Standard Licensing Process for Music Event Permits

Licensing Process for Music Event Permits must be managed according to its proper regulatory classification as prior approval for artistic performance activities, especially ticketed concerts, live music shows, mini concerts, and music festivals. Filing with the wrong authority or omitting key documents such as the performance script, repertoire list, venue records, security plan, or fire safety (PCCC) measures may lead to event suspension, revenue disruption, and administrative sanctions. This guide reviews Legal Updates, clarifies when notification is sufficient and when prior approval is required, standardizes the application workflow, and helps enterprises control operational risks with Long Phan Consulting.

Distinguish between cases requiring notification and cases requiring written approval

Businesses need to categorize music events right from the concept, venue, and ticket sales planning stages. Incorrect categorization can slow down the media schedule, halt ticket sales, and create the risk of penalties before the event takes place.

In cases where only notification of an artistic performance is required…

Some music events don’t require written approval, but they still have to be held announcement of art performance. This group generally has lower risk because they don’t issue tickets or charge for performances.

Businesses can implement a notification mechanism when events fall into the following categories:

• The event served a political purpose.
• Internal tour program.
• Music events at establishments providing accommodation, food, and entertainment services, subject to certain conditions. No tickets issued. and No entrance fee will be charged for the performance..

This mechanism is defined in Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 8 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP. The authority to receive notifications currently belongs to People’s Committee at the commune level for the event, as per Clause 1, Article 7 of Decree No. 137/2025/ND-CP.

Cases where written approval is required to organize artistic performances

Commercial music events often cannot simply be announced. Live shows, mini-concerts, music festivals, or ticketed concerts require a formal application process document approving the organization of artistic performances. Businesses must obtain approval when an event falls outside the exempted category. A typical example is a public performance with ticket sales, admission fees, or organized as an independent commercial activity. The legal basis is Clause 3, Article 8 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.

Selling tickets before official approval creates direct financial risks. If the application is required to be revised or is rejected, the business may have to refund tickets, compensate for sponsorship contracts, and handle crisis communications.

>>> See more: Comprehensive Guide to Obtaining an International Conference Permit

Risks of misclassifying procedures

Incorrect classification can lead to procedural errors even when the performance content does not violate any rules. This is a common risk when agencies, brands, or venue managers view “notifications” as a substitute for approval.

Failure to notify the authorities before organizing a performance may result in a fine.15,000,000 to 20,000,000 VND. For individuals, organizing an event that requires permission without written approval may result in a fine.25,000,000 to 30,000,000 VND. For individuals, according to Point a, Clause 3, and Point c, Clause 5, Article 17 of Decree No. 87/2026/ND-CP.

For businesses, the amount of the fine imposed is doubled.2 times compared to individuals for the same violation. This rule significantly increases the cost of wrongful compliance, especially for events with signed contracts with artists, venues, media sponsors, and other sponsors, as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 6 of Decree No. 87/2026/ND-CP.

Legal Requirements Prior to Submitting a Music Event Dossier

Enterprises should refrain from preparing an approval dossier without first verifying their organizational capacity and operational conditions at the venue. This pre-approval control layer helps minimize the risk of being requested to submit supplementary documents, facing rejection, or having the event suspended close to the scheduled date.

Conditions Regarding the Organizing Entity

The entity named in the dossier must possess the appropriate legal capacity for performing arts activities. For agencies, brands, or venue management units, the primary risk often stems from undertaking event organization while lacking the compatible business sectors, functions, or corporate profiles.

The group of eligible subjects that must be screened includes:

• Public service providers with the function of organizing performing arts.
• Professional associations in the field of performing arts.
• Organizations and individuals that have registered businesses for performing arts activities.

These conditions are stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP. If the named subject is unsuitable, the entire timeline for ticket sales, marketing, and artist contract signing may be delayed.

Conditions for Security, Safety, and Venue Operation

Music events are not merely cultural procedures; enterprises must demonstrate their ability to control risks at the venue, especially for programs with large crowds, stages, audio-visual systems, and concentrated audience areas.

The groups of conditions that need to be standardized before submission include:

• Plans for ensuring security, social order, and safety.
• Conditions regarding health, environment, and operational risk control.
• Plans for fire prevention, firefighting, and rescue operations.

