ITE HCMC 2026 is scheduled for August 27 to 29, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The event plans to host more than 520 exhibitors and brands alongside 260 international buyers representing over 40 countries and territories. Organizers expect to facilitate over 21,000 pre-arranged business-to-business meetings during the three-day expo.
Since its inception, ITE HCMC has shown considerable growth. Between 2005 and 2010, the event attracted about 210 exhibitors and brands and 120 international buyers from 18 countries and territories, generating over 3,200 pre-scheduled B2B meetings. The expansion to 2026, where the
number of meetings alone approaches a sevenfold increase, reflects the event’s rising importance as a major tourism trade platform in the Asia-Pacific region.
Hosted Buyers Programme Drives Business Matches
The municipal Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City manages the Hosted Buyers Programme, which continues to be a key feature of the expo. This programme uniquely selects, invites, and fully sponsors qualified international buyers with strong potential to finalize commercial deals during or immediately after the event. The department emphasized this remains the only such sponsorship model in Vietnam aimed at maximizing deal closures post-expo.
Vietnam Airlines Expands Aviation-Tourism Links
Vietnam Airlines has been a steadfast supporter of ITE HCMC,
intensifying both domestic and international air link expansions each year. From the previous editions, the carrier has conducted more than 50 outbound tourism survey trips internationally and approximately 20 inbound delegations into Vietnam. These efforts accompany about 20 tourism promotion and marketing events directly linked to the expo, underscoring Vietnam Airlines’ role in integrating aviation connectivity and tourism development.
Integrated Communications and Global Media Engagement
Organizers have implemented an integrated communications campaign targeting key markets before, during, and after ITE HCMC 2026 to enhance media exposure for participating localities and enterprises. The International Media Programme engages numerous global press agencies, trade publications, content creators, key opinion
leaders, and digital platforms from various countries. This multi-platform strategy aims to raise Vietnam’s tourism profile worldwide, fueling business partnerships and increasing the event’s regional stature.
Broad Tourism Ecosystem and Cultural Activities
ITE HCMC 2026 will bring together all 34 cities and provinces of Vietnam, tourism promotion agencies from various countries and territories, and leading travel, hospitality, aviation, transport, and tourism technology companies. Participants are set to introduce new routes, products, services, demand-stimulus programs, and local specialties, including One Commune One Product items. The event will also host seminars, destination reveals, and networking sessions alongside cultural and interactive programs such as music events and culinary showcases.
The growing use of technology and artificial intelligence is becoming integral to tourism promotion at ITE HCMC. C.I.S Vietnam Advertising & Exhibition JSC, the event’s organizer, notes the shift from traditional networking to technology-driven outreach involving online activations and highly targeted engagement methods, enhancing the effectiveness of promotional activities.
