A foreigner takes a photo with two girls from Hue at the Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue City. Entrance fees to relic sites in Vietnam will apply uniformly for both Vietnamese and foreigners, starting from January 13, 2020. (Photo: Le Anh Thi)

 

It is one among the new regulations set in Circular 85/2019/TT-BTC, issued by the Ministry of Finance on collection of fees and charges under the deciding competence of the People's Councils of centrally-run provinces and cities.

 

The circular states that, based on socio-economic conditions, scale and form of sightseeing activities of each scenic spot, historical relics, cultural works and museums, provinces and cities can determine appropriate fee levels, but must ensure that the rates are uniformly applied to both Vietnamese and foreigners.

 

For scenic spots, historical monuments, cultural constructions and museums recognised by the UNESCO as a world cultural and natural heritage site, the charge norm is equal to or higher than the entrance fees for other scenic places, historical monuments, cultural works and museums.

 

Exemption and reduction of fees are applied for children, those who enjoy preferential policies for cultural enjoyment, people with disabilities and elderly people, according to regulations under the current laws.

 

In addition to entrance fees for relic sites, the circular also stipulates a list of fees and charges under the authority of the provincial and municipal People's Councils, including a fee for temporary use of road beds and pavements, resident registration fee, fee for granting identity cards (for activities carried out by local agencies), civil status fee, fee for granting work permits to foreigners working in Vietnam (for permits granted by local agencies), fee for granting certificates of land use rights, ownership of houses and properties attached to land, fee for granting construction permits and business registration fee.