Point b, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP requires the organizing entity to meet conditions regarding security, order, social safety, health, environment, and fire safety. Lacking this layer of documentation can result in the event being halted even if the performance script meets the requirements.

Dossier for Cultural Event Approval

The dossier for approval must be standardized to demonstrate three distinct layers of content: the organizing entity, the performance content, and event operational capacity. For ticketed programs, a weak dossier can impede the progress of ticket sales, marketing campaigns, and sponsorship execution.

Mandatory Dossier Components

Enterprises must distinguish between mandatory dossier components and supplementary operational documents. The core legal components must accurately reflect the contents of the program intended for public performance.

The application dossier includes:

• A written request for organizing performing arts, prepared according to Form No. 02. This document establishes the requesting entity, the scope of the program, and the responsibilities of the organizer, as stipulated in Point a, Clause 3, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.
• The performance script and the list of works attached to the author and the person primarily responsible for the content. For foreign works, the enterprise must attach a Vietnamese translation, in accordance with Point b, Clause 3, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP, as amended and supplemented by Decree 116/2026/NĐ-CP.

These two groups of documents serve as the foundation for competent authorities to evaluate the performance content. If the script does not align with the list of works or the actual lineup of artists, the enterprise may face risks related to organizing content inconsistent with what was approved.

Parallel Standardization of Legal and Operational Documents

Beyond the required filing documents, enterprises should prepare a supplementary dossier to justify the feasibility of the event. This group of documents helps reduce the risk of requests for clarification for large-scale programs with high attendance or international elements.

The recommended standardized document set includes:

• Legal documentation of the organizing entity, particularly regarding business sectors or functions related to performing arts activities.
• Documents proving the right to use the venue, such as lease agreements, borrowing agreements, or documents assigning venue management authority.
• Plans ensuring security, social order, safety, health, environment, and fire prevention.
• Documentation regarding copyright and related rights for the musical works used in the program.

Point a and Point b, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP require the organizing entity to hold appropriate status and meet conditions regarding security, order, social safety, health, environment, and fire prevention. Therefore, operational documents should be prepared in advance rather than waiting for requests from state authorities.

Risk Control of the Dossier Before Submission

The most significant risk for music event dossiers is the lack of consistency between the script, the list of works, the artists, the timing, the location, and the operational plans. For events where tickets have already gone on sale, a single request for revision can disrupt the entire production schedule.

Enterprises should audit their dossier following this sequence:

• Cross-reference the script with the list of works, authors, and the person responsible for the content.
• Verify the organizational status and business registration conditions before naming the entity on the dossier.
• Synchronize venue documentation with security, health, environmental, and fire safety plans.
• Audit music copyrights before finalizing marketing, ticket sales, or announcing the lineup.

Submitting the dossier at least 07 working days before the intended date is the minimum procedural requirement. If the dossier is invalid, state authorities will notify the organizer of the requirement for completion within 03 working days, in accordance with Point a, Point b, Clause 4, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.

Competent Authority for Reception and Approval

Correctly identifying the receiving authority is the decisive factor in the legal progress of a music event. Submitting to the wrong authority can lead to dossier redirection, delays in script approval, and a direct impact on ticket sale plans.

Authority for Receiving Notifications

For events only subject to notification, enterprises no longer submit dossiers through the provincial level as in the past. The authority for direct reception now belongs to the People’s Committee of the commune where the event is held. This mechanism is particularly critical for internal events and programs at accommodation, food and beverage, or entertainment establishments that do not sell tickets. Filing the notification in the correct locality provides enterprises with the basis to prove that they have completed their procedural obligations prior to the event date.

The authority to receive notifications is determined in Clause 1, Article 7 of Decree 137/2025/NĐ-CP. Enterprises should retain the receipt or proof of submission for post-event audits during venue inspections.

Authority of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST)

The MOCST has the authority to approve events organized within the framework of international cooperation by central agencies. These are typically programs involving diplomatic elements, international artists, or coordination on a central level. Enterprises involved in organizing, sponsoring, or operating events in this group must verify the legal role of the presiding agency. Submitting dossiers to local authorities when the event falls under the MOCST’s jurisdiction can disrupt the approval structure.

This authority is stipulated in Point a, Clause 2, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP. For events with international elements, the dossier requires additional control over scripts, lists of foreign works, and their Vietnamese translations.

