HAI PHONG TOURISM ASSOCIATION

Regulations of Hai Phong Tourism Association

Chapter I: General Provisions

Article 1. Name and Legal Entity of the Association

1. The Association is named the "Hai Phong Tourism Association." Its business name is Hai Phong Tourism Association (abbreviated as: HATA).

2. The Hai Phong Tourism Association is a legal entity, has its own seal, and operates with a bank account.

3. The main office of the Association is located in Hai Phong city. The Association's logo is decided by the Executive Board.

Article 2. Objectives and Purposes of the Association

The Hai Phong Tourism Association is a voluntary organization for businesses, economic organizations, and individuals from all sectors in Vietnam, operating in tourism and related fields in Hai Phong.

The purpose of the Association is to gather and connect businesses to cooperate and support each other in business activities, stabilize the market, improve the quality of tourism products, enhance healthy competition between members, protect the legal rights and interests of members according to the law, and contribute to making Hai Phong a national tourism center, while promoting the city's socio-economic development.

Article 3. Scope of Activities of the Association

The Hai Phong Tourism Association operates within Hai Phong city in accordance with the laws of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and this Charter. The Association is under the state management of the Hai Phong Department of Tourism.

Chapter II: Responsibilities and Rights of Members

Article 4. Responsibilities of the Association

• General responsibilities:

  1. The Association operates according to the Charter approved by Hai Phong’s People's Committee and the relevant legal regulations.
  2. Complies with inspections and audits by competent state authorities as required by law.
  3. Performs accounting and statistical regulations, prepares financial reports as prescribed by law.
  4. Keeps records of financial documents, member lists, and meeting minutes.
  5. Annually submits reports on the organization's activities to the competent state authorities and publicly reports to the members.

• Specific responsibilities:

  1. Educates members on the Party's policies, the state’s guidelines, and the tourism development strategy of Hai Phong.
  2. Represents members to provide feedback to the state and city on policies and measures to develop tourism; protects the rights of members and the Association.
  3. Encourages creativity and cooperation among members to improve business practices, exchange experiences, and apply scientific and technological advances.
  4. Provides consulting services and supports member businesses to achieve sustainable growth.
  5. Collaborates with relevant organizations to fulfill the purposes of the Association.

Article 5. Rights of the Association

1. Organize conferences and workshops to exchange professional experiences and promote cooperation among members.
2. Establish and maintain business relations between member companies based on equality and mutual benefit.
3. Represent the members' views on issues related to tourism business to the government.
4. Organize tourism surveys, promote tourism both domestically and internationally, and represent the Association at fairs and exhibitions.
5. Expand membership and enhance the Association's relationships with both domestic and international organizations and individuals.
6. Collect membership fees, receive legal donations from domestic and international individuals or organizations.
7. Promote tourism and publicize Party and State policies and tourism industry regulations.
8. Exercise other rights prescribed by law.

Chapter III: MEMBERS

Article 6. Members

1. Official Members Organizations and individuals engaged in lawful business activities in tourism, tourism services, economic organizations, and educational institutions related to tourism activities in Hai Phong City, who agree with the Statute of the Association and voluntarily apply for membership, may be admitted or recognized as official members of the Association. The representative of the member must be an authorized person responsible for that representation. In case of authorization, the authorized person must have full authority and bear responsibility for the representation.

2. Associated Members Foreign-invested enterprises operating in tourism in Hai Phong, contributing to the development of the Association, agreeing with the Statute, voluntarily applying for membership, and paying membership fees, can become associated members of the Association.

3. Honorary Members Citizens, managers, scientists, technicians, and legal entities who are reputable, enthusiastic, and able to assist in the development of Hai Phong's tourism industry and the Association may be invited to become honorary members by the Executive Committee of the Association. Honorary and Associated members can participate in activities and attend the Association's Congress, but they do not have the right to vote or run for leadership positions.

Article 7. Procedures for Joining the Association Documents required for membership include:

• Membership application form (according to the template)
• Copy of the establishment decision and business license. The Executive Committee will notify the recognition of members within 15 days after receiving the complete documents as per the Statute.

Article 8. Rights of Members

1. Participate in the Congress and vote or run for leadership positions in the Association (excluding honorary and associated members).
2. Discuss, vote, and question the Association's activities; submit proposals and suggestions to the government through the Association.
3. Nominate, propose, and vote for members of the Executive Committee and other positions in the Association.
4. Receive professional development through information, documents, seminars, training courses, and domestic and international surveys.
5. Be supported by the Association in business activities within its powers and capabilities.
6. Be introduced to other organizations for signing contracts for services, technical expertise, and consulting.
7. Have their legitimate rights and interests protected in business operations.
8. Have the right to withdraw from the Association.

