Are you an FDI enterprise that recognizes the development potential of the tourism industry in recent years and wants to register additional tourism business codes? Before proceeding, you need to understand certain matters such as the meanings of each tourism business code to select the one that best fits your business operations. Regarding registration, you must know which documents and paperwork to prepare. In this article, KMC will help you address all of these issues.
Meaning of Tourism Business Codes
If you are an FDI enterprise looking to register additional tourism-related business in Vietnam, choosing the appropriate business code is the first important step. Therefore, you need to clearly understand the meaning of each code to select the one that fits your business activities. Below is a list of common tourism business codes according to Decision No. 27/2018/QĐ-TTg:
Code 7911 – Travel Agency
This code is for businesses that specialize in selling tourism products such as package tours, airline tickets, or accommodation services. It suits those who want to act as intermediaries, connecting customers with tourism service providers. For example, you can sell tours to visit Ha Long Bay or book hotel rooms for international visitors.
Code 7912 – Tour Operator
This is the most common level-4 business code. It is for businesses that directly organize and operate tours. You will be responsible for arranging everything from transportation, hotels, and tour guides to itineraries.
Code 7990 – Other Reservation Services and Related Activities
This code is suitable for FDI enterprises wishing to support customers with restaurant bookings, event tickets, or organizing promotional programs for Vietnamese destinations targeting international tourists.
Code 5510 – Short-term Accommodation Services
This business code applies to businesses operating hotels, guesthouses, resorts, or tourist villas. Code 5510 does not include bar or karaoke operations.
Code 4932 – Other Passenger Land Transport
Code 4932 applies to businesses that provide transportation services for tourists by car, such as airport shuttles, city sightseeing bus tours, or rental cars under contracts. If you want to run a premium car service for international tourists, choose this code.
Code 5229 – Other Transportation Support Services
Code 5229 is suitable if you want to offer logistical and administrative services such as visa processing, airline ticket bookings, or freight forwarding.
Code 7310 – Advertising
If you want to run tourism promotional campaigns such as placing ads on social media, putting up outdoor billboards, or producing destination introduction videos, this tourism business code is the right choice. For example, you can launch a promotional campaign for the Da Nang fireworks festival targeting international markets.
Code 7320 – Market Research and Public Opinion Polling
Tourism business code 7320 is for businesses that want to understand tourist preferences, such as surveying European tourists’ interests when traveling to Vietnam. It suits those aiming to build business strategies based on market data.
Code 8230 – Organization of Conventions and Trade Promotion Events
This code is appropriate for businesses that organize tourism fairs, exhibitions, or promotional events. For instance, you can organize a seminar introducing Vietnamese culture to international partners.
How to Register Additional Tourism Business Codes
If you are an FDI enterprise and want to add tourism business codes to your business license in Vietnam, follow the procedure below.
Prepare Documentation for Adding Tourism Business Codes
First, you need to prepare a complete and accurate set of documents. Required papers include:
- Notice of change in business registration details (clearly stating the tourism code and the exact name of the business line according to the Vietnam Standard Industrial Classification).
- Meeting minutes of the Members’ Council or Board of Directors, showing agreement on the addition of tourism business codes.
- Decision to add business codes issued by the Members’ Council/Board of Directors, indicating changes in business activities.
- Authorization letter (if applicable). If you are not submitting the application yourself and authorize someone else, you need a valid authorization letter.
Submission Procedure and Result Collection
After preparing the documents, proceed with the following three steps:
Step 1: Submit the Application to the Department of Finance
Submit the documents to the Business Registration Office under the Department of Finance where your enterprise is headquartered. Within 3 working days, the Department will review the validity of the documents and inform you of the result. If the documents are incomplete, you will be guided on how to revise them.
Step 2: Receive the Result
On the appointment date indicated on the receipt, go to the Department to collect the Certificate of Change in Business Registration Details. Alternatively, you may register to receive the result by post to save time.
Note: As of July 1, 2015, the new business registration certificate no longer specifies detailed business lines.
Step 3: Publicize the Information on the National Portal
Within 30 days from the date of receiving the confirmation certificate, you must publish the information about the change in tourism business codes on the National Business Registration Portal. This is a mandatory requirement under the 2020 Law on Enterprises to ensure transparency.
Note on Tourism Business Conditions
Tourism is a conditional business sector, so you need to add the appropriate business code and meet the following requirements:
Domestic Tour Operator
- Have a clear business plan and tour programs.
- The tour manager must have at least 3 years of experience in the tourism field.
- Submit an application for a domestic tour operator license to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
International Tour Operator
- Have a plan and programs for international tours.
- The tour manager must have 4 years of experience in the tourism field.
- Have at least 3 guides with international tour guide licenses.
- Deposit VND 500 million in a bank (interest-bearing, non-term).
- Apply for an international tour operator license at the central tourism management agency.
After adding the business code, you must apply for a tour operator license from the Department of Culture and Sports before officially operating. The application dossier includes:
- Application form for the license.
- Business registration certificate.
- Business plan and tour programs.
- Proof of the manager’s experience, tour guide licenses, and deposit confirmation documents.
Choosing the right tourism business code ensures legal compliance and facilitates licensing, taxation, or partnership processes. For FDI enterprises, understanding the meanings of tourism business codes also helps shape your business strategy in Vietnam. If your FDI enterprise is unfamiliar with legal procedures in Vietnam, consider hiring a professional consulting firm like KMC to assist in drafting and submitting documents on time. Established in 2008, KMC has over 15 years of experience advising numerous FDI enterprises and has a professional team that is knowledgeable and up-to-date with annual regulatory changes. Therefore, we guarantee that we can help you complete your documents quickly and conveniently.
Please contact us via hotline: +84814894789, +84919889331 (HCMC) or +84814894789 (Hanoi) for consultation.
