Within the framework of the Viet Nam International Travel Mart 2026 – VITM 2026 in Ha Noi, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, in coordination with relevant units, held a press conference to introduce ITE HCMC 2026 on April 10.
According to the organisers, the event will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), located at 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, from August 27 to 29, alongside a series of side events at hotels, convention centres, and destinations across the city.
Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated that the theme of “Vibrant Connectivity” affirms a borderless tourism ecosystem where digital technology and artificial intelligence intertwine with heritage values, creating flexible, practical, and effective connections among authorities, businesses, and international partners.
Meanwhile, “Global Destination” reflects the commitment to elevating the position of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector, reinforcing the role of ITE HCMC as a reputable regional hub connecting visitor flows, tourism products, trends, and international cooperation opportunities.
Entering its 20th edition, ITE HCMC 2026 not only marks a milestone in the fair’s development journey but also underscores the growing prominence of Ho Chi Minh City and Viet Nam on the global tourism map. Beyond a conventional trade fair, the event is positioned as a leading international tourism promotion platform, bringing together policymakers, promotion agencies, enterprises, experts, media, and international buyers to create new value for the tourism industry amid a global shift towards green, smart, and sustainable development.
“With this year’s theme, we reaffirm the pioneering role of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector in leading the transition from ‘traditional tourism’ to a ‘green and digital tourism ecosystem’ that enhances international competitiveness. ITE HCMC 2026 is the strongest commitment to a proactive and integrated Viet Nam ready to break through and elevate its position on the future tourism map,” Le Truong Hien Hoa emphasised.
The event is expected to gather more than 520 exhibitors and 34 Vietnamese localities, along with 260 high-level international buyers from over 32 countries and territories (a 10% increase compared to 2025), and more than 30,000 visitors (up 15% year-on-year). It is projected to facilitate over 20,000 business matching sessions and direct exchanges between Vietnamese and international tourism enterprises.
As a leading hub of Viet Nam’s tourism industry, Ho Chi Minh City continues to proactively adjust its international market strategy towards diversification, improved adaptability, and enhanced economic efficiency. At the same time, it maintains MICE and high-end tourism segments to ensure stable industry performance.
The fair will also focus on strengthening cooperation with key markets such as Northeast Asia, Western Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and India — thereby helping localities and businesses expand partnership networks, improve visitor quality, and reinforce the position of Viet Nam, and Ho Chi Minh City in particular, as a dynamic destination in the region.