Article 9. Duties of Members

1. Strictly adhere to the State's policies and laws, and the Association’s Statute, implement the resolutions of the Association, and promote the development of new members. Protect the Association's reputation and not represent the Association in external relations without the Association's authority.
2. Participate in the activities and meetings of the Association, cooperate with other members to strengthen the organization.
3. Provide necessary information and data to support the Association’s activities.
4. Pay full membership fees and other required payments.
5. Notify the Executive Committee in writing about any changes in the organization's representative.
6. If the representative is retired or transferred, the member must appoint a new authorized representative.
7. Associated and honorary members are not required to pay membership fees but must pay the entrance fee.

Article 10. Termination of Membership

1. Members wishing to leave the Association must submit a written request to the Executive Committee.
2. A member may be expelled for violating the Statute of the Association.
3. A member will be removed from the Association's list if their business activities are suspended, dissolved, or declared bankrupt. If their activities are temporarily suspended, their membership rights will be reinstated when they resume business.
4. Members whose rights and obligations are terminated will be notified by the Executive Committee. They must fulfill their obligations up until the termination.

Chapter IV: ORGANIZATION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 11. Organization of the Association

1. General Assembly of Members
2. Executive Committee
3. Supervisory Board
4. Office and Specialized Committees
5. Branches and other organizations under the Association

Article 12. Principles of Organization and Operation The Hai Phong Tourism Association is organized and operates on principles of voluntarism, self-management, self-financing, and according to the Statute approved by the competent State authorities.

Article 13. General Assembly and Annual Member Conference

1. The General Assembly is the highest authority of the Association, held every 5 years. Its tasks include:

• Discussing reports on the previous term and setting new directions.
• Deciding on the program of work and proposing amendments to the Statute (if any).
• Discussing and approving the financial settlement of the previous year and the budget for the upcoming year.
• Deciding on the number of Vice Presidents and Executive Committee members.
• Electing the Executive Committee and Supervisory Board.

2. The Annual Member Conference, held once a year, will:

• Discuss the annual report and plan for the upcoming year.
• Approve the financial settlement and budget for the upcoming year.
• Discuss and vote on proposed matters by the Executive Committee, Supervisory Board, or members.
• Elect additional Supervisory Board members if needed.
• Can be called exceptionally to address urgent issues.

3. Resolutions of the General Assembly and Conference are passed by majority vote.
4. The General Assembly and Conference are valid when at least 50% of members are present.

Chapter V: FINANCE AND ASSETS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 19. Sources of Revenue for the Association

1. Membership registration fees.
2. Membership fees.
3. Donations from organizations and individuals, both domestic and foreign, in accordance with the law.
4. Other legal sources of income.

Article 20. Expenditures of the Association

Expenditures for all activities of the Association. The management and use of the Association's finances must comply with the Association's regulations and the current financial management laws.

Article 21. Management and Use of Financial Resources and Assets of the Association

1. The Executive Committee of the Association is responsible for defining the management and use of the Association's finances and assets, in line with the state's regulations.
2. The Supervisory Board is responsible for checking and reporting the financial status and assets to the members on an annual basis.

Chapter VI: REWARDS AND HANDLING VIOLATIONS

Article 22. Rewards

Members, Executive Committee members, Supervisory Board members, and staff who contribute significantly to the development of the Association and the tourism industry of the city will be rewarded by the Association or proposed for state rewards by the relevant authorities.

Article 23. Handling Violations

Any member who violates the Statute, resolutions of the Association, or the law, damages the reputation or honor of the Association, repeatedly misses regular meetings without valid reasons, or fails to pay membership fees for a year, will be dealt with according to the nature and severity of the violation. Actions can include reprimands, warnings, censure, or removal from the Association's membership list.

Chapter VII: DISSOLUTION OF THE ASSOCIATION

Article 24. Dissolution of the Association

The Association may dissolve itself or be dissolved in cases of violations as outlined in Articles 25 and 28 of Decree No. 88/2003/ND-CP dated July 30, 2003, by the Government on the organization, operation, and management of associations. The resolution of the Association’s financial and asset matters upon dissolution will be carried out in accordance with Article 30 of Decree No. 88/2003/ND-CP.

Chapter VIII: IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 25. Only the General Assembly of the Hai Phong Tourism Association has the authority to amend or supplement this Statute, subject to approval by the competent authorities.

Article 26. This Statute consists of 08 chapters and 26 articles, approved by the General Assembly of the Hai Phong Tourism Association in February 2023, and comes into effect after approval by the People's Committee of Hai Phong City.

HAI PHONG TOURISM ASSOCIATION