Authority of the Provincial People’s Committee

For the majority of live shows, mini-concerts, music festivals, or commercial music nights held in a locality, the approving authority is the Provincial People’s Committee (for programs not under MOCST’s approval authority). This is the most common practical processing route for event-organizing enterprises. Provincial-level authority is appropriate for standard commercial performance programs that involve ticket sales, charging participation fees, or are organized before the public in the managed locality. The legal basis is Point b, Clause 2, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.

Standard permit application process for music events

The approval process shouldn’t begin with filling out a form. Businesses need to design the legal, operational, and commercial workflows in advance to avoid the risk of selling tickets before approval.

Pre-screening step before submitting the application

The pre-approval phase helps businesses determine the correct notification or approval process. This is a necessary step before announcing artists, selling tickets, or signing media agreements with sponsors.

Businesses should implement this in the following order:

1. Review event types. To determine whether an event requires notification or mandatory written approval, according to Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 8 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.
2. Verify the eligibility of the organization and the business lines of the entity named in the application, as this condition is stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.
3. Evaluating the venue. Regarding security, health, environment, and fire prevention, according to Point b, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.

If any of the three points above are not met, the business should address them before incurring significant production costs. The cost of adjusting venue, artist, or ticket contracts is often higher than the initial legal review cost.

Standardization and submission steps

After pre-approval, the documentation needs to be synchronized between the script, list of works, person responsible for the content, and event schedule. Small discrepancies in the documentation can lead to requests for additional information, directly affecting the performance date.

The application process should be followed as follows:

1. Standardize the proposal document. Organize art performances using Form No. 02, as this is a mandatory document component according to Point a, Clause 3, Article 10 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.
2. Finalize the program script and list of works. It is linked to the author and the person primarily responsible for the content. Foreign works must have a Vietnamese translation, according to Point b, Clause 3, Article 10 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP, as amended and supplemented by Decree No. 116/2026/ND-CP.
3. Submit one set of documents. Go to the correct competent authority at least first.7 working days compared to the scheduled date, according to Point a, Clause 4, Article 10 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.

7 working days is just the minimum procedural deadline. For ticketed events, those featuring international artists, or those using international works, businesses should prepare earlier to handle copyright, venue, and content documentation.

Monitoring, receiving results, and post-auditing steps.

After submitting the application, businesses should monitor the response from the competent authority as a formal operational step. Submitting the application should not be seen as the end of the legal process.

The post-submission control procedure includes:

1. Track additional requests. If the application is incomplete, the government agency will notify you and request that you complete it.3 working days, according to Point b, Clause 4, Article 10 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.
2. Receive approval document. When the application is complete, the competent authority will issue and publicly announce the document.05 working days, according to Point c, Clause 4, Article 10 of Decree No. 144/2020/ND-CP.
3. Organize the event in accordance with the approved content. This includes the artist, the work, the time, the location, and the program script.
4. Keep a record of the post-audit. To demonstrate compliance during on-site inspections or post-event disputes.

Businesses need to monitor all changes after approval. Changing artists, works, venues, or dates without proper updating can shift the risk from a record error to an organizational error.

>>> See more: Which events require a permit before being held?

Standard Procedures for Obtaining Music Event Permits

The approval procedure should not begin with filling out forms. Enterprises must first design their legal, operational, and commercial workflows to avoid the risk of selling tickets before the dossier is officially approved.

Preliminary Pre-Approval Step

The pre-approval phase helps enterprises accurately determine whether they only need to notify authorities or must obtain a formal approval document. This step must be completed before announcing artists, opening ticket sales, or signing marketing commitments with sponsors.

Enterprises should proceed in the following order:

• Review the event type to determine if it only requires notification or if it is mandatory to apply for an approval document, in accordance with Clauses 1, 2, and 3, Article 8 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.
• Verify the organizational capacity and business sectors of the entity named in the dossier, as this condition is stipulated in Point a, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.
• Evaluate the venue regarding security, health, environment, and fire prevention, per Point b, Clause 1, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.

If any of the above three points are not met, the enterprise should address them before incurring significant production costs. Costs associated with adjusting venue contracts, artist agreements, or ticket schemes are typically higher than initial legal audit costs.

