Da Nang: Tourism is safer now that tour regulations are tightened.

If you are planning an international tour in Da Nang, it's worth noting that on December 10th, the Da Nang City Inspectorate announced its conclusions regarding compliance with the law in the operation of international travel services and tourist service establishments. After inspecting 8 businesses, authorities identified numerous violations; among them, 3 units were fined administratively with a total penalty of over 300 million VND.

From a tourist's perspective, this signals that the city is moving towards a more transparent and healthy tourism business environment. And to make your trip even more enjoyable, you can also equip yourself with a few helpful tips when choosing services.

What was revealed in the inspection report?

According to the conclusions announced by the Da Nang City Inspectorate, several businesses were found to have violated regulations related to taxes, tourism business conditions, and the use of foreign labor. Three units were penalized:

• Sky Family Trading and Tourism Services Co., Ltd.: punishedover 215 million VNDAuthorities determined that the business was selling goods without issuing invoices, evading taxes, and signing labor contracts that lacked the required information.
• Danang Guide Man Co., Ltd.: punished64 million VNDThis is due to the failure to properly implement statistical reporting procedures and the inability to fully meet the conditions for conducting travel service business as stipulated in the Tourism Law.
• Au Lac Investment and Tourism Company Limited's branch in Da Nang: punished30 million VNDdue to usetwoForeign workers are working in a manner inconsistent with the terms of their work permits.

Why should travelers pay attention to this before booking a tour?

The violations mentioned in the inspection report are not just about business management. For tourists, they touch on very practical issues: the clarity of invoices, the transparency of tour programs, and who directly provides services to you throughout your trip.

In the travel experience, a sense of "peace of mind" often comes from small details: a properly issued invoice, a clearly detailed itinerary outlining the services provided, or an employment contract/license that matches the employee's qualifications. These are also the points that authorities are emphasizing as they tighten regulations.

How to choose a tour transparently: a quick checklist before transferring money.

You don't need to be an expert to minimize risks when booking a tour. Consider these some "relevant" questions to help you screen providers before finalizing your booking:

1) Ask clearly about invoices and supporting documents.

• Before making the payment, ask the tour operator about...billand the time of invoice issuance.
• Keep records of payments, booking confirmations, and important messages/terms of exchange.

2) Requests for the tour program and service conditions must be stated in writing.

• Please provide a tour itinerary clearly showing which items are included and which are not.
• Carefully read the exchange/cancellation conditions and any potential charges.

3) Notes regarding tours involving foreign workers

In the inspection report, one unit was fined for employing foreign workers in a manner inconsistent with the terms of their work permits. Therefore, if your tour program involves foreign workers providing services, proactively inquire about their role in the trip and request clear explanations from the travel agency.

Regulatory measures: tightening international travel regulations, increasing tax inspections.

Based on the inspection results, the Da Nang City Inspectorate recommends that the Chairman of the City People's Committee direct relevant departments and agencies to tighten management of international travel activities. Specifically:

• Department of Culture, Sports and TourismThey were asked to strengthen inspections and prevent tour operators from violating regulations; and to coordinate with the police and other functional units to review the use of foreign labor.
• Tax DepartmentThey were tasked with strengthening the inspection of invoices, documents, tax declarations, and tax payments to prevent revenue losses and ensure a transparent and healthy business environment for tourism.

According to the Da Nang City Inspectorate, the strict handling of violations aims to restore order in the travel business and protect the city's tourism image.

Here are some tips to make your trip less stressful.

• Choose a supplier with clear documentation.Priority is given to providers who offer transparent responses regarding invoices, programs, and service terms and conditions.
• Don't rush into decisions based on emotions.Take a few minutes to double-check the information before making the payment, especially for tours with many items.
• Keep your travel documents.Schedules, service confirmations, and payment documents are the minimum "insurance" you need to get things done when necessary.

Da Nang is mentioned as a destination with great tourism potential. Along with increased inspections and audits based on published conclusions, the tourist experience has an added layer of assurance: the service market is being promoted to operate more transparently and in accordance with regulations.