International travel business is a conditional business line in Vietnam. Enterprises are only permitted to organize tour programs to welcome international tourists into Vietnam or send domestic tourists abroad after being granted an international travel business license in Vietnam by the competent authority.
Starting from July 1, 2026, licensing procedures undergo several notable changes: the processing time is reduced to 05 working days; application dossiers must utilize Form No. 07; certain dossier components are proactively retrieved by state agencies from the national database; and requests for initial issuance, corporate registration changes, scope adjustments, or lost/damaged license replacements are consolidated into a single application form.
Specifically in Hanoi, the licensing authority has been decentralized to the City Government and is currently authorized by the Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee to the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism for resolution. This represents a distinct mechanism unique to the Capital and does not automatically apply to other provinces and cities.
New regulations on the international travel business license in Vietnam 2026
| Content | Updated regulations in 2026 |
|---|---|
| Licensing authority outside Hanoi | Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, directly executed via Vietnam National Authority of Tourism |
| Licensing authority in Hanoi | Director of Hanoi Department of Tourism as authorized |
| Processing timeframe | 05 working days from the date of receiving a complete and valid dossier |
| Number of dossier sets | 01 set |
| Application form | Form No. 07, Appendix I.9 Resolution 66.18/2026/NQ-CP |
| Submission method | In person, by post, or online via the National Public Service Portal |
| Appraisal fee in 2026 | Other provinces: fee of 1,000,000 VND/license according to published central administrative procedures. For enterprises in Hanoi specifically, the fee for issuing an international travel business license is 2,000,000 VND. |
| Separate re-issuance and replacement procedures | Simplified and integrated into the corresponding licensing procedures |
Resolution 66.18/2026/NQ-CP takes effect from July 1, 2026. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also announced the abolition of the independent renewal and re-issuance procedures, thereby reducing the number of procedures that businesses have to go through.
What is international travel business license in Vietnam?
An international travel service business license in Vietnam is a document issued by a competent state agency to a business that fully meets the conditions regarding legal status, deposit, and the person in charge of the travel service business.
This license is a mandatory requirement before a business can directly develop, sell, or organize international tour programs. The fact that the business has already registered the tour operation business does not replace this license.
Businesses need to register for these business codes:
Business code 7912 – Tour operator
The details of the business can be written as: “Domestic travel service business and international travel service business”.
Scope of business for international travel services in Vietnam
Licensed Vietnamese enterprises may register for one or both of the following scopes:
| Scope | Operational details |
|---|---|
| Inbound | Welcoming and serving international tourists to Vietnam |
| Outbound | Organizing tour programs to send tourists from Vietnam abroad |
| Inbound and Outbound | Executing both scopes simultaneously |
Enterprises licensed for international travel services are permitted to provide domestic travel services as well, unless otherwise restricted by law.
In principle, foreign-invested enterprises may only provide international travel services catering to international tourists visiting Vietnam, unless an international treaty to which Vietnam is a party stipulates otherwise.
Enterprises are not required to obtain a domestic travel service license prior to applying for an international travel service license. These are two distinct procedures determined by their respective scopes of operation and qualifying conditions, rather than sequential licensing steps.
Conditions for issuing an international travel business license in Vietnam
Under the Law on Tourism and administrative procedures updated in 2026, enterprises must meet three main groups of conditions.
Legally established enterprise
The applicant for the license must be an enterprise established under Vietnamese law.
Business households, representative offices, and individuals are not eligible to be granted a license for international travel services. The license is issued to the enterprise as a whole, not separately to individual branches.
Enterprises should complete the registration of business code 7912 before submitting their license application.
Security deposit for international travel service business
Enterprises must place a security deposit at a commercial bank, a cooperative bank, or a foreign bank branch established and operating legally in Vietnam.
| Business scope | Deposit amount |
|---|---|
| International tourist group visiting Vietnam – Inbound | 250.000.000 VND |
| Domestic Vietnamese tourist group traveling abroad – Outbound | 500.000.000 VND |
| Operating both Inbound and Outbound | 500.000.000 VND |
The security deposit for international travel service business must be maintained throughout the period the enterprise conducts business. After the funds are blocked, the bank issues a certificate of security deposit for international travel service business to the enterprise.
Person in charge of travel service operations
The person in charge of international travel services business operations must meet specific requirements regarding their title and professional qualifications.
This individual must hold one of the following positions:
- Chairperson of the Board of Directors;
- Chairperson of the Board of Members;
- Company President;
- Owner of a private enterprise;
- General Director or Director;
- Deputy General Director or Deputy Director;
- Head of the travel services business department.
Regarding professional qualifications, the person in charge must:
- Hold a college-level degree or higher in a travel-related major; or
- Hold a college-level degree or higher in another major and possess a certificate of professional competence in international tour operations.
Accepted travel-related majors include: tourism and travel service management; travel management; tour operations; tourism marketing; tourism; travel and tourism; tourism management and business; MICE tourism management; travel agency operations; and tour guiding.
If the degree does not clearly indicate the major, the enterprise may be required to submit a transcript or degree supplement. Degrees issued by foreign educational institutions must be recognized in accordance with Vietnamese laws on education, higher education, and vocational education.
