1. What is an International Tour Operation License?

An International Tour Operation License is a legal document issued by competent state agencies to enterprises and organizations wishing to operate in the international tour business sector. This license allows businesses to organize international tours, taking tourists abroad and bringing international tourists to Vietnam. It is a legal prerequisite for businesses to legally operate in this field.

2. What are the conditions for obtaining an International Tour Operation License?

a. Being an enterprise established in accordance with business law

First and foremost, the enterprise must be established in accordance with the law and possess an Enterprise Registration Certificate.

If it's a newly established enterprise, it must register the business line "Tour operation: International tour operation services" (industry code: 7912).

If the enterprise does not yet have industry code 7912 in its Enterprise Registration Certificate, it must add this business line before proceeding with the application for an International Tour Operation License.

(Legal Basis: Article 31.2 (a) of 2017 Law on Tourism)

b. Making a deposit for international tour operation services at a bank

The deposit amount for international tour operation services is regulated as follows:

• For international inbound tour operation (bringing international tourists to Vietnam): VND 250,000,000 (two hundred and fifty million dong);
• For outbound tour operation (taking tourists abroad): VND 500,000,000 (five hundred million dong);
• For both international inbound and outbound tour operation: VND 500,000,000 (five hundred million dong).

Deposit-receiving bank: Enterprises must make the deposit in Vietnamese Dong at a commercial bank, cooperative bank, or a branch of a foreign bank that is established and operates in Vietnam. They will earn interest on the deposit as agreed upon between the enterprise and the bank, in accordance with legal provisions. The deposit must be maintained throughout the period the enterprise operates tour services.

Making the deposit: When an enterprise requests to deposit funds into a bank account, the deposit-receiving bank and the enterprise will enter into a deposit contract. Based on this contract, the deposit-receiving bank will block the deposited amount.

Issuance of Deposit Certificate: After blocking the deposit, the deposit-receiving bank will issue a Certificate of Deposit for Tour Operation Business to the enterprise, following Form No. 01 provided in the Appendix of Decree 168/2017/ND-CP.

(Legal Basis: Clause 2, Article 14, Article 15 of Decree 168/2027/ND-CP)

c. The person in charge of tour operation services must have at least a college degree in a tour operation-related field; In cases where the individual has a college degree or higher in another specialized field, they must possess an international tour operation professional certificate.

The person in charge of tour operation services hold one of the following positions:

• Chairman of the Board of Directors;
• Chairman of the Members' Council;
• Company President;
• Owner of a private enterprise;
• General Director; Director or Deputy Director;
• Head of the tour operation business department.

A "tour operation-related field" is indicated on the graduate’s diploma of one of the following majors, occupations, or specialized fields:

• Tourism and Tour Service Management;
• Tour Management;
• Tour Operation;
• Tourism Marketing;
• Tourism;
• Travel and Tourism;
• Tourism Management and Business;
• MICE Tourism Management;
• Travel Agency;
• Tour Guiding;
• Majors, occupations, or specialization containing one of the phrases: “tourism”, “tour operation”, “tour guiding”, issued by educational institutions in Vietnam and certified before the effective date of this Circular;
• Majors, occupations, or specialization  containing one of the phrases: “tourism”, “tour operation”, “tour guiding” issued by foreign training institutions.

If the diploma does not clearly indicate the majors, occupations, or specialization listed in the last two points above, a transcript or diploma supplement indicating the major, occupation, or specialization, including one of the phrases: “tourism”, “tour operation”, “tour guiding”, must be provided.

Individuals who hold intermediate, college, or university degrees in other fields or fields related to tourism that do not align with the majors stipulated in Clause 2, Article 3 of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL, must possess an domestic or international tour operation professional certificate in order to qualify as the person in charge of the enterprise's domestic/international tour operation business activities.

(Legal Basis: Clauses 1, 2 Article 3 of Circular 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL amended by Clause 1 Article 1 of Circular 13/2019/TT-BVHTTDL, guided by Official Letter No. 485/TCDL-LH in 2018)

3. What does the application for an International Tour Operation License include?

The application for an International Tour Operation License is regulated as follows:

(Legal Basis: Article 33.1 of 2017 Law on Tourism)

4. What is the order and procedure for applying for an International Tour Operation License?

To apply for an International Tour Operation License, enterprises follow this procedure:

• Prepare the licensing dossier: The enterprise prepares 02 sets of dossiers (01 set to be kept by the enterprise) in accordance with the instructions outlined above..
• Submit the licensing dossier to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (formerly Vietnam National Administration of Tourism): The enterprise submits 01 set of dossiers to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism;
• Method of submission: Submit directly to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism or via postal service.
• License issuance: Within 10 days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism will appraise and issue the International Tour Operation License to the enterprise and inform the provincial-level specialized tourism agency where the enterprise is headquartered; in case the dossier requires amendments or supplements, the enterprise will be notified accordingly; in case of refusal, a written notice stating the reason must be provided.

5. Which agency is authorized to issue International Tour Operation Licenses?

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the competent authority responsible for issuing International Tour Operation Licenses..

6. How much does it cost to apply for an International Tour Operation License?

The appraisal fee for issuing an International Tour Operation License is regulated as follows:

• New issuance: VND 3,000,000/license;
• Re-issuance (modification/replacement): VND 2,000,000/license;
• Re-issuance (loss/damage): VND 1,500,000/license.

(Legal Basis: Clause 1, Article 4 of Circular 33/2018/TT-BTC)

7. Recommended Law Firms in Da Nang providing International Tour Operation License application services

At Phong & Partners Law Firm, we consider service quality and customer satisfaction as our guiding principles. Phong & Partners Law Firm operates under the philosophy of "Honor Justice - Respect Goodwill," with dedication, passion, a sense of responsibility, and always putting integrity at the forefront of our profession.

Our team of lawyers is well-trained and highly experienced in handling the procedures for obtaining International Tour Operation Licenses, ensuring that dossiers are accurately drafted and prepared, helping businesses quickly obtain their licenses to commence operations.