Official Vietnamese Inbound Tour Operator Licence – ETHOS Travel

Important for visitors:
In Vietnam, travelling with licensed tour operators helps ensure your stay remains legal, safe, and properly registered. This is especially important in rural, mountainous, and border regions where authorities may carry out routine checks.
ETHOS are an Inbound Tour Operator thus we are permitted to organise tours to all parts of Vietnam. 

A legitimate company should have details of its international operating licence and its ‘bond’ account number on its web site. Our licence code is 01- 799/2015/TCDL-GP LHQT. Our bond account is held by the Vietcombank: the account number is 10462070.

Why Working With Licensed Tour Operators Matters

Many visitors do not realise that immigration status, travel permissions, and even where you can stay or travel can be closely linked to licensed tourism services.

Licensed tour operators play an important role in helping travellers remain compliant with Vietnamese law, especially in mountain regions, border areas, and ethnic minority communities.

Travel in restricted and sensitive areas

In northern Vietnam, especially near the Chinese border, some villages, mountain passes, and rural districts are considered sensitive zones. In certain locations:

• Independent travel may be restricted

• Authorities may request identification checks

• Police may ask where you are staying and who you are travelling with

• Unregistered accommodation can create problems for visitors

Licensed operators work directly with local authorities and understand where travel is permitted. They also ensure that guests stay in registered homestays that correctly report foreign visitors to the local police system.

Protection from common visa-related mistakes

Many travellers unintentionally break immigration rules because of small errors such as:

• Entering on a tourist visa but participating in paid or organised work

• Staying in unregistered accommodation

• Not registering temporary residence

• Overstaying due to misunderstanding visa duration

• Using unofficial visa services that provide incorrect information

A licensed tour operator helps reduce these risks by guiding visitors towards legal accommodation, approved activities, and reliable information.

Safer support if problems arise

If a traveller faces a visa issue, lost passport, or police check, being connected to a registered tourism company can make a significant difference.

Licensed companies can:

• Help explain your travel plans to local authorities

• Confirm your itinerary and accommodation details

• Assist with communication and translation

• Direct you to the correct immigration offices

This kind of support can prevent small issues from becoming stressful situations.

Supporting responsible tourism

Working with licensed operators is not only about legality. It also helps ensure:

• Guides are properly trained and insured

• Communities are protected from unregulated tourism

• Visitors are travelling with permission in appropriate areas

• Tourism income is distributed responsibly

In regions like Sapa, responsible travel is closely connected to both legal compliance and community protection.