You want to become a professional tour guide but are unclear about the tour guide card? This is a mandatory certificate to practice legally, opening up job opportunities with attractive income ranging from 8-50 million VND/month. In Vietnam, there are three types of tour guide cards: domestic, international, and on-site. In this article, we will provide detailed answers about the tour guide card 2025, conditions, procedures, and tips for obtaining the card easily. Let's explore to start your tourism career today!
1. What is a Tour Guide Card?
A tour guide card is a certificate issued by the Department of Tourism or the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, confirming that you meet the qualifications to be a tour guide according to Clause 7, Article 9 of Decree 45/2019/ND-CP. The card is a mandatory requirement to legally lead tours, avoiding fines ranging from 15-20 million VND if violated.
Three types of tour guide cards:
- Domestic tour guide card: Used to lead tours within Vietnam, serving domestic or international guests at local destinations.
- International tour guide card: For those leading tours abroad or serving international guests in Vietnam.
- On-site tour guide card: For those providing commentary at specific attractions (museums, historical sites, scenic spots) without needing to travel along a long itinerary.
Benefits of the tour guide card:
- Increases credibility, making it easier for you to apply for jobs at large travel companies.
- Meets legal requirements, protecting you while working.
- Expands job opportunities with international clients or at famous tourist spots, especially with the on-site card.
2. Conditions for Obtaining the Tour Guide Card 2025
According to Article 59, Tourism Law 2017, each type of card has its own requirements. Below are the specific conditions:
a) Domestic tour guide card
- Graduated from college or higher in tourism guidance (from schools like Hanoi Tourism College, Saigon Tourism College).
- If graduated in another field (economics, foreign languages...), need a tour guide training certificate (2-month course).
- Must be a Vietnamese citizen, capable of civil behavior.
- Not suffering from infectious diseases, not using illegal stimulants.
b) International tour guide card
- Graduated from college or higher in tourism guidance.
- If in another field, need a tour guide training certificate (3-month course).
- Foreign language proficiency must meet standards:
- English: Minimum B2 (TOEIC 600+, IELTS 5.5).
- Other languages (Chinese, Korean, Japanese…): Level 4/6 according to the Vietnamese foreign language competency framework.
- Other conditions similar to the domestic card.
c) On-site tour guide card
- Graduated from college or higher in tourism guidance or related fields (culture, history, archaeology…).
- If in another field, need a on-site guide training certificate (short course, usually 1-2 months).
- No mandatory foreign language requirement, but knowing a foreign language is an advantage (especially at international guest reception points like Van Mieu, Hoang Thanh Thang Long).
- Health and character conditions similar to other types of cards.
Note:
- Saigon Tourism College or Hanoi Tourism College organizes training courses for all three types of cards, helping you meet requirements quickly.
- The on-site card is suitable for those who want stable work at a fixed location, moving less compared to domestic/international guides.
3. Procedure for Applying for a Tour Guide Card
Whether it is a domestic, international, or on-site card, the application process is similar:
1. Complete the training course:
- Register for a training course at reputable schools like Saigon Tourism College, Hanoi University of Culture, Hanoi Tourism College.
- Duration of study:
- Domestic: 2 months.
- International: 3 months.
- On-site: 1-2 months.
- Content: Tourism knowledge, culture, history, tour guiding skills/commentary, handling situations.
2. Prepare documents:
- Application for card issuance (according to the template of the Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
- Copy of graduation certificate (college/university, notarized).
- Tour guide training certificate (depending on the type of card).
- Curriculum vitae confirmed by the local People's Committee where you reside (not required to submit if there is already a residence database)
- Copy of foreign language certificate (for international cards).
- 2 photos 3x4 (white background, taken within the last 6 months).
- Health examination certificate (issued by a hospital at the district level or higher).
3. Submit documents:
- Submit online: Through the National Public Service Portal at dichvucong.gov.vn or the local public service portal.
- Or submit at the local Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism via postal service or submit directly (e.g., Hanoi Department of Tourism).
- Fee: 100,000-650,000 VND, depending on the area.