Standardization and Dossier Submission

After the pre-approval phase, the dossier must be synchronized regarding the script, the list of works, the person responsible for content, and the event timing. Small discrepancies in documentation can trigger requests for supplementary materials, directly affecting the event date.

The submission process should be carried out as follows:

• Standardize the written request for organizing performing arts according to Form No. 02, as this is a mandatory component under Point a, Clause 3, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.
• Finalize the program script and the list of works attached to the author and the person primarily responsible for content; foreign works must include a Vietnamese translation, per Point b, Clause 3, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP, as amended by Decree 116/2026/NĐ-CP.
• Submit one complete dossier to the competent authority at least 07 working days prior to the expected event date, per Point a, Clause 4, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.

The 07-working-day mark is only the minimum procedural deadline; for events involving ticket sales, foreign artists, or international works, enterprises should prepare well in advance to handle copyright, venue, and content documentation.

Monitoring Results and Post-Event Audit

After submission, enterprises must monitor feedback from competent authorities as a core operational task, rather than viewing submission as the end of the legal process.

The control sequence post-submission includes:

• Monitoring requests for supplementation if the dossier is invalid; state authorities will notify the organizer to complete the dossier within 03 working days, per Point b, Clause 4, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.
• Receiving the approval document once the dossier is complete; competent authorities issue and publicly announce the document within 05 working days, per Point c, Clause 4, Article 10 of Decree 144/2020/NĐ-CP.
• Organizing the event in accordance with the approved content, including artists, works, timing, location, and the program script.
• Storing post-audit documentation to prove compliance during inspections at the venue or in the event of disputes after the program.

Enterprises must control all changes after receiving approval; changing artists, works, locations, or timing without appropriate updates can shift risks from dossier errors to content violations.

Music Event Performance Permit Consulting Services at Long Phan Consulting

A music event performance permit must be managed as a chain of compliance rather than a mere administrative dossier. Long Phan Consulting assists enterprises in controlling every stage—from event classification and dossier standardization to operational compliance with approval documents and post-event risk management.

Our services are designed for agencies, brands, venue management units, and organizers of live shows or music festivals with high demands regarding schedules, ticket revenue, and compliance responsibilities.

Key Consulting Services:

• Classifying legal mechanisms for each event, determining whether it requires simple notification or a mandatory cultural event approval document.
• Conducting due diligence on the organizing entity’s status, business sectors, venue usage rights, and operational conditions before the enterprise announces the program.
• Standardizing program scripts, lists of works, artist lineups, persons responsible for content, and Vietnamese translations for foreign works.
• Auditing copyright and related rights documentation to limit risks of show cancellation, copyright complaints, or disputes with work exploitation entities.
• Representing clients in submitting dossiers and providing explanations to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or Provincial People’s Committees in accordance with their authority.
• Providing updates on dossier adjustments when artists, timing, locations, works, or performance content change after approval has been granted.
• Reviewing event contracts, including venue leases, sponsorships, performance agreements, insurance contracts, and indemnification clauses in the event of program suspension.
• Representing clients in handling administrative violations or disputes arising from show cancellations, content violations, copyright infringements, or commercial partner complaints.

Effective procedural control from the event design phase helps enterprises minimize risks of suspension, monetary fines, ticket refunds, and contract-based compensation. Enterprises may submit documents via Email info@longphanpmt.com or Zalo/WhatsApp +84 906 735 386 for preliminary evaluation by Long Phan Consulting.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Standard Application Process for Music Event Permits

Mastering the legal procedures related to “music event permits” not only helps businesses optimize their operational processes but also prevents the risk of sudden suspension of operations. The questions below focus on common “edge-case” situations in event management, from delegation of authority to the joint liability of the organizing entity. Proactively controlling compliance from the document preparation stage is crucial for protecting cash flow and brand reputation.

Conclusion

A music event performance permit must be controlled by the enterprise from the initial classification phase to the formal application for a cultural event approval document. Errors in jurisdiction, missing content dossiers, unclear venue usage rights, or neglected security and fire safety plans can lead to event delays, monetary fines, program suspension, and commercial compensation obligations. Enterprises should audit their dossiers thoroughly before opening ticket sales or announcing the artist lineup. Contact our hotline at 1900 636 389 for Long Phan Consulting to provide support in evaluating and implementing procedures in accordance with the regulations.