On-site Tour Guide Card: Issuance Guide

The on-site tour guide card issuance procedure enhances tourism quality under the regulations of the 2017 Law on Tourism. Adhering to this process ensures guides practice legally, develop professional skills, and contribute to the local tourism image. Long Phan Consulting Company provides this technical summary to facilitate swift, compliant execution for clients.

Statutory Conditions for Issuance

Per Clause 3, Article 59 of the 2017 Law on Tourism, applicants must meet specific statutory requirements to obtain the on-site tour guide card. These criteria include:

• Nationality and Residence: Must hold Vietnamese citizenship and reside permanently in Vietnam.

• Civil Capacity: Must possess full civil act capacity.

• Health and Conduct: Must not suffer from infectious diseases or use narcotics.

• Professional Testing: Must pass the on-site guiding examination organized by the provincial specialized tourism agency.

Competent Licensing Authority

Under Point c, Clause 2, Article 61 of the 2017 Law on Tourism, the provincial specialized tourism agency holds jurisdiction. Specifically, the Department of Tourism or the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism within the province or centrally-run city organizes the examination and issues the card.

Components of the dossier for applying for an on-site tour guide card

Clause 1, Article 61 of the 2017 Law on Tourism mandates the following documents for the on-site tour guide card application dossier:

• Health Certificate: Issued by a competent medical facility within 06 months of the submission date.

• Photography: 02 color portrait photos, size 3cm x 4cm.

• Application Form: Use Form No. 04, Appendix II of Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BVHTTDL.

• Curriculum Vitae: Certified by the Commune-level People’s Committee of residence (this requirement is waived if residence data exists in the national database).

Procedure for issuing an on-site tour guide card

Clause 2, Article 61 of the 2017 Law on Tourism defines the administrative workflow:

• Assessment Schedule: The Department of Tourism or Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism announces the annual plan for on-site guiding professional examinations.

• Submission: Applicants submit the dossier online via the National Public Service Portal (Procedure Code: 1.001440) or physically at the Department headquarters to receive a receipt.

• Issuance: The authority organizes the test and issues the on-site tour guide card to successful candidates within 10 days of the examination results.

>>> See more at: Issuance of international tour guide card – Conditions & Procedures

Long Phan Consulting Services

Long Phan Consulting Company delivers comprehensive legal support for the on-site tour guide card application. Our technical scope includes:

• Legal assessment of the application dossier.

• Drafting and compilation of statutory documents.

• Authorized representation for submission to state agencies.

• Direct liaison for dossier explanation and tracking.

• Resolution of supplementary requests.

Technical FAQs

Scope of Practice Limitation The on-site tour guide card

restricts practice strictly to the tourist area or attraction specified on the card. Practicing at a different location requires passing the professional test for that specific site (Point c, Clause 2, Article 58, Law on Tourism 2017).

Educational Prerequisites

Current regulations do not require a tourism-specific diploma (college or university level) for this specific card. Passing the professional examination organized by the provincial authority is the primary technical requirement (Point a, Clause 3, Article 59, Law on Tourism 2017).

Foreign National Eligibility

Foreign nationals cannot obtain this credential. The law explicitly requires Vietnamese citizenship and permanent residence (Point a, Clause 1, Article 59, Law on Tourism 2017).

Validity upon Relocation

The card remains valid for the specific site recorded on it until expiration, regardless of the holder’s change in residence. However, to practice at a site in the new province of residence, the guide must undergo the examination procedure for that new location (Clause 3, Article 58, Law on Tourism 2017).

Conclusion

The procedure for issuing an on-site tour guide card requires precise understanding of legal regulations and local administrative processes. Preparing a complete dossier and meeting the professional assessment requirements helps clients shorten processing time and ensure lawful eligibility to practice. For timely and professional legal assistance, please contact Long Phan Consulting via hotline 1900636389.