Tour operating services are a conditional business line. Accordingly, an enterprise providing domestic tour operating services must satisfy the prescribed conditions and obtain a Domestic Tour Operator License before commencing its operations. What conditions must an enterprise satisfy, and how is the licensing procedure carried out?
In the following article, Hong Bang Law Firm provides information on the conditions, required documents, and procedures for obtaining a Domestic Tour Operator License in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Tourism No. 09/2017/QH14;
- Decree No. 168/2017/ND-CP dated December 31, 2017 detailing certain provisions of the Law on Tourism;
- Decree No. 94/2021/ND-CP dated October 28, 2021 amending and supplementing Article 14 of Decree No. 168/2017/ND-CP dated December 31, 2017 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Tourism regarding the deposit required for tour operating services;
- Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL dated December 15, 2017 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism detailing certain provisions of the Law on Tourism;
- Circular No. 13/2019/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2019 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism 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 Law on Tourism. This Circular took effect on January 20, 2020;
- Circular No. 153/2025/TT-BTC dated December 31, 2025 of the Minister of Finance prescribing the rates, collection, payment and administration of certain fees and charges in the fields of culture, sports and tourism;
- Circular No. 64/2025/TT-BTC dated June 30, 2025 of the Minister of Finance prescribing the rates of, and exemptions from, certain fees and charges to support enterprises and individuals;
- Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BVHTTDL dated June 26, 2024 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism 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 Law on Tourism and Circular No. 13/2019/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2019 of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism 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 Law on Tourism;
- Resolution No. 66.18/2026/NQ-CP dated May 18, 2026 of the Government on decentralization of authority, reduction and simplification of administrative procedures and business conditions;
- Other relevant legal documents.
CONDITIONS FOR PROVIDING DOMESTIC TOUR OPERATING SERVICES
An enterprise providing domestic tour operating services must satisfy the following conditions:
- Be an enterprise lawfully established in accordance with the law on enterprises;
- Make a deposit for domestic tour operating services at a commercial bank, cooperative bank, or foreign bank branch lawfully established and operating in Vietnam in the amount of VND 100,000,000 (One hundred million Vietnamese dong);
- The person in charge of tour operating services must hold at least an intermediate-level qualification in a tour operating-related major. If the person holds an intermediate-level qualification or higher in another major, they must possess a certificate of professional competence in domestic or international tour operation.
The person in charge of tour operating services means a person holding one of the following positions: Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Chairperson of the Members’ Council, Company President, Owner of a sole proprietorship, General Director, Director, Deputy Director, or Head of the tour operating services department.
Tour operating-related majors are determined in accordance with applicable laws and include majors, fields of study, or specializations such as: Tourism and Tour Operating Services Management; Tour Operating Management; Tour Operation; Tourism Marketing; Tourism; Tour Operating Tourism; Tourism Management and Business; MICE Tourism Management; Travel Agency; Tour Guiding; and other specializations containing the terms “tourism,” “tour operation,” or “tour guiding” as prescribed by law.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
An application dossier for a Domestic Tour Operator License includes:
- Application form for a Domestic Tour Operator License according to Form No. 07 issued together with Appendix I.9 to Resolution No. 66.18/2026/NQ-CP;
- A copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate;
- The original Certificate of Deposit for Domestic Tour Operating Services in case of an application for the first issuance of the License;
- A copy of the diploma evidencing an intermediate-level qualification or higher in a tour operating-related major held by the person in charge of tour operating services; or a diploma evidencing an intermediate-level qualification or higher in another major together with a certificate of professional competence in domestic or international tour operation;
- A copy of the appointment decision or employment contract between the enterprise and the person in charge of tour operating services.
In case of changes to the Enterprise Registration Certificate, the enterprise must additionally submit the original Domestic Tour Operator License previously issued.
COMPETENT AUTHORITY
The Department of Tourism or Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the locality where the enterprise’s head office is located is the competent authority responsible for deciding on and directly carrying out the procedure for issuing the Domestic Tour Operator License.
PROCEDURES
Step 1: Preparation and submission of the application dossier
The enterprise shall prepare 01 set of documents and submit it either directly or via postal service to the Public Administration Service Center of the locality where the enterprise’s head office is located, or submit the application online via the National Public Service Portal.
Step 2: Appraisal and issuance of the License
Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application dossier, the Department of Tourism or Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall appraise the application and issue the Domestic Tour Operator License.
In case of refusal to issue the License, the competent authority must provide written notice specifying the reasons for such refusal.
PROCESSING TIME
The processing time is 05 working days from the date on which a complete and valid application dossier is received.
FEE
The fee for issuance of a Domestic Tour Operator License is VND 1,000,000 per license, applicable under Circular No. 64/2025/TT-BTC and effective until December 31, 2026.
The above is our complete article on the procedures for obtaining a Domestic Tour Operator License. Should you require further legal advice or detailed guidance on how to access and use this service, please contact Lawyer Nguyen Duc Trong via hotline: 0912.35.65.75, or submit your service request via email at lawyer@hongbanglawfirm.com.
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