The ITE HCMC 2026 Tourism Forum convened in early September 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing 300 delegates. The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee as part of the 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2026).
Leadership and Thematic Focus of ITE HCMC 2026 Tourism Forum
The high-level Forum was chaired and moderated by Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, Minister of Tourism Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, and Vice-Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha. The event’s theme
was “MICE Tourism in the New Era: Sustainability – Connectivity – Opportunity.” It brought together government officials, ASEAN tourism ministers, diplomatic representatives, and industry experts from Vietnam and abroad.
Discussions on Industry Challenges and Sustainable Development
Panel discussions concentrated on major transformations in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, emphasizing sustainable development, adoption of new technologies, and enhancement of policy and public-private cooperation frameworks. The forum aimed at identifying actionable solutions to increase Vietnam’s competitive edge as a premier MICE destination in Southeast Asia and the Mekong sub-region.
Vietnam’s Government Sets Ambitious MICE Industry Goals
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra stated that Vietnam seeks to move beyond hosting major events
and position itself as a proactive architect in shaping the global MICE industry, focusing on environmental sustainability, innovation, and smarter operations. She also advocated moving away from fragmented regional competition toward collaborative ecosystem building within Southeast Asia and the Mekong sub-region.
Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh urged relevant ministries, sectors, and local authorities to concentrate on four key priorities to support MICE sector growth. Both leaders underscored the importance of converting forum discussions into concrete policies and practical programs. The deputy prime minister closed the forum emphasizing collective advancement by stating, “If we want to go far, we must go
together; if we want to reach greater heights, we must rise together.”
The 20th edition of ITE HCMC was held from August 27 to 29, 2026. The event included over 500 businesses and brands representing more than 45 countries and territories, along with participation from 34 provinces and cities throughout Vietnam, reinforcing the country’s role as a significant hub for international tourism and business events.
