International travel business is a conditional business line. Enterprises engaged in bringing international tourists to Vietnam, taking Vietnamese tourists abroad, or both must satisfy statutory requirements regarding legal status, deposit, and personnel. An enterprise may only conduct international travel business after obtaining the relevant License in accordance with the law. What conditions must an enterprise satisfy to obtain an International Travel Business License? What documents and procedures are required for the application?
In the following article, Hong Bang Law Firm provides an overview of the International Travel Business License under the current regulations.
LEGAL BASIS
- Law on Tourism No. 09/2017/QH14;
- Decree No. 168/2017/ND-CP detailing certain provisions of the Law on Tourism;
- Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL detailing certain provisions of the Law on Tourism;
- Circular No. 13/2019/TT-BVHTTDL amending and supplementing certain provisions of Circular No. 06/2017/TT-BVHTTDL;
- Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BVHTTDL amending and supplementing certain provisions of the Circulars governing tourism activities;
- Circular No. 153/2025/TT-BTC prescribing the rates, collection, payment, exemption, and reduction of certain fees and charges in the fields of culture, sports, and tourism;
- Resolution No. 66.18/2026/NQ-CP on decentralization, reduction, and simplification of administrative procedures and business conditions;
- Other relevant legal documents.
CONDITIONS FOR OBTAINING THE LICENSE
Under the Law on Tourism and its guiding regulations, an enterprise conducting international travel business must satisfy the following conditions:
- Be duly established and legally operating in accordance with the law on enterprises;
- Make a deposit for international travel business at a commercial bank, cooperative bank, or foreign bank branch duly established and operating in Vietnam, with the required deposit amount depending on the scope of business, as follows:
- VND 250,000,000 for providing international travel services to tourists entering Vietnam;
- VND 500,000,000 for providing international travel services to tourists traveling abroad;
- VND 500,000,000 for providing international travel services to both tourists entering Vietnam and tourists traveling abroad;
- The person in charge of travel business operations must hold a college degree or higher in a travel-related major. If holding a college degree or higher in another major, such person must possess an International Tour Operator Professional Certificate;
- The person in charge of travel business operations must be appointed by, or enter into an employment contract with, the enterprise in accordance with the law.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
An application dossier for an International Travel Business License includes:
- Application form for an International Travel Business License in the prescribed form;
- Copy of the Enterprise Registration Certificate or Investment Registration Certificate issued by a competent authority;
- Original Certificate of Deposit for International Travel Business;
- Copy of the college diploma or higher in a travel-related major of the person in charge of travel business operations; or a copy of a college diploma or higher in another major together with an International Tour Operator Professional Certificate;
- Copy of the appointment decision or employment contract between the enterprise and the person in charge of travel business operations.
Where the diploma is issued by a foreign educational institution, such diploma must be recognized in accordance with the applicable regulations on education, higher education, and vocational education.
Step 1: Preparation and Submission of the Application
The enterprise shall prepare 01 dossier and submit it to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (through the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) by one of the following methods:
- In person;
- By post;
- Online via the National Public Service Portal.
Step 2: Appraisal of the Application
Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism shall appraise the dossier and issue the International Travel Business License to the enterprise.
In case of refusal, the competent authority shall provide a written notice stating the reasons.
After issuing the License, the competent authority shall notify the tourism authority of the province where the enterprise’s head office is located.
PROCESSING TIME
The processing time is 05 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier.
APPRAISAL FEE
The enterprise applying for the License must pay the appraisal fee in accordance with the regulations on fees and charges.
The applicable fee shall be determined in accordance with Circular No. 153/2025/TT-BTC and other regulations on the applicable rates, exemptions, and reductions of fees.
RESULT
The result of the procedure is an International Travel Business License issued by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) to an enterprise that fully satisfies the statutory requirements.
The above is our overview of the International Travel Business License. Should you require further legal advice or assistance regarding the relevant procedures and services, please contact Lawyer Nguyen Duc Trong via hotline: 0912.35.65.75, or send your service request to: lawyer@hongbanglawfirm.com.
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