From August 1, travel agents letting foreign tourists stay illegally in Vietnam will face a fine of VND 90 million (USD 3,900), and have their business licenses temporarily revoked for up to 18 months, according to Government Decree 45 issued on May 21.
Those which let Vietnamese tourists illegally stay in foreign countries will also subject to the same sanction.
Under the new Decree, which prescribes sanctioning of administrative violations in the tourism sector, travel agents will be subject to additional sanctions based on the severity of their violations. These sanctions include temporary revocation of business licenses for up to 24 months, deprivation of tourist guide cards, revocation of decisions on recognition of tourist accommodations, tourist attractions or tourist sites, operation suspension for between one month and six months, confiscation of means used for commission of violations such as fake tourist guide cards or fake business licenses, among others.
Besides, the maximum fine to be imposed on individuals and organizations that violate the tourism law will be VND 50 million (USD 2,200) and 100 million (USD 4,400), respectively.
Travel agents will carry a fine of between VND 10 million (USD 430) and 15 million (USD 650) if failing to cooperate with related agencies and organizations in rescuing travellers, or fail to apply measures to protect tourists’ life and property.
Those that employ tourist guides who possess no tourist guide card or use fake tourist guide cards will be subject to a fine of up to VND 60 million (USD 2,600).
In case their tourist guides provide wrong information distorting the country’s history, culture and sovereignty, they will be fined up to VND 50 million (USD 2,200).- (VLLF)
