Ho Chi Minh City, 15 August 2023 – The 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2023 (ITE HCMC 2023) will return to Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, for 3 days from 07 to 09 September 2023. Centered around the theme of “Connectivity, Growth, Sustainability”, ITE HCMC 2023 is anticipated to contribute innovative solutions to help Vietnam’s tourism accelerate, develop sustainably, and promote the beautiful image of Vietnam and its people to friends around the world.

International visitors to Vietnam increased sharply

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the country welcomed over 1.04 million international visitors in July 2023, an increase of 6.5% compared to that in June. Since the start of 2023, this is the first month that welcomed more than one million international visitors. Seven months of 2023 has witnessed nearly 6.6 million international arrivals to Vietnam, or 83% of the target for 2023.

The sharp increase in the number of international visitors to Vietnam during the off-season is viewed as a positive sign for the country’s tourism industry, which has implemented a series of policies in recent years to remove obstacles. Typically, the Government has issued Resolution 82 by May 5 regarding solutions to accelerate recovery and the growth of sustainable tourism. In June, the National Assembly also passed a bill amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, expanding the e-visa period to 90 days.

In addition, it is necessary to acknowledge the efforts and agility of tourism promotion agencies across the country. Tourism enterprises… have coordinated a number of activities to attract visitors, such as organizing promotional and advertorial programs in key markets and developing a number of unique and attractive tourism products.

In this context, the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2023 (ITE HCMC 2023) is anticipated to be a game-changer in terms of boosting the international tourist markets. The event will be centered on communicating with target markets and providing solutions and initiatives to effectively and sustainably promote Vietnam’s tourism. 

ITE HCMC 2023: Seizing opportunities and accelerating development

The 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC 2023) theme will be “Connectivity, Growth, and Sustainability.” It is anticipated that tens of thousands of visitors, international buyers, and exhibitors will attend in the new phase to exchange information and explore opportunities for innovation, following the implementation of Government Resolution No. 82 on major tasks and solutions to accelerate the recovery and development of effective and sustainable tourism and Government Resolution No. 127 on e-visas for international arrivals.

ITE HCMC 2023 is regarded as an essential event for promoting the image of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City to domestic and international tourists. Connecting travel and tourism businesses can improve supply and demand. The fair is expected to attract more than 400 exhibitors and brands, such as International Tourism Promotion Agencies, Departments and Tourism Promotion Centers, Local tourism associations, tour operators, travel agencies, accommodation establishments, airlines, and transport units, attributed by the doubled expo area and number of booths compared to 2022. 70% of the aforementioned numbers are from the domestic market players while 30% are expected to feature international counterparts.

Up to now, the fair also recorded the number of booths registered to attend up to more than 400 exhibiting companies and brands, including more than 370 exhibiting companies and brands from domestic units, 30 exhibiting companies and brands from international units with the participation of tourism promotion agencies of countries such as Cambodia,  Chile, Taiwan (China), Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Japan, Philippines, Thailand; Tourism promotion agencies of international localities: St.Peteburg City (Russian Federation) and Seoul (South Korea) and more than 46 provinces of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong; An Giang, Bac Lieu,  Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Ca Mau, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Tinh, Kien Giang, Kontum, Khanh Hoa, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Lam Dong, Long An, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh,  Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Tay Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Vinh Long, Yen Bai, certainly bring a successful fair in terms of expertise and scale.

ITE HCM also hosts the exclusive International Buyers Program, providing ample opportunities for international tourism companies that wish to expand their markets, attract tourists to Vietnam, and seek tourism partners in Vietnam and the Mekong Delta region in the near future. ITE HCMC 2023 facilitates registration by 550+ international tourism enterprises. After reviewing and selecting with the consultation of Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Emirates, European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and the Advisory Board,  The Organizing Committee has selected and invited over 150 international buyers from more than 31 countries and territories, namely USA, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, Taiwan (China), Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Malaysia, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, Austria, Croatia,  Romania, Armenia, Russia, India, Turkey, South Africa and GCC Countries (Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia). Thereby, the ITE HCMC 2023 promises to open more than 6,000 B2B trade appointments between buyers and exhibitors.

The news on the expo is covered by more than 50 domestic media partners and 20 international press units and KOLs from 8 countries: USA, Australia, Spain, Portugal, China, Turkey, Philippines, and Malaysia.

“The modifications in Vietnam’s visa policies have facilitated international tourists. However, this is only a prerequisite; for tourism in Vietnam to become more appealing and create a stronger draw for international markets, additional synchronous solutions are required. Specifically, the 17th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City will promote commercial activities to connect with key tourism markets and expand new markets. In addition, offering solutions to create and renew tourism products in a longer-term direction to meet the needs of high-affordable, long-stay guests; professionalizing tourism promotion; and enhancing destination management efficiency… With large-scale and diligent investment, it is hoped that Vietnam’s tourism will quickly achieve its mark, develop with focus, and contribute to making tourism a key economic sector, bringing Vietnam into the top 30 nations for tourism competitiveness”, said Mr.  Le Truong Hien Hoa – Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.

The event is implemented under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, organized by Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, executed by Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, in collaboration with CIS Vietnam JSC and Le Bros Company.

ITE HCMC 2023 is honored to receive the companionship of Sponsors, including:

• Official Airline – Diamond Sponsor: Vietnam Airlines.
• Diamond Sponsor: Saigontourist Group.
• Official Partners: GEM Center, Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Airports Corporation of Vietnam – Joint Stock Company (ACV), Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel, European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam.
• Partner Airlines: Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, China Southern Airlines, Emirates.
• Partner Hotels: Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon.
• Media Partners: Goldsun Media Group, Wanderlust Magazine.
• Transportation Partner: Grab Vietnam.
• Gift Partners: BluSaigon, The CoCoon Vietnam.

Information & Events:

Exhibition Day:

09h00 – 16h00, 07 – 08 September 2023: Open for trade visitors.

16h00 – 18h00, 07 – 08 September 2023: Open for trade & public visitors.

09h00 – 18h00, 09 September 2023: Open for public visitors.

Venue: Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) – 799 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Highlight Events:

• ITE HCMC 2023 Cutting Ribbon Ceremony  
• Buyers – Sellers B2B Meetings

• The High-level Tourism Forum themed “Digital transformation promotes tourism development” chaired by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City.
• ASEAN Public Relations and Communications Forum: “Destination Marketing & Sustainable Communication”
• Tourism seminar series
• ITE HCMC Award 2023
• World Travel Awards – Asia Pacific
• ASEAN PR Excellence Awards 2023
• Vietnam Night
• Cambodia Night
• Welcome Ceremony for International Buyers and Press
• ITE HCMC 2023 Thank You Party      

For more information about ITE HCMC 2023, please visit website www.itehcmc.travel./.