;

b) Hold a bachelor's degree in another specialty or higher, and possess a domestic tour guide card;

c) Hold a bachelor's degree in another specialty or higher, and possess a certificate of guiding vocational training issued by an authorized training institution.

3. Hold one of the following language qualifications:

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a foreign language;

b) Hold a bachelor's degree from a foreign university or higher;

c) Hold a certification of language proficiency issued by an authorized training institution.

4. The central state management agency for tourism shall take the lead, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to stipulate and publicly announce specific conditions, contents, and times for guiding vocational training to ensure uniform implementation nationwide.

Article 34. Procedures for Issuing, Reissuing Tour Guide Cards

1. Individuals applying for issuance, replacement of tour guide cards shall submit applications in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1 of Article 74; Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 75 of the Tourism Law at one of the provincial-level state agencies responsible for tourism throughout the country.

2. Individuals applying for reissuance of tour guide cards shall submit applications at the provincial-level state agency responsible for tourism where they were previously issued their tour guide card. The validity period of the reissued card will be equal to the remaining validity period of the previously issued card.

Article 35. Issuance of Tour Guide Cards

1. The central state management agency for tourism:

a) Manage to ensure that tour guide cards are issued in compliance with regulations uniformly across the country;

b) Inspect and supervise compliance with regulations on issuing tour guide cards.

2. Provincial-level state agencies responsible for tourism:

a) Issue, reissue, replace, and revoke tour guide cards;

b) Annually compile and report to the central state management agency for tourism on the situation of issuing, reissuing, replacing, and revoking tour guide cards in their locality.

Article 36. Tour Guide Interpreter

1. Tour guide interpreters shall operate in accordance with the provisions of Article 78 of the Tourism Law.

2. The central state management agency for tourism shall coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to specify detailed regulations on tour guide interpreters.

Chapter VII

TOURISM PROMOTION

Article 37. Forms of Tourism Promotion

1. Promoting and advertising tourism through domestic and international mass media.

2. Developing tourism promotional products.

3. Announcing new tourism products.

4. Conducting destination surveys.

5. Organizing and implementing national, regional, and local tourism programs, events, trade fairs, seminars, exhibitions, and information activities (both domestically and internationally).

6. International cooperation in tourism promotion.

7. Establishing overseas representative offices for tourism.

8. Other forms of tourism promotion.

Article 38. Contents of Tourism Promotion

1. Promoting and advertising about Vietnam’s country, people, culture; scenic spots, historical sites, revolutionary sites, cultural heritage; tourist areas, routes, destinations, tourist cities; the potential and strengths of Vietnam’s tourism industry; enhancing societal awareness of tourism, creating a civilized, healthy, and safe tourism environment.

2. Studying and understanding domestic and international markets; building a national tourism database; developing and promoting tourism products.

3. Establishing criteria and organizing the awarding of national tourism titles to outstanding businesses in the tourism business sector.

4. Combining tourism promotion with investment, trade, cultural exchanges, and other fields to promote tourism both domestically and internationally.

5. Other contents of tourism promotion.

Article 39. Responsibilities for Promoting Tourism

1. Central State management agencies for tourism:

a) Develop national tourism promotion programs to be submitted to competent authorities for approval and implementation during each period;

b) Organize the implementation of national-level tourism programs, events, trade fairs, seminars, and exhibitions.

2. Provincial People's Committees:

a) Develop and implement local tourism programs, events, trade fairs, seminars, and exhibitions;

b) Coordinate with central and other local state management agencies for tourism in tourism promotion activities.

3. Tourism enterprises, organizations, and individuals may organize or cooperate with other organizations and individuals to conduct domestic and international tourism promotion activities and participate in national tourism promotion programs.

Article 40. Vietnam Tourism Representative Offices Abroad

1. Vietnam Tourism Representative Offices abroad are organizations representing central state management agencies for tourism at the receiving country and other countries assigned to their responsibility (referred to as the office).

2. The office shall be established in key tourist markets, international exchange centers, and locations advantageous for relations and cooperation in tourism development between Vietnam and the receiving country and other countries assigned to its responsibility.

The establishment and operation of the office shall be decided by the Prime Minister based on the proposal of the central state management agency for tourism.

The office shall be subject to the management of Vietnam's diplomatic and consular agencies in the receiving country and the central state management agency for tourism according to Vietnamese and receiving country laws.

Chapter VIII

ARTICLE TRANSITION PROVISIONS

Article 41. Effectiveness

1. This Decree takes effect 15 days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. Previous regulations contrary to this Decree are abolished.

2. This Decree replaces Decree No. 27/2001/NĐ-CP dated June 5, 2001, of the Government on travel agency business and tour guiding; Decree No. 39/2000/NĐ-CP dated August 24, 2000, of the Government on tourism accommodation establishments; and related provisions on branches and representative offices of foreign tourism enterprises in Vietnam stipulated in Decree No. 45/2000/NĐ-CP dated September 6, 2000, of the Government on representative offices and branches of foreign traders and foreign tourism enterprises in Vietnam.

Article 42. Investment projects related to the provisions at Amendment 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD issued accompanying this Circular that have been approved before this Circular takes effect shall continue to be implemented according to the regulations at the time of approval; the investment decision maker has the right to choose to apply Amendment 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD issued accompanying this Circular.

1. Travel agencies, branches, and representative offices of foreign tourism enterprises in Vietnam that have registered for business, obtained international travel agency licenses, and been established before the effective date of this Decree may continue operations according to the contents specified in their issued licenses and must meet all conditions for business and establishment of branches and representative offices as prescribed in this Decree within 12 months from the effective date of this Decree.

2. Tour guides who have been issued tour guide cards before the effective date of this Decree may continue guiding tours and must meet all conditions as prescribed in this Decree within 24 months from the effective date of this Decree.

3. Tourism accommodation establishments that have registered for business operations before the effective date of this Decree may continue operating and must meet all conditions as prescribed in this Decree within 12 months from the effective date of this Decree.

Article 43. Implementation

1. Central state management agencies for tourism shall provide guidance on the implementation of this Decree.

2. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial and centrally-administered city People's Committees are responsible for implementing this Decree./.