With less than three weeks to go before its opening, the 20th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2026) has completed preparations and is ready to welcome its largest edition since its inception in 2005. 

This year, ITE HCMC commemorates two decades of growth and development, reaffirming its position as one of Vietnam’s leading platforms for international tourism trade promotion and cooperation.

Slated for the 27th to 29th August at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), this year’s event stands to be its biggest edition to date as it continues to support Vietnam’s global integration and international destination promotion strategies.

ITE HCMC 2026 is jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, together with the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Centre, CIS Vietnam Advertising & Exhibition Joint Stock Company, and other relevant agencies and organizations directly involved in its implementation.

Vibrant connections to global destinations

Under the theme Vibrant Connections, Global Destinations, the Expo brings together over 520 exhibitors and brands from 34 provinces and cities, as well as 260 high-level international buyers from more than 40 countries and territories.

Per current numbers, organisers are set to open the doors to around 600 international delegates, 50 high-level delegations, more than 21,000 pre-scheduled B2B appointments, around 30,000 visitors, and 60 international media outlets.

This landmark 20th anniversary also marks the most significant expansion in the Expo’s history, as the number of B2B appointments has increased by more than eightfold compared to the numbers from its early years.

This essentially underscores the growing appeal and effectiveness of ITE HCMC as a business networking platform for the domestic and international tourism community.

A platform for collaboration

Beyond its expanding scale, ITE HCMC has generated tangible opportunities for collaboration, serving as a catalyst for new tourism linkages and products, cooperation agreements and investment opportunities, thereby contributing to the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism industry.

A notable milestone in the development of ITE HCMC 2026 is its strong implementation of the policy of mobilising social resources and leveraging the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in event organization.

In line with this direction, the Expo has strengthened engagement with and mobilised support from businesses, airlines, organizations and partners both domestically and internationally. 

These partnerships have provided additional resources for the organization of the Expo while enhancing the quality of B2B networking, international buyer hosting and professional programs.

The collective support of the business community not only contributes to the success of ITE HCMC 2026, but also demonstrates the Expo’s broader role in connecting and mobilizing resources across society, while driving the development of tourism in Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.