Application dossier for an international tour operator license in Vietnam
- Application for an international travel service business license according to Form No. 07 issued with Appendix I.9 Resolution 66.18/2026/NQ-CP.
- Copy of Business Registration Certificate or Investment Registration Certificate.
- Original Certificate of deposit for international travel services business.
- Copy of college diploma or higher majoring in travel of the person in charge; or college degree or higher in another major with a certificate of international tourism operations.
- Copy of the appointment decision or labor contract between the enterprise and the person in charge of the travel service business.
- Additional documents related to the recognition of foreign diplomas, transcripts or diploma appendices if proof is needed.
The agency handling procedures is responsible for checking and looking up information on databases. Only when the information cannot be exploited, the information is incomplete or inaccurate, will the enterprise be required to submit a copy with the original for comparison, a certified electronic copy or a certified copy.
In case of changing the Enterprise Registration Certificate or changing the scope of business, the enterprise must submit the original issued license and documents related to the changed content.
Competent authority for issuing international travel licenses 2026 in Vietnam
Enterprises registered outside Hanoi
Enterprises submit their applications to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism via the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
“Vietnam National Authority of Tourism” is the current name of the agency. The term “Vietnam National Administration of Tourism” should no longer be used in titles, forms, or new application guidelines, unless it is noted as the former name.
Enterprises may submit applications:
- In person;
- Via postal service;
- Online through the National Public Service Portal.
Within 05 working days of receiving a complete and compliant application, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, through the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, shall evaluate the application and issue the license. In the event of a refusal, a written notification clearly stating the reason must be provided.
Enterprises registered in Hanoi City
The Capital Law No. 02/2026/QH16 assigns the Chairperson of the Hanoi People’s Committee the authority to issue Vietnam international travel licenses to enterprises registered within the City.
Pursuant to Decision No. 3330/QĐ-UBND dated July 1, 2026, the Chairperson of the Hanoi People’s Committee has authorized the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism to handle this procedure. The authorization is valid from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
Enterprises in Hanoi may submit their applications:
- At public service support points of the Hanoi Public Administrative Service Center;
- Via public postal services;
- Online through the National Public Service Portal.
The processing time is 05 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application.
Procedure for applying for an international travel business license
Step 1: Check the enterprise’s eligibility conditions
Enterprises need to review:
- Business lines;
- Scope of operations (inbound, outbound, or both);
- Job titles and qualifications of the person in charge;
- Validity of employment contracts or appointment decisions;
- Conditions for the recognition of foreign degrees;
- Security deposit amount corresponding to the scope of business.
Step 2: Deposit funds at the bank
The enterprise selects a suitable bank and signs a deposit agreement. Once the funds are blocked, the bank issues a deposit certificate in accordance with regulations.
The information on the certificate must match the enterprise’s name, code, and address as stated on its Enterprise Registration Certificate.
Step 3: Prepare the application dossiers
The application dossier must use the correct Form No. 07, applicable from July 1, 2026. The enterprise must correctly mark the reason for the request:
- Initial licensing;
- Amendment of the Enterprise Registration Certificate;
- Change in business scope;
- License lost or damaged.
Step 4: Submit the application to the appropriate agency
- Enterprises based outside Hanoi: submit via the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
- Enterprises registered in Hanoi: submit via the Hanoi Department of Tourism (under an authorization mechanism).
Step 5: Receive results
The processing time is 05 working days, starting from the date the competent authority receives a complete and compliant dossier.
The time spent by the enterprise on preparing documents or amending/supplementing the dossier is not included in the state agency’s processing time.
International travel business license fee from 2026 in Vietnam
According to the administrative procedures announced by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the appraisal fee for license issuance applicable through December 31, 2026, is:
1,000,000 VND per license; specifically for Hanoi, the licensing fee is 2,000,000 VND per license.
This rate incorporates the fee reduction support policy outlined in Circular 64/2025/TT-BTC. After December 31, 2026, businesses should verify the regulations in effect at the time of application submission rather than assuming this reduced rate will continue to apply.
Management and use of escrow deposits in Vietnam
The security deposit is held in a blocked bank account and utilized in special circumstances to address the interests of tourists.
If a tourist suffers an accident, faces a risk, or experiences a threat to their life, or requires repatriation or emergency medical treatment, and the business is unable to arrange the necessary funds promptly, the business may request that the licensing authority authorize the use of a portion of the security deposit.
Following such use, the business must replenish the amount withdrawn to ensure the security deposit remains at the level required for its business operations.
Businesses are prohibited from unilaterally withdrawing the security deposit without written authorization from the competent authority. The security deposit is refunded only if the business fails to obtain a license, changes the depository bank, or has its license revoked, provided that all related obligations have been settled.
Cases of revocation of international travel licenses in Vietnam
A business’s license may be revoked in the following cases:
- Cessation of travel service business operations;
- Dissolution or bankruptcy;
- Failure to continue meeting business conditions;
- Failure to maintain the required security deposit amount;
- Failure to carry out relevant procedures when changing registration details or the scope of business;
- Allowing other organizations or individuals to use the license;
- Falsifying documents for license issuance;
- Abusing tourism activities to illegally transport persons into or out of Vietnam;
- Infringing upon sovereignty, national interests, national defense, or security;
- Failure to fully implement measures to ensure the safety of tourists’ lives, health, and property;
- Committing serious violations of the obligations of a travel service business.
