THE 20-YEAR JOURNEY OF INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL EXPO HO CHI MINH CITY (ITE HCMC)
TWO DECADES OF BREAKTHROUGHS AND ASPIRATIONS TO REACH FURTHER
The 20-year journey of ITE HCMC (International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City) is not only the story of a trade event but also a series of milestones marking the determined rise and breakthroughs of Vietnam’s tourism industry, in general, and Ho Chi Minh City, in particular, on the world map.
Booth activities at ITE HCMC 2025
Let’s take a look back on these two impressive decades through the following phases:
The initial phase: The first steps (2005 – 2010)
Formed around the idea of creating a professional tourism trading platform in the Lower Mekong region, ITE HCMC was modest in scale in its early years, with the mission of connecting three countries — Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia — under the message “3 countries – 1 destination”. Even so, it made its mark by attracting the attention of international travel companies thanks to its authenticity and the distinctive potential of local culture.
The breakthrough phase: Affirming regional standing (2011 – 2019)
This was the period when ITE HCMC expanded significantly in both scale and influence through broader regional linkages: from “3 countries” upgraded to “5 countries – 1 destination” (with the addition of Thailand and Myanmar), to digital transformation through the application of the Online Appointment Scheduler, making B2B (Business-to-Business) networking as professional as at major trade fairs around the world.
This was also the phase in which ITE HCMC became the only international tourism event in Vietnam with a Hosted Buyer program, attracting hundreds of major travel companies from key markets such as Europe, the Americas, and Northeast Asia.
The challenging phase: The Covid-19 pandemic period (2020 – 2022)
When the whole world came to a standstill due to COVID-19, ITE HCMC demonstrated its vitality.
- ITE HCMC 2021: For the first time, it was held entirely in a virtual format (Virtual Show), maintaining connections between Vietnam’s tourism industry and international friends even as borders remained closed.
- ITE HCMC 2022: ITE HCMC was restarted under the theme “Growing Forward Together”, marking the strong revival of Vietnam’s tourism industry after the pandemic.
The journey toward the 20th milestone (2023 – 2026)
Today, ITE HCMC has grown into a symbol of innovation and sustainable development.
- The 18th ITE HCMC in 2024: With the theme “Sustainable Tourism – Creating the Future”, the expo was promoted directly on CNN for the first time, affirming its global stature.
- The 19th ITE HCMC in 2025: With a theme that left a strong mark through more than 20,000 trade appointments and coordinated organization alongside a series of multi-sector events connecting Sourcing, Export, and Tourism, the event positioned Ho Chi Minh City as a dynamic economic and tourism hub. It was also the first time ITE HCMC was organized within the newly expanded tourism space of Ho Chi Minh City, following the administrative boundary merger.
- The 20th ITE HCMC in 2026 marks a golden milestone of 20 years of growth and maturity, with exhibition space and activities organized on a larger scale and in a more professional manner under the theme “Vibrant Connections, Global Destinations.”
The 20 editions of ITE HCMC are proof of Ho Chi Minh City’s spirit of “dynamism and creativity.” From a small-scale event, ITE has now become the most important gateway for bringing international tourists to Vietnam and helping Vietnamese businesses reach the world.
The 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2026 (ITE HCMC 2026) will be held from August 26 to August 29, 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, as well as at hotels, restaurants, conference centers, tourism sites, and destinations across the city.
Marking the 20-year journey of the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City, ITE HCMC 2026 aims to further affirm International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City as one of the leading, prestigious, and high-quality annual international tourism fairs in Vietnam and the Asian region.
Register your booth at ITE HCMC 2026 today
In the context of a rapidly shifting tourism market, timely presence will be the best opportunity. Renting a booth at the 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2026) not only helps businesses appear at one of Vietnam’s largest and most prestigious international tourism events but also opens up opportunities to meet the right partners, promote to the right customers, and expand into the right markets.
Register your booth at the 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2026) today to secure a prime location, optimize networking opportunities, and accelerate business growth in the new tourism season.
Registration and contact information for the ITE HCMC 2026 Organizing Committee
Website: www.itehcmc.travel
Email: info@itehcmc.travel
Fanpage: ITE HCMC
Hotline: +84 913 056 968
