PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A BUSINESS LICENSE FOR KARAOKE AND DANCE HALL SERVICES FROM DECEMBER 11, 2024

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Operating karaoke and dance hall services is a highly lucrative field that garners significant attention. So, what is the process for obtaining a business license for these services? Let OTIS LAWYERS guide you through the steps in this article.

Authority to Issue Business Licenses for Karaoke and Dance Hall Services

According to Clause 4, Article 1 of Decree 148/2024/ND-CP:
 “Authority for issuance, modification, and revocation of business licenses for karaoke or dance hall services:

  1. The Provincial People’s Committee is authorized to issue, modify, and revoke business licenses for karaoke and dance hall services (hereinafter referred to as ‘Business License’).
  2. The Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism or the Department of Culture and Sports shall receive and manage license applications and related documents within the licensing authority of the Provincial People’s Committee.
  3. Delegation and decentralization of licensing, modification, and revocation procedures must comply with laws governing local government organization.”

Accordingly, the Provincial People’s Committee has the authority to issue business licenses for dance hall services. Delegation and decentralization of licensing, modification, and revocation procedures must align with legal provisions of local government organization.

Conditions for Obtaining a Karaoke or Dance Hall Business License

Pursuant to Articles 4 and 5 of Decree 54/2019/ND-CP, as amended and supplemented by Article 1 of Decree 148/2024/ND-CP, individuals or businesses may operate karaoke or dance hall services if the following conditions are met:

Conditions for Karaoke Services:

  • The operator must be a legally established business or household business.
  • Compliance with fire safety and public security requirements as prescribed in:
    • Decree 96/2016/ND-CP;
    • Decree 56/2023/ND-CP.
  • Each karaoke room must have a usable area of at least 20m², excluding ancillary structures.
  • Doors of karaoke rooms must not be equipped with internal locks or alarm devices (except for fire alarm systems).

Conditions for Dance Hall Services:

  • The operator must be a legally established business or household business.
  • Compliance with fire safety and public security requirements as prescribed in:
    • Decree 96/2016/ND-CP;
    • Decree 56/2023/ND-CP.
  • Each dance hall must have a usable area of at least 80m², excluding ancillary structures.
  • Doors of dance halls must not be equipped with internal locks or alarm devices (except for fire alarm systems).
  • Business locations must be at least 200m away from schools, hospitals, religious establishments, or cultural-historical sites.

Procedures for Applying for a Karaoke or Dance Hall Business License

Clause 5, Article 1 of Decree 148/2024/ND-CP amends Article 11 of Decree 54/2019/ND-CP regarding the procedure for license issuance:

Step 1: Submit the Application

Businesses or household businesses must submit one set of documents directly, by post, or electronically to the relevant licensing authority.

  • If the application is incomplete, the licensing authority will notify the applicant within one working day to request corrections.

Step 2: Application Review and Inspection

  • If the application is complete, the licensing authority will review it within three working days and establish an inspection team to evaluate the conditions for issuance.
  • The inspection team, comprising no more than seven members from relevant authorities (e.g., Police, Culture, Construction), must issue an inspection report within four working days.

Step 3: Issuance of the License

  • Within three working days of receiving the inspection report, the licensing authority must issue or refuse the license, providing written reasons in case of refusal.
  • The licensing authority will:
    • Send a copy of the license to relevant parties, including the applicant, local police, and the business registration authority.
    • Publish the license information on its official website.

Fees for License Issuance

  • In centrally administered cities or provincial towns/cities: VND 15,000,000/license.
  • In other areas: VND 10,000,000/license.

Responsibilities of Karaoke and Dance Hall Operators

Operators must comply with the responsibilities outlined in Articles 6, 7, and 8 of Decree 54/2019/ND-CP, as amended by Decree 148/2024/ND-CP, including:

  • Labor law compliance and provision of uniforms and name badges for employees.
  • Soundproofing and noise compliance as per national standards.
  • Adherence to regulations on alcohol sales, environmental protection, food safety, copyright, labor contracts, and social issues.
  • Compliance with performance-related legal requirements (e.g., Decree 144/2020/ND-CP).

Additional Requirements for Karaoke Operators:

  • Display culturally appropriate visuals corresponding to song lyrics.
  • Operating hours: 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM.

Additional Requirements for Dance Hall Operators:

  • Operating hours: 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM.
  • Prohibition of services for individuals under 18 years old.
  • Compliance with performance-related legal requirements.

For any questions or comments, please contact:
OTIS AND PARTNERS LAW FIRM
Office address: 2nd Floor, CT3 Building, Yen Hoa Park View Urban Area, No. 3 Vu Pham Ham Street, Yen Hoa Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi
Email: [email protected]
Hotline: (+84)987748111

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