Nearly 48,000 visitors and participants attended the 20th edition of the International Travel Expo (ITE) Ho Chi Minh City from August 27 to 29, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center. This turnout marked the highest attendance recorded in the event’s history, according to Focus on Travel News.
Exhibitor Participation and Business Meetings
The event featured more than 520 exhibitors and tourism brands displayed across 410 booths. Organisers logged upwards of 21,000 business-to-business meetings connecting international buyers with exhibitors, showcasing the expo’s growing business engagement.
Among the attendees were 309 international senior buyers, media representatives, content creators, and media partners representing 32 countries and
territories. Over 50 multinational companies, tourism businesses, and global meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) organisations participated.
Destinations and Vietnamese Provincial Involvement
Exhibitor destinations included Portugal, Bhutan, Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Japan, Thailand, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, and Italy. On the domestic front, 34 Vietnamese provinces and cities took part, with 26 maintaining active exhibition booths at the expo.
Simultaneous Mekong Sub-Region Ministerial Meetings
For the first time, ITE HCMC coincided with three Mekong sub-region tourism ministerial meetings held in Ho Chi Minh City. The Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Tourism Ministers’ Meeting convened on August 26, focusing on tourism product development and market connectivity. On August 27, the
7th ACMECS and 8th CLMV Tourism Ministers’ Meetings addressed destination connectivity, sustainable tourism, and regional cooperation.
Senior officials’ meetings resulted in joint agreements, strategic frameworks, and action plans for enhanced cooperation in the region.
Bilateral Engagements During Expo
City and tourism authorities conducted bilateral meetings with Cambodian tourism officials, as well as representatives from the International Congress and Convention Association, Pacific Asia Travel Association, Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and Qingdao Airlines during ITE HCMC.
Forums, Speakers, and Attendance
The expo hosted 15 forums, conferences, and specialist seminars featuring 26 international and 25 Vietnamese speakers and experts. These sessions attracted over 1,100 physical attendees and 8,500 online viewers across
multiple topics including sustainability, technology, artificial intelligence, medical tourism, destination branding, and international market connectivity.
A dedicated MICE tourism forum gathered more than 400 delegates to discuss sustainability, policy, public-private partnerships, and technology adoption.
Startup Innovation and Global Tourism Investment
ITE HCMC expanded its startup focus with the Global Tourism Innovation Startup Investment and Connection Day, involving 14 startups—six from Vietnam and eight from South Korea. These startups specialise in artificial intelligence and tourism technology.
Cultural Itineraries and Target Markets
More than 400 participants joined 16 familiarisation and press itineraries highlighting attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, cultural performances, local cuisine, heritage activities, resorts, golf, and green tourism. These programs targeted
markets such as the United States, Russia, the UAE, China, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
New Heritage and Ecological Route
A new itinerary linked Ho Chi Minh City with Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta, showcasing ecological tourism and Khmer cultural heritage through local experiences.
Next Edition Scheduled
ITE Ho Chi Minh City is set to return in September 2027.
