The 20th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2026) took place from August 27 to 29, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The event marked the largest edition in the expo’s 20-year history, hosting approximately 1,200 exhibitors and attracting close to 48,000 visitors, solidifying ITE HCMC’s position as Vietnam’s leading annual international travel expo.
Theme and Key Discussions at ITE HCMC 2026
Held under the theme “Vibrant Connections – Global Destinations,” the expo featured over 21,000 business-to-business meetings. The program covered topics including meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, sustainability, destination branding, technology and artificial
intelligence, medical tourism, innovation, and international market connectivity. The High-Level Tourism Forum on MICE tourism attracted more than 400 government, industry, and business representatives, including Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra, to explore practical opportunities for Vietnam’s tourism growth.
Regional Cooperation and Tourism Diplomacy Efforts
During ITE HCMC 2026, Ho Chi Minh City hosted simultaneous tourism ministerial meetings for the CLV, ACMECS, and CLMV subregional groups, along with their Senior Officials’ Meetings. These gatherings focused on enhancing regional connectivity, sustainable tourism development, and market cooperation in the Mekong subregion. Bilateral meetings involved the Cambodian Minister of Tourism’s delegation, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA),
the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), and Qingdao Airlines, discussing institutional partnerships and destination promotion.
Familiarization Trips and Public Engagement
More than 400 ministers, mayors, international buyers, media representatives, and content creators participated in 16 familiarization and press trip itineraries. These introduced cultural, heritage, culinary, urban, resort, golf, green, and ecological tourism experiences in Ho Chi Minh City and nearby destinations. The public program incorporated tourism products, travel offers, regional cuisine, OCOP products, and cultural performances to stimulate travel demand and provide tourism businesses with direct consumer engagement.
Organization and Outlook for ITE HCMC 2027
ITE HCMC is directed by the Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports
and Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, jointly organized by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism. Event implementation is managed by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center and C.I.S Vietnam Advertising & Exhibition Joint Stock Company. The 21st edition of ITE HCMC is scheduled for September 9 to 11, 2027, at the same venue, continuing to connect international travel businesses with Vietnamese destinations.
