The 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2026) opened on August 27, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC). The three-day event is jointly organised by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism under the theme “Vibrant Connections – Global Destinations.”
ITE HCMC 2026 hosts more than 520 exhibitors and over 260 international buyers from more than 40 countries and territories. Participants represent destinations including the Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, Russia’s St. Petersburg, and Nicaragua.
Vietnam is represented by tourism businesses
from 34 provinces and cities, including Da Nang, Hoi An, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is present alongside the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada, which promotes Vietnam as a travel destination. Sun Group’s JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort on Kem Beach is the only Vietnamese hotel featured among luxury properties.
Event Leadership Highlights Quality of Connections
Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said the 20th anniversary of ITE HCMC marks a new stage focused on enhancing quality of connections, cooperation, and value for partners beyond scale. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Ho An Phong noted the expo evolved from a trade promotion event into an international travel expo and annual tourism industry gathering.
International Buyers Program Drives 21,000+ Business Meetings
The international buyers programme features more than 260 buyers from over 40 countries and territories. Over 21,000 business-to-business appointments are scheduled, enabling Vietnamese tourism businesses to showcase products, secure partners, and expand to new markets.
Focus on Emerging Tourism Trends and Market Connectivity
ITE HCMC 2026 highlights trends including green and digital tourism, waterway and metro tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions), medical tourism, and cultural and rural experiences. It promotes stronger links among tourism management agencies, businesses, airlines, and service providers to position Ho Chi
Minh City and Vietnam’s destinations internationally and foster cross-border regional cooperation.
Public Access and Cultural Experiences
The expo is open to the public from the afternoon of August 27 through August 29, 2026. It features tourism, cultural, and culinary experiences; OCOP (One Commune One Product) products; promotional programmes; and live art performances, complementing its business activities.
Industry Context and Strategic Focus
The expo serves as Asia-Pacific’s forum for tourism cooperation, policy dialogue, and knowledge sharing. It aligns with Vietnam’s strategy to develop tourism as a spearhead economic sector and respond to shifts towards personalized, authentic, and environmentally sensitive tourism. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra promotes MICE as a
key strategic tourism product at the event.
