The 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2026) opened on August 27 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), running through August 29. The event is jointly organized by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism under the theme “Vibrant Connections – Global Destinations.” More than 520 exhibitors and 260 international buyers from over 40 countries and territories are participating.
International and Vietnamese Participants and Business Programme
The expo features participants from the Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Bhutan, St. Petersburg in Russia, and Nicaragua. Thirty-four Vietnamese provinces and cities, including
Da Nang, Hoi An, Mui Ne, Phu Quoc, Hanoi, Da Lat, Thanh Hoa, Hue, Quang Tri, My Trach, and Dong Ha, are represented, along with major businesses in travel, accommodation, aviation, transport, and tourism technology. The event has scheduled over 21,000 business-to-business appointments connecting international buyers with Vietnamese tourism enterprises.
Emerging Tourism Trends and Public Exhibitions
ITE HCMC 2026 highlights emerging tourism sectors such as green and digital tourism, waterway and metro tourism, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), medical tourism, and cultural and rural experiences. Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, along with tourism companies from Da Nang, Hoi An, Mui Ne, and Phu Quoc,
operate booths promoting travel products. The Vietnamese Embassy in Canada also took part, promoting Vietnam as a travel destination. The expo is open to the public from the afternoon of August 27 to August 29, showcasing tourism, cultural and culinary experiences, OCOP products, promotional programmes, and art performances.
Official Statements on Expo Development and Industry Goals
Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, said the 20th anniversary of ITE HCMC opens a new development stage focused on enhancing connection quality and cooperation beyond scale. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong noted the event’s evolution into an international travel
expo and annual meeting place for the tourism industry. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra emphasized tourism as a spearhead economic sector and highlighted MICE tourism’s role in attracting high-quality visitors and strengthening national competitiveness.
Infrastructure Upgrades and Regional Tourism Statistics
Da Nang International Airport’s Passenger Terminal T1 is undergoing a 9.9 trillion VND (approximately 379 million USD) expansion project to raise its annual capacity to 14 million passengers. Lam Dong Province recorded around 900,000 international visitors in the first seven months of 2026, marking a 15% year-on-year increase. International tourist-days in Lam Dong grew 18% to nearly 2.9 million during the same period.
Tourism Market Shifts and Regional Cooperation
Vietnam’s
tourism market is shifting toward authentic, locally rooted experiences and sustainable tourism models preferred by modern travelers. Joint regional tourism action plans for 2026–2028 emphasize connectivity, smart tourism, ecotourism, safety, and human resource development. Collaboration frameworks such as the CLMV countries and the ACMECS initiative support growing international visitor numbers and tourism revenue. Expedia data cited in the event highlights Phu Quoc as a premier destination for affordable luxury, featuring the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, the only Vietnamese hotel included by Travel + Leisure.