Upon revocation of the license, the business must cease operations covered by the license and fully discharge its obligations toward tourists, partners, employees, and state agencies.
Common mistakes when applying for an international travel business license in Vietnam
Using information regarding the former licensing authority
Many applications still cite the “Vietnam National Administration of Tourism”. The current central-level authority is the “Vietnam National Authority of Tourism”.
For enterprises registered in Hanoi, procedures fall under municipal jurisdiction, currently authorized to the Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism.
Using outdated application forms
From July 1, 2026, enterprises must use Form No. 07 pursuant to Resolution 66.18/2026/NQ-CP, rather than continuing to use previously issued forms by default.
Inappropriate job title for the person in charge
Even if an individual holds appropriate qualifications, the application may still require amendment if they do not hold one of the specific job titles prescribed by law.
Inconsistency between the labor contract and the application
The job title must be consistent across the labor contract, the appointment decision, and the application form. Generic titles such as “tourism staff” or “sales staff” may be insufficient to establish the individual’s role as the person in charge.
Unrecognized foreign degrees
Translations and notarizations of degrees do not substitute for the formal degree recognition procedures required by law.
Security deposit inconsistent with the scope of business
An enterprise registered for outbound tourism operations that deposits only 250 million VND will fail to meet the requirements. The scope of business stated on the application, the security deposit certificate, and the operational plan must all be consistent.
Confusing tour guide foreign language requirements with licensing requirements
Foreign language proficiency standards for international tour guides apply to the practitioners themselves; they are not among the three direct conditions required for an enterprise to be granted an international travel service license.
FAQ when applying for a travel business license in Vietnam
Is it necessary to obtain a domestic travel license before applying for an international travel license?
No. Enterprises meeting the conditions for international travel business may directly apply for an international travel license. The law does not mandate obtaining a domestic travel business license as a prerequisite step.
Does the international travel license cover domestic travel operations?
Enterprises granted an international travel license may conduct both international and domestic travel business, subject to specific limitations applicable to international travel licenses held by foreign-invested enterprises.
Can a company based in Ho Chi Minh City submit its application to the Department of Tourism?
There is currently no unified mechanism for this. Enterprises registered in Ho Chi Minh City and localities outside Hanoi must submit their applications to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism via the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
Where should a company based in Hanoi submit its application?
Enterprises registered in Hanoi must carry out the procedure through the Hanoi Department of Tourism, via administrative support services, or through the National Public Service Portal.
What is the processing time for the license?
The processing time is 05 working days from the date a complete and valid application is received.
What are the fees for issuing an international travel business license in Hanoi?
The fee for an international travel license in Hanoi is 2,000,000 VND per license.
Can a university degree in Law or Economics be used?
It can be used if the person in charge also holds a certificate of professional competence in international travel operations and meets the requirements for a managerial position.
Is it necessary to reissue the license if the company changes its name or address?
The enterprise must carry out the appropriate procedure to update the license. Form No. 07 (2026 version) includes a section addressing cases where the Enterprise Registration Certificate is being changed.
What constitutes a lost or damaged license?
Enterprises use Form No. 07 to indicate whether the license is lost or damaged and to carry out the required procedures with the appropriate competent authority.
International travel business license application services by Viet An Law
Viet An Law provides comprehensive legal services for tourism businesses:
- Advising on business scope (inbound, outbound, or combined operations);
- Advising on business registration and the addition of business lines;
- Verifying the qualifications and professional titles of the person in charge;
- Advising on the recognition of degrees/diplomas issued by foreign educational institutions;
- Guiding the security deposit process and verifying the security deposit certificate;
- Drafting applications and finalizing licensing dossiers;
- Representing clients in filing, tracking, and providing clarifications regarding dossiers;
- Handling procedures for changes to business registration or operational scope;
- Advising on the handling of lost or damaged licenses;
- Advising on license revocation and the refund of security deposits;
- Advising on operational conditions, tourism contracts, tour guides, and liability towards tourists.
Leveraging extensive experience in corporate consulting, investment, and specialized licensing, Viet An Law helps clients proactively identify issues regarding personnel, qualifications, security deposits, and filing authority, thereby minimizing requests for dossier amendments or delays in processing times.
If you wish to apply for an international travel service business license, please contact Viet An Law for advice on conditions, dossier review, and procedural support in accordance with the latest regulations for 2026.
Supervising and reviewing Lawyer: Lawyer Do Thi Hong Hanh
Hotline/ Zalo/ Whatsapp: (+84) 961 571 818
Email: info@vietanlaw.com
Hanoi Office: 3rd Floor, Hoang Ngan Plaza Building, No. 125 Hoang Ngan,
Yen Hoa Ward, Hanoi City.
Ho Chi Minh City Office: Unit 04.68, 4th Floor, Lobby A, RiverGate Residence Building, 151-155 Ben Van Don, Khanh Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.
