Scenario: a foreign-invested travel company budgets the old reduced escrow amount from a 2022 guidebook and files for an international travel license. The dossier stalls: the temporary reduction expired on 31 December 2023, and since 1 January 2024 the full escrow levels of Decree 168/2017/ND-CP apply again — VND 250 million for inbound, VND 500 million for outbound or combined.
The escrow levels: know the exact number
Article 14 of Decree 168/2017/ND-CP (guiding the Tourism Law 09/2017/QH14) sets the escrow for travel business:
- Domestic travel: VND 100 million.
- International travel — inbound (serving international tourists to Vietnam): VND 250 million.
- International travel — outbound (taking tourists abroad): VND 500 million.
- International travel — both directions: VND 500 million.
The escrow is deposited in Vietnamese dong at a commercial bank, cooperative bank or foreign bank branch in Vietnam under an escrow contract; the bank freezes the amount and issues the escrow certificate that goes into the license dossier. The deposit must be maintained throughout the travel business operation, and the enterprise earns agreed interest on it.
Conditions beyond the money
Escrow is necessary but not sufficient. The enterprise must be established under enterprise law with travel services registered, and the person in charge of travel business must meet qualification standards: a college degree or higher in a travel major — or, for other majors, a certificate in international tour operation. For domestic travel the bar is an intermediate degree in travel or a domestic tour operation certificate.
For FDI companies the practical focus is inbound: the escrow, the qualified manager and the license application to the tourism authority. The escrow certificate (Form 01 of the decree’s appendix) is the document licensing officers check first — get the bank procedure right before filing.
Using the escrow: strictly limited
The escrow exists to compensate tourists and handle emergencies, not as working capital. Withdrawal requires the licensing authority’s written confirmation that risks or compensation have been resolved — the bank may not release it otherwise — and any amount used must be replenished. Treating escrow as a cash reserve is a compliance violation in itself.
Licensing sequence for international travel business
The standard sequence has five steps. Step one, establish the enterprise and register the travel services business line. Step two, sign the escrow contract with a commercial bank (or cooperative bank, or foreign bank branch) and receive the escrow certificate: VND 250 million for inbound, VND 500 million for outbound or both directions. Step three, appoint the travel business manager meeting degree and certificate standards. Step four, file the international travel business license application with the competent tourism authority. Step five, after licensing: maintain the escrow throughout operations and fully replenish any amount used per the licensing authority’s decision. Missing step two or three are the two most common reasons dossiers are returned.
Frequently asked questions
1. Does the escrow differ for FDI companies?
No. The escrow levels apply equally; FDI companies follow the same licensing track plus investment procedures.
2. Can we operate while the escrow is being arranged?
No. The escrow certificate is part of the license dossier; the license issues only with it.
3. Is the reduced escrow from 2022 still available?
No. The temporary reduction ended 31 December 2023; full levels apply from 1 January 2024.
4. Who can be the person in charge?
Someone with a college-or-higher travel degree, or another major plus an international tour operation certificate.
5. Can escrow be withdrawn for business use?
Only with the authority’s written confirmation for risk/compensation resolution, and it must be replenished.
