Guide on Reissue International Travel Business License in Vietnam

International travel service business is a conditional business activity that must be conducted by enterprises granted an International Travel Business License. In many cases, enterprises need to proceed with the reissue of their International Travel Business License. In the article below, Viet An Law Firm will provide clients with legal information to guide on reissue International Travel Business License in Vietnam.

In what cases must the International Travel Business License be reissued?

According to Article 35 of the Law on Tourism 2017, the enterprise shall apply for the reissue International Travel Business License in the following cases:

• Change the Business Registration Certificate or Investment Registration Certificate;
• Change the scope of the international travel service business.

These are all situations where there is a change or adjustment in one of the main contents of the enterprise’s license and scope of operations, so it is necessary to reissue the International Travel Business License.

Note on changing the scope of international travel service business: The scope of business can only be changed according to Clauses 1 and 2, Article 30 of the Law on Tourism 2017. Accordingly:

• Provision of domestic tours for domestic tourists. Provision of international tours for inbound tourists and outbound tourists.
• The international travel service provider may provide international and domestic tours. However, foreign-invested providers shall only provide international tours for inbound tourists, unless otherwise prescribed by the treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory.

Dossier to reissue Travel Business License

Dossier components

The dossier to reissue the Travel Business License includes::

• An application form to reissue Travel Business License;
• The Travel Business License of the enterprise;
• A certified true copy of the Business Registration Certificate or Investment Registration Certificate in the cases which change the Business Registration Certificate or Investment Registration Certificate; a certificate of deposit payment in conformity with the scope of business in the cases which change the scope of business.

Note on the new application form to reissue the license

The application form is specified in Form 02, Appendix II issued with Circular 04/2024/TT-BVHTTDL:

Key information to be included in the application:

• Information about the enterprise name: Trade name, abbreviated name
• Information about the enterprise’s address, phone number, website, email
• Information about the legal representative: Title, nationality, birth, ID number, address,… For foreign nationals, passport information must be provided
• Information about the name and address of the branch/representative office (if any)
• Information about the Business Registration Certificate/Investment Registration Certificate/Travel Business License: Serial number, date of issuance, place of issuance
• Information about the escrow account: Account number, bank
• Reason for requesting to reissue the license: Specify the reason and the circumstances

Where to apply for a reissue International Travel Business License?

According to Clause 2, Article 35 of the Law on Tourism 2017, the enterprise shall apply 01 dossier for the reissue Travel Business License to the licensing authority.

Accordingly, the General Department of Tourism (now the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) is the competent authority that issues domestic travel business licenses. Therefore, the dossier for the reissue International Travel Business License should be applied to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Information from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism:

• Address: 80 Quan Su, Hoan Kiem, Ha Noi
• Email: contact@vietnamtourism.gov.vn

Guide on Reissue International Travel Business License in Vietnam

Procedure

• The enterprise shall apply 01 dossier for the reissue Travel Business License to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
• The enterprise shall apply 01 dossier for the reissue Travel Business License to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
• Within 05 working days from the day on which a valid dossier is received, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism shall be responsible for issuing a new International Travel Business License to the enterprise and notifying the Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism where the enterprise is located; in case of refusal, a written response stating reasons must be given.

Method to implement

Apply directly or online through the public service portal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, or by post to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (via the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism).

• The competent authority to decide: Vietnam National Authority of Tourism
• The direct competent authority responsible for administrative procedures: Travel Industry Management Division, Vietnam National Authority of Tourism

Time limit to process the dossier

Within 05 working days from the day on which a valid dossier is received.

Result of the administrative procedure

A new International Travel Business License is issued.

State Fee for reisssue license

• International Travel Service License Fees
• Domestic Travel Service License Fees

Note on the new fee for the reissue International Travel Business License

The examination fee for the reissue International Travel Business License is 2,000,000 VND/license (Circular 33/2018/TT-BTC).

In the second half of 2024, the fee for the reissue International Travel Business License will be reduced by half to 1,000,000 VND/license according to Circular 43/2024/TT-BTC dated June 28, 2024, issued by the Minister of Finance, to further alleviate difficulties and support business operations.

What are the penalties for not proceeding with the reissue International Travel Business License?

According to Clause 12, Article 7 of Decree 45/2019/ND-CP, as amended and supplemented by Decree 129/2021/ND-CP:

“Article 7. Violation against regulations on travel service business

A fine of from 70,000,000 VND to 80,000,000 VND shall be imposed for one of the following violations:

a) Failure to carry out the procedure to reissue travel business license according to regulations;”

Thus, if an enterprise does not carry out the procedure to reissue an International Travel Business License, it may be subject to an administrative fine ranging from 70,000,000 VND to 80,000,000 VND (penalty for organizations).

Additionally, if an enterprise provides inaccurate document declarations in the dossier to reissue an International Travel Business License, it may also face fines ranging from 20,000,000 VND to 30,000,000 VND (penalty for organizations).

Will the Travel Business License be revoked if not reissued?

According to Point c, Clause 1, Article 36 of the Law on Tourism 2017, if an enterprise does not reissue its Travel Business License as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 35, it will have its Travel Business License revoked. Accordingly, within 05 working days from the date of receiving the inspection conclusion from the competent authority, the licensing authority will issue a decision to revoke the Travel Business License.

An enterprise that has had its Travel Business License revoked in this case can only apply for a new Travel Business License after 06 months from the date the revocation decision takes effect.

Clients who have related questions or need legal support to guide on reissue International Travel Business License in Vietnam, please contact Viet An Law Firm for the best support!

Update: 9/2024