Buzz
In light of recent outcry over rampant overpricing and persistent solicitation of tourists, the Prime Minister has issued a decree imposing administrative penalties in the fields of culture, sports, tourism, and advertising. This is seen as a significant crackdown on such behaviors. Decree No. 158/2013/ND-CP dated November 12, 2013 clearly stipulates: With these provisions, effective from January 01, 2014, tourism businesses and individuals will face tighter regulations in their activities with quite substantial penalties. The decree stipulates:
Fines ranging from 10 to 15 million dong for actions such as: not assigning tour guides to accompany guests; using means and equipment that do not ensure the safety, health, and property of guests; employing foreign tour guides in Vietnam.
Fines ranging from 15 to 20 million dong for businesses not purchasing travel insurance for Vietnamese tourists traveling abroad; altering tour programs or standards signed without the consent of guests or their representatives; taking tourists into restricted areas.
Fines of 20 to 25 million dong for travel companies engaging in practices such as collecting payments outside of the guest contract; failing to manage tourists according to the contract.
Fines ranging from 25 to 30 million dong for actions such as selling travel services through multi-level marketing; violating regulations on tourism promotion activities with fines ranging from 5 to 10 million dong for offenses such as using promotional materials that do not align with the national tourism database, using promotional materials without or with incorrect titles and symbols as regulated by competent state authorities; or misrepresenting the image of Vietnam's tourism inappropriately.
Fines ranging from 10 million to 15 million dong for exploiting tourism promotion activities to harm the national interests, rights, and legitimate interests of other organizations and individuals.
Additionally, this decree also stipulates fines ranging from 3 million to 5 million dong for actions such as: not providing written tour programs for tourists or their representatives as required; failing to address legitimate requests and complaints from tourists as regulated; not clearly and honestly informing about the quantity and prices of tourism services for tourists.
Fines ranging from 5 million to 10 million dong for actions such as: using expired domestic tour guide cards to guide foreign tourists; providing accommodation services that do not meet the standard room area corresponding to each type and class of accommodation establishment; failing to timely inform tourists about emergencies, diseases, and potential risks that may endanger tourists.
For coercing and pressuring tourists to purchase goods and services, fines ranging from 1 to 3 million dong will be imposed.
Fines of 3 to 5 million dong for actions such as failing to classify waste at accommodation establishments, routes, tourist spots; employing drivers, boatmen, and transport personnel for tourists without tourism training certification.
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Source: Travel Guide Mytour – According to Dantri
MytourNovember 22, 2013
