Tour Guide Card – Requirements, Procedures, and Tips to Obtain It

You want to become a professional tour guide but are not yet clear about the tour guide card? This is a mandatory certificate for practicing legally, opening up job opportunities with attractive income from VND 8-50 million/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 , requirements, procedures, and tips for obtaining the card easily. Let’s explore so you can 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 conditions to work as a tour guide under ​the provisions of Clause 7, Article 9 of Decree 45/2019/ND-CP. The card is mandatory for legally guiding tours and helps you avoid fines of VND 15-20 million if you violate the regulations.

Three types of tour guide cards:

• Domestic tour guide card: Used to guide tours within Vietnam, serving domestic or international tourists at destinations in the country.
• International tour guide card: For those who guide tours abroad or serve international tourists in Vietnam.
• On-site tour guide card: For those who provide commentary at specific attractions (museums, historical sites, scenic spots) without having to accompany tourists on long itineraries.

Benefits of a tour guide card:

• Enhances credibility, making it easier for you to get hired by major travel companies.
• Meets legal requirements and protects you while working in the profession.
• Expands opportunities to work with international tourists or at famous tourist attractions, especially with an on-site card.

2. Requirements for Obtaining a Tour Guide Card

According to Article 59 of the 2017 Law on Tourism, each type of card has its own requirements. Below are the specific conditions:

a) Domestic tour guide card

• Graduated from an intermediate-level program or higher in tour guiding (from schools such as Hanoi Tourism College, Saigon Tourism College).
• If you graduated in another field (economics, foreign languages, etc.), you need a certificate of professional training in tour guiding (2-month course).
• Be a Vietnamese citizen with full civil act capacity.
• Not suffer from infectious diseases and not use illegal stimulants.

b) International tour guide card

• Graduated from a college-level program or higher in tour guiding.
• If your major is different, you need a certificate of professional training in tour guiding (3-month course).
• Meet foreign language proficiency standards:
• English: Minimum B2 (TOEIC 600+, IELTS 5.5).
• Other languages (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, etc.): Level 4/6 according to the Vietnamese Foreign Language Competency Framework.
• Other requirements are similar to those for the domestic card.

c) On-site tour guide card

• Graduated from an intermediate-level program or higher in tour guiding or related fields (culture, history, archaeology, etc.).
• If your major is different, you need a certificate of professional training for on-site guiding (short course, usually 1-2 months).
• A foreign language is not mandatory, but knowing one is an advantage (especially at international tourist reception sites such as the Temple of Literature and the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long).
• Health and conduct requirements are similar to those for other types of cards.

Note:

• Saigon Tourism College or Hanoi Tourism College organizes professional training courses for all three types of cards, helping you quickly meet the requirements.
• The on-site card is suitable for those who want to work steadily at a fixed location and travel less than domestic/international tour 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 a professional training course:

• Register for a training course at reputable institutions such as Saigon Tourism College, Hanoi University of Culture, Hanoi Tourism College.
• Training duration:
• Domestic: 2 months.
• International: 3 months.
• On-site: 1-2 months.
• Content: Tourism knowledge, culture, history, tour guiding/presentation skills, and situation handling.

2.Prepare the application dossier:

• Application form for card issuance (according to the template of the Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
• Copy of diploma (intermediate/college/university, notarized).
• Tour guiding professional certificate (depending on the card type).
• Curriculum vitae certified by the commune-level People's Committee of the place of residence (not required if residence data is already available)
• Copy of foreign language certificate (for international cards).
• 2 photos sized 3x4 cm (white background, taken within the last 6 months).
• Health certificate (issued by a competent medical examination and treatment facility).

3.Submit the application:

• Submit online: Through the National Public Service Portal at dichvucong.gov.vn or the local public service portal.
• Or submit to the local Department of Tourism/Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism by post or in person (e.g., Hanoi Department of Tourism).
• Fee: VND 100,000-650,000, depending on the area.

