The International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC) will take place in Ho Chi Minh City from August 27 to 29, 2026. This edition is set to be the largest ever held in the city, building on its growth from a regional fair between 2005 and 2010 into a major Asia-Pacific tourism industry event.
In its earliest years, ITE HCMC attracted about 210 exhibitors and brands, as well as 120 international buyers from 18 countries and territories. Over 3,200 pre-scheduled business-to-business meetings were held. The 2026 event expects more than 520 exhibitors and brands, 260 buyers representing over 40 countries and territories,
and upwards of 21,000 pre-arranged business appointments, marking significant expansion in all categories.
Hosted Buyers Programme and Communications Campaign
A key feature of the expo is the Hosted Buyers Programme, which selectively invites and fully funds qualified international buyers with strong potential for post-event commercial deals. This programme is unique in Vietnam. The municipal Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City, led by Director Pham Huy Binh, oversees a comprehensive integrated communications campaign before, during, and after the event. The International Media Programme includes global press agencies, trade magazines, content creators, key opinion leaders, and digital platforms, extending the expo’s reach and media impact. Destination
surveys and showcasing local tourism products are also key features.
Vietnam Airlines’ Support and Aviation Connectivity
Vietnam Airlines supports the expo by enhancing domestic and international air links. Deputy Director Le Chi Quan highlighted the airline’s organization of more than 50 outbound tourism survey trips abroad and roughly 20 inbound delegations from overseas, as well as approximately 20 tourism promotion and marketing events annually. The airline continues to expand its flight network, connecting major Vietnamese destinations with international markets to facilitate tourism linked to the expo.
Media Outreach and Destination Showcases
The International Media Programme amplifies the expo’s global reach through participation from worldwide press agencies, travel trade magazines, content creators,
key opinion leaders, and digital platforms from multiple countries. Exhibitors showcase new routes, products, demand-stimulus programs, special offers, One Commune One Product (OCOP) items, and local specialties. The event also features music shows, cultural exchanges, culinary showcases, and interactive experiences.
Event Scope and Tourism Ecosystem Participation
The 2026 expo will be held at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre and will include participation from all 34 Vietnamese cities and provinces. It gathers key players in travel, hospitality, aviation, transportation, and tourism technology sectors. C.I.S Vietnam Advertising & Exhibition JSC General Director Duong Tri Dung emphasized technology and AI reshaping tourism promotion and networking. The expo functions
as a forum for tourism cooperation, policy dialogue, knowledge sharing, and high-level diplomacy, with summits and networking sessions running parallel to trade activities.
