Resort Accommodation Business Standards: 2025 Update

In the context of Vietnam's rapidly growing tourism industry in 2025, understanding and complying with resort accommodation business standards is a key factor in determining the success of any business.

1. Basic Standards for Accommodation Business

1.1 Business Conditions:

The conditions for conducting tourism accommodation services include: (Clause 1, Article 49 of the Law on Tourism)

• Registration of business in accordance with legal regulations;

• Compliance with requirements on security and order, fire prevention and fighting safety, environmental protection, and food safety as prescribed by law;

• Meeting minimum requirements on physical and technical facilities and services for tourists.

1.2 Physical Infrastructure Requirements

Resorts must meet the following physical infrastructure standards: (Point a, Clause 1, Article 21; Article 22 of Decree 168/2017/ND-CP)

• Have at least 10 guest rooms; a reception desk and shared restrooms;

• Provide parking spaces for guests in resort hotels and roadside hotels;

• Have a kitchen, dining area, and food services for resort hotels, floating hotels, and roadside hotels;

• Supply beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows, face towels, and bath towels; replace mattress covers, blanket covers, pillow covers, face towels, and bath towels when receiving new guests;

• Employ staff available 24 hours a day.

1.3 Inspection and Supervision of Minimum Facility and Service Conditions (Article 29, Decree 168/2017/ND-CP)

At least 15 days prior to operation, the tourism accommodation establishment must submit a written notification to the Department of Tourism or the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, including:

• Name, type, and scale of the accommodation establishment;

• Address, and information on the legal representative;

• A commitment to meeting the conditions for operating accommodation services.

The competent authority will inspect minimum facility and service conditions either on a scheduled or unscheduled basis. Within 7 working days after the inspection, the results will be notified in writing. If requirements are not met, the establishment must supplement or adjust accordingly and resubmit the notice in writing.

If the establishment concurrently applies for classification upon commencing operations, the inspection will be combined with the evaluation and classification process.

2. Security and Safety Regulations

Security and safety are top priorities in resort business operations. Specific requirements include: (Clause 22, Article 3 of Decree 96/2016/ND-CP)

2.1 Security and Order Conditions: (Articles 7 and 8, Decree 96/2016/ND-CP)

• The establishment must be legally registered, licensed, or established in Vietnam;

• The person responsible for security and order must not fall into any prohibited categories, such as: being under prosecution, having unexpunged serious criminal records, currently serving sentences or administrative sanctions, restricted residency, drug addiction, or ongoing administrative handling. Foreign nationals must hold a valid residence permit in Vietnam;

• The establishment must meet fire prevention and fighting safety conditions.

A security and order assurance plan must include: identification of areas needing protection, implementation measures, personnel and equipment, organization and coordination with local authorities, and hypothetical incident response plans.

2.2 Certificate Application Procedures:

1. Application Dossier: (Article 19 of Decree 96/2016/ND-CP)

• A written request for certificate issuance using the prescribed form;

• A valid copy of the registration documents, such as business registration, enterprise registration, investment registration, cooperative registration, or household business registration. If the document does not specify business lines, additional proof of business scope is required.

Documents related to fire prevention and fighting (FPF):

• FPF acceptance report (for establishments listed under Decree 136/2020/ND-CP);

• FPF safety inspection record (for non-acceptance listed establishments but still subject to regulations);

• Certain special businesses (e.g., security services, seal production, surveillance equipment) are exempt;

• If no warehouse is available, a warehouse lease agreement with guaranteed FPF must be provided;

• If explosive materials are used, documents proving fire-safe storage must be submitted.

Declaration of personal background or personnel form attached with a judicial record certificate for the security officer:

• For Vietnamese nationals: personal declaration and judicial record certificate (armed forces personnel need confirmation from their managing authority);

• For overseas Vietnamese or foreign nationals: personnel form with copies of passport, valid residence card/temporary residence/visa;

• If there are multiple legal representatives, documents apply to the person named on the Certificate.

2. Dossier Submission: (Article 23 of Decree 96/2016/ND-CP)

• Submit one set of application documents to the competent Police authority;

• If the business site has multiple industries under different police levels, submit to the highest competent police authority;

• If multiple businesses operate at the same location, each business must submit its own application;

• Branches or establishments outside the main address submit to the police of the location where they are situated.

