On March 30, 2018, the Ministry of Finance issued Circular No.33/2018/TT-BTC on prescribing the rates and the collection, remittance and management of appraisal charges for grant of international tour operator licenses or domestic travel service business licenses; appraisal charges for grant of tour guide’s cards; and fees for grant of licenses for estalbishment of Vietnam-based representative offices of foreign travel service business enterprises. The Circular took effect from May 14, 2018.

Accordingly, Circular No.33/2018/TT-BTC has amended the regulations on charges for granting travel service business licenses as follows:

1. For charges grant of international tour operator licenses or domestic travel service business licenses: Granting new 3,000,000 VND/ license; Changeds 2,000,000 VND/license; Reissued 1,500,000 VND/license.

2. For charges for grant of tour guide’s cards: For international and domestic tourist guides: VND 650,000/card; For tour guides at the spot: 200,000 VND/card.

3. For fees for grant of licenses for estalbishment of Vietnam-based representative offices of foreign travel service business enterprises: Granting new VND 3,000,000/license; Reissued, adjustment, extension: 1,500,000 VND/license.

As compared with the previous circular, it can be seen that Circular No.33/2018/TT-BTC has reduced the fees and charges in the travel service. Accordingly, the Circular is expected to contribute to attract more enterprises involved in tourism business, promoting this service industry continues to grow strongly in the coming time.