The International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) returned in its largest edition yet from August 27 to 29, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The expo featured more than 520 exhibitors and brands alongside 260 international buyers from over 40 countries and territories.
Since its inception in 2005, ITE HCMC has expanded markedly. Early editions between 2005 and 2010 hosted approximately 210 exhibitors, 120 international buyers from 18 countries, and about 3,200 pre-arranged B2B meetings. By 2026, these figures grew to over 21,000 scheduled business appointments, demonstrating significant growth
in the event’s scale and global connectivity.
Hosted Buyers Programme Drives International Deals
The expo’s Hosted Buyers Programme remains unique in Vietnam, selecting, inviting, and fully sponsoring qualified international buyers identified as having clear potential to finalize commercial deals during and after the event. This programme is managed by the municipal Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City and is integral to strengthening business outcomes of ITE HCMC.
Director Pham Huy Binh of the municipal Department of Tourism noted that integrated communications campaigns run before, during, and after the expo focus on key markets to increase the visibility and media value of participating localities and
enterprises.
Vietnam Airlines Expands Network and Promotion Around Expo
Vietnam Airlines actively supports ITE HCMC by expanding its domestic and international flight links. The airline has coordinated over 50 outbound tourism survey trips and about 20 inbound delegations connected to the expo. Additionally, Vietnam Airlines organized roughly 20 tourism promotion and marketing events tied to the event’s activities.
Le Chi Quan, Deputy Director of Vietnam Airlines Vietnam branch, stated the airline continuously tightens air connections year on year to support tourism development aligned with the expo’s schedule and objectives.
Technology and AI Reshape Tourism Networking at ITE HCMC
C.I.S Vietnam Advertising & Exhibition JSC, a key organiser of the expo, highlights the increasing use of technology and
artificial intelligence in tourism promotion and business networking. These tools facilitate online activations and enable targeted events beyond traditional face-to-face engagement.
The 2026 expo included cultural activities, culinary showcases, destination reveals, specialized summits, and networking sessions that reflect the diverse tourism ecosystem. These programmatic offerings connect travel promotion agencies, transport, hospitality, aviation, and tourism technology companies.
ITE HCMC Emerges as Asia-Pacific’s Leading Tourism Forum
Over its history, ITE HCMC has grown from a regional trade fair to the Asia-Pacific region’s leading platform for tourism cooperation, policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, and business promotion. High-level diplomatic events run alongside specialized summits, promoting innovation and policymaking integrated with commerce.
The event’s
International Media Programme engages global press, trade media, content creators, key opinion leaders, and digital platforms across multiple countries. This multi-platform strategy has expanded coverage and business matchmaking, strengthening Vietnam’s image as a key tourism destination.
All 34 Vietnamese cities and provinces participated in the 2026 expo, showcasing their destinations along with numerous international travel industry partners.