Submission methods:

• Direct submission;

• Via public postal services;

• Through the National Public Service Portal or the Ministry of Public Security portal (excluding documents not eligible for online submission).

Processing time:

• Maximum 5 working days for new applications;

• Maximum 4 working days for replacements/renewals;

• In case of refusal, a written explanation must be issued within 4 working days from receipt.

Procedures may be carried out electronically in accordance with Decree 45/2020/ND-CP. Certain documents may be waived if electronic data-sharing systems are in place; the Ministry of Public Security will announce when this system is complete.

3. Fire Prevention and Fighting Standards

Fire safety measures must strictly comply with the following regulations: (Annex to Decree No. 50/2024/ND-CP)

3.1 Documentation for Fire Prevention and Control Activities:

(Article 4 of Circular 149/2020/TT-BCA, amended by Circular 32/2024/TT-BCA)

Establishments under police management must prepare and keep the following documents:

• Internal regulations, guidelines, and task assignments related to FPF;

• Fire safety design approval and acceptance documents;

• Site plans showing traffic, water sources, and functional areas;

• Decision to establish internal or specialized FPF teams (if required);

• FPF and rescue training certificates;

• Firefighting plans, training programs, and drill reports;

• FPF inspection records, recommendations, penalties, suspension/reinstatement decisions (if any), and safety change reports;

• Semi-annual reports;

• Fire, explosion, and incident reports (if any), and investigation results (if any);

• Fire safety business certification (for FPF service providers);

• Mandatory fire and explosion insurance certificate (if applicable);

• Lightning protection grounding inspection records, and pressure equipment inspection (if applicable).

Establishments under commune-level People’s Committee management must keep documents specified in Points 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 of Clause 1.

Responsibility: The establishment's head is responsible for updating and supplementing FPF monitoring records.

3.2 FPF Safety Conditions for Establishments:

(Article 5 of Decree 136/2020/ND-CP, amended by Decree 50/2024/ND-CP)

Establishments under police management must ensure:

• Fire safety regulations, signs, and layout maps meet standards;

• Trained in-house FPF teams ready to respond;

• Approved firefighting plans;

• Safe electrical, lightning protection, and heat sources;

• Adequate systems for transport, water supply, communication, fire alarms, extinguishing, evacuation, and rescue;

• Design approval and FPF acceptance documents.

Establishments under commune-level management must ensure:

• Conditions at Points 1, 3, 4 of Clause 1;

• Fire safety design and acceptance documents;

• Compliant technical systems and trained personnel with clear responsibilities.

4. Professional Human Resource Management

An effective human resource management system should ensure:

• Clear organizational structure with specific responsibilities;

• Transparent recruitment, hiring suitable personnel;

• Structured training and long-term capacity building;

• Regular performance evaluations and merit-based rewards;

• Attractive benefits and competitive compensation;

• A positive corporate culture;

• Application of technology in personnel data management.

5. Service Quality Control

To maintain high-quality services, resorts must:

• Conduct regular customer feedback surveys: To understand real experiences and expectations, enabling timely adjustments;

• Implement quality management systems (e.g., ISO 9001): To ensure service processes are monitored and improved to international standards;

• Conduct regular internal evaluations and monitor service delivery processes: To detect early errors and ensure consistent quality;

• Train staff on service standards and interpersonal skills: To enhance professionalism and effective service handling;

• Actively receive and promptly resolve customer feedback: To increase satisfaction and customer retention;

• Continuously improve services based on data and real experiences: To align with trends and meet evolving demands.
   

Conclusion

Full compliance with resort accommodation business standards not only ensures legal legitimacy but also forms a solid foundation for sustainable business development. In an increasingly competitive market, resorts that effectively meet these standards will hold a significant advantage.

Important Note:
Standards and regulations are subject to change over time. Resorts must regularly update and adjust to ensure compliance with the latest official requirements.

This article is for reference purposes only. Businesses are advised to consult official legal documents and seek professional guidance from Harley Miller Law Firm for the most accurate and up-to-date information.