4.Take the assessment exam (if required):

• Some localities organize exams to test tourism knowledge, presentation skills (especially for on-site cards), and foreign language proficiency (international cards).
• The exam is held 1-2 times per year.

5.Receive the card:

• Processing time: 15 working days after the dossier is deemed valid.
• The card is valid for 5 years and must be renewed upon expiration. (The on-site card does not have a specific validity period)

4. Cost of Obtaining a Tour Guide Card

ItemCost (Estimated):

Professional training course: VND 2-5 million (domestic/international), VND 1-3 million (on-site)

Application submission fee: VND 100,000-650,000

Assessment exam (if any): VND 300,000-700,000

Health certificate, photos, notarization: VND 100,000-300,000

• Total cost:
• Domestic/international card: VND 3-6 million.
• On-site card: VND 2–4 million (because the course is shorter).
• Schools such as Saigontourist Hospitality College, Hanoi Tourism College often offer all-inclusive training packages (study + exam support), helping reduce costs.

5. Tips for Getting a Tour Guide Card Quickly

To obtain a tour guide card smoothly, apply the following tips:

Choose a quality training school: Hanoi Tourism College offers courses closely aligned with the exam, with experienced lecturers providing test-taking tips and commentary practice.

Review thoroughly:

• Domestic/on-site: Focus on Vietnam’s geography, culture, and history (such as historical sites in Hanoi and Hue).
• International: Practice additional international knowledge and foreign languages.
• Practice handling situations (customer complaints, delayed trips). ? Improve foreign languages (for the international card): Practice speaking fluently and prepare for a confident interview. ? Practice tour commentary: Especially for the on-site card, practice presenting at simulated sites (such as the Temple of Literature and museums). ? Update exam schedules: Follow announcements from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism or the Department of Tourism so you do not miss the certification exam.

6. Comparison of the Three Types of Tour Guide Cards

Criteria | Domestic Card | International Card | On-Site Card

Scope of work: Tours within Vietnam | Domestic/overseas tours | Commentary at a fixed site

Qualification requirements: Intermediate level or higher | College level or higher | Intermediate level or higher

Foreign language: Not required | Required (B2 or higher) | Not required (an advantage if available)

Average income: VND 8–15 million/month | VND 15–50 million/month | VND 6–12 million/month

Study duration: 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 beginners who want to gain experience before upgrading to an international card.
• International card: Offers high-income opportunities, but requires foreign languages and extensive knowledge.

7. Frequently Asked Questions About Tour Guide Cards

❓ Can I work as a tour guide without a tour guide card?

It is not legal. You may be fined VND 5–10 million if you lead tours without a card.

❓ Can an on-site card be used to lead domestic tours?

No. An on-site card only allows commentary at licensed sites (such as historical sites and museums).

❓ Can an international card be used to lead domestic and on-site tours?

Yes! An international card includes the right to lead domestic tours, but it does not replace an on-site card if you work permanently at a historical site.

❓ How long does it take to get a tour guide card?

From taking the training course to receiving the card, it takes about 2–6 months, depending on the type of card and the certification exam schedule.

❓ Where should I study to get the card quickly?

Hanoi Tourism College, Saigontourist Hospitality College, or centers recognized by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism are top choices.

Conclusion – Register on Huongdanviendulich.vn to Connect with Tourism Jobs

A tour guide card – whether domestic, international, or on-site – is the key to entering the professional tourism industry, with opportunities to explore the world and attractive income from VND 6–50 million/month. With a clear process, reasonable costs (VND 2–6 million), and support from reputable schools, obtaining a card has never been easier!

After getting your card, register an account today on Huongdanviendulich.vn to connect with your dream job opportunities! This platform helps you:

• Find jobs that match your card type (domestic, international, on-site).
• Connect directly with reputable travel companies and clients in need of tour guides.
• Update information about new tours and build your professional network.

Take action now: Visit Huongdanviendulich.vn, create a free account, and begin your journey to conquer the tourism industry with a tour guide card in hand!

From tour guide card to ideal job – Just one click away!