4. Examination (if required):
- Some localities organize exams to test tourism knowledge, commentary skills (especially for the on-site card), and foreign languages (international card).
- Exams take place 1-2 times a year.
5. Receive the card:
- Processing time: 15 working days after the application is valid.
- The card is valid for 5 years, needs to be renewed when expired. (The on-site card does not have a specific validity period)
4. Costs for Obtaining the Tour Guide Card
Item Estimated Cost:
Training course: 2-5 million VND (domestic/international), 1-3 million VND (on-site)
Application fee: 100,000-650,000 VND
Examination fee (if any): 300,000-700,000 VND
Health examination, photos, notarization: 100,000-300,000 VND
- Total cost:
- Domestic/international card: 3-6 million VND.
- On-site card: 2-4 million VND (due to shorter course).
- Schools like Saigon Tourism College, Hanoi Tourism College often have comprehensive training packages (study + exam support), helping to save costs.
5. Tips for Quickly Obtaining the Tour Guide Card
To smoothly obtain a tour guide card, apply the following tips:
Choose a quality training school: Hanoi Tourism College offers courses closely aligned with the exam, with experienced instructors guiding tips for taking the exam and practicing commentary.
Thoroughly review:
- Domestic/on-site: Focus on geography, culture, history of Vietnam (such as historical sites in Hanoi, Hue).
- International: Additional practice in international knowledge and foreign languages.
- Practice handling situations (complaints from guests, delays). ? Improve foreign language skills (for international cards): Practice speaking fluently, prepare for interviews confidently. ? Practice commentary: Especially with the on-site card, practice presenting at simulated locations (like Van Mieu, museums). ? Update exam schedules: Follow announcements from the General Department of Tourism or the Department of Tourism to not miss the examination period.
6. Comparison of Three Types of Tour Guide Cards
Criteria | Domestic Card | International Card | On-site Card
Scope of work: Tour within Vietnam | Tour in/out of the country | Commentary at fixed points
Qualification requirements: College or higher | College or higher | College or higher
Foreign language: Not mandatory | Mandatory (B2 or higher) | Not mandatory (advantage if available)
Average income: 8-15 million VND/month | 15-50 million VND/month | 6-12 million VND/month
Duration of study: 2 months | 3 months | 1-2 months
- On-site card: Suitable for those who prefer stable work, less travel, and enjoy researching culture and history.
- Domestic card: Ideal for newcomers who want to gain experience before upgrading to an international card.
- International card: High income opportunities, but requires foreign language skills and extensive knowledge.
7. Frequently Asked Questions About the Tour Guide Card
❓ Can I be a tour guide without a tour guide card?
Not legally. You may be fined 5-10 million VND if you lead a tour without a card.
❓ Can the on-site card lead domestic tours?
No. The on-site card only allows commentary at licensed points (such as historical sites, museums).
❓ Can the international card lead domestic and on-site tours?
Yes! The international card includes the right to lead domestic tours, but does not replace the on-site card if working fixed at a historical site.
❓ How long does it take to get a tour guide card?
From training to receiving the card takes about 2-6 months, depending on the type of card and examination schedule.
❓ Where should I study to get the card quickly?
Hanoi Tourism College, Saigon Tourism College, or centers recognized by the General Department of Tourism are top choices.
Conclusion – Register at Huongdanviendulich.vn to Connect with Tourism Jobs
The tour guide card – whether domestic, international, or on-site – is the key for you to enter the professional tourism industry, with opportunities to explore the world and attractive income ranging from 6-50 million VND/month. With a clear process, reasonable costs (2-6 million VND), and support from reputable schools, obtaining the card has never been easier!
After obtaining the card, please register an account today on Huongdanviendulich.vn to connect with your dream job opportunities! This platform helps you:
- Find jobs suitable for your card type (domestic, international, on-site).
- Directly connect with reputable travel companies and clients in need of tour guides.
- Update information about new tours and build a professional network.
Act now: Visit Huongdanviendulich.vn, create a free account, and start your journey conquering the tourism industry with the tour guide card in hand!
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