The 20th edition of the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2026) will take place from August 27 to 29, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The event operates under the theme “Vibrant Connections – Global Destinations.”
Organisers and Key Participants
ITE HCMC 2026 is organised under the authority of Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City. Joint organisers include the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, with the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion
Center and C.I.S Vietnam Advertising & Exhibition Joint Stock Company supporting the event logistics and promotion.
Exhibitors, Buyers, and Business Matching
The event is expected to host more than 520 exhibitors alongside 260 high-level international buyers from regions including Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, and Oceania. A significant feature is the hosted buyers programme, unique within Vietnam, which has contributed to an eightfold increase in B2B appointments compared to the Expo’s early years.
There will be 21,000 scheduled B2B appointments, consisting of Buyers-Sellers Speed Dating on August 26 before the official opening and B2B Business Matching sessions on August 27 and 28. Besides,
pre- and post-tour activities are arranged for international buyers and media.
Ministerial Meetings and Tourism Forums
During the Expo, Ho Chi Minh City will concurrently host three Tourism Ministers’ Meetings related to Mekong subregional co-operation frameworks. On August 27, a Tourism Forum themed “Shaping the Future of MICE Tourism: Innovation, Sustainability and Global Connectivity” will convene government and tourism leaders along with representatives from international organisations and corporations.
International Organisations and Global Corporations
Participation from major global tourism bodies includes UN Tourism, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). Corporate entities such as Google, Mastercard, EuroCham, and the Korea
Tourism Organisation (KTO) will also be present.
Public Programmes and Thematic Workshops
The Expo will feature public-facing events with artistic performances, cultural exchanges, culinary experiences, and interactive activities engaging consumers. The wider programme consists of thematic workshops and presentations focused on emerging tourism trends like artificial intelligence, destination brand management, medical tourism, and tourism technology start-ups.
Event Significance and Growth
The 20th anniversary marks a growing maturity in scale and quality for ITE HCMC since its inception in 2005. Hosting the Mekong subregional Tourism Ministers’ Meetings alongside thematic forums signals the event’s enhanced role in shaping tourism development. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the
Expo reflects an expanded standing in the international tourism event landscape.
