The program of the 12th General Assembly of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO) includes multiple sessions and diverse activities:

• Session I of the 12th TPO General Assembly – Theme: Innovation for the Future of Sustainable Urban Tourism
  On September 3, 2025, Session I of the 12th TPO General Assembly will take place with the theme “Innovation for the Future of Sustainable Urban Tourism”, with the following agenda:

• Session II of the 12th TPO General Assembly – High-Level Tourism Forum with the theme: Shaping the Future of Tourism: Towards Digital Transformation and Green Transition
  On September 4, 2025, the High-Level Tourism Forum will be held under the theme “Shaping the Future of Tourism: Towards Digital Transformation and Green Transition”, focusing on discussions of digital and green transition solutions, enhancing competitiveness, expanding international cooperation, and promoting the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tourism sector and the region. The Forum will include two main discussion sessions:

Discussion Session 1: Overview of the role of digital transformation and green transition in Vietnam’s tourism development

Discussion Session 2: Solutions towards digital transformation and green transition in tourism

• Joint Promotion Program of TPO Member Cities
  On September 4, 2025, TPO will organize the Joint Promotion Program of TPO Member Cities.

At the opening, the TPO representative introduced the organization: TPO is an international organization established in 2002 and headquartered in Busan, Korea. In 2024, TPO officially expanded its scope from the Asia-Pacific region to cities worldwide and was renamed the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities. Currently, TPO has more than 131 city governments from 17 member countries, along with more than 56 private-sector partners. This extensive network forms a solid foundation for global cooperation in the field of tourism. TPO’s activities are guided by the PEC approach – Promotion, Expansion, and Cooperation. Through these strategies, TPO aims to empower cities and strengthen their global presence in the tourism sector.

The program continued with presentations from six beautiful cities in the TPO network (Busan, Sanya, Manjung, Pohang, Taichung, Ulsan). Each city shared its unique tourism resources and policies, sparking opportunities for cooperation and new inspiration.

• Meeting of Leaders of TPO Member Cities:
  On September 4, 2025, the Meeting of Leaders of TPO Member Cities took place with the following contents:
• Cultural and Artistic Exchange Program among TPO Member Cities
  On the evening of September 4, 2025, at Van Thanh Tourist Area | 48/10 Dien Bien Phu, Thanh My Tay Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; the Office of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; mayors and delegates from TPO member cities; representatives of Departments of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Departments of Tourism from provinces and cities participating in TPO attended the cultural and artistic exchange program among TPO members.

The program truly offered a colorful picture of music, fashion, and dance. A highlight was the presentation of the ao dai collection “Silk Singing Lotus” by designer Trung Dinh, with 16 designs – each telling a vivid story, expressing the elegance and vitality of the Lotus and Vietnamese culture.

Most impressive was the journey of exploring Eastern melodies through ensemble and solo performances from many countries (Vietnam, China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, USA, Mexico, Hungary, Spain, Russia), all played on Vietnamese traditional instruments. With interactions and exchanges with guests, the performance created a warm atmosphere filled with the spirit of international cultural exchange.

• Session III of the 12th TPO General Assembly – Theme: Integrating Digital Transformation and Green Transition: The Future of Sustainable Tourism
  On September 5, 2025, Session III of the 12th TPO General Assembly – Theme: Integrating Digital Transformation and Green Transition: The Future of Sustainable Tourismtook place with the following main contents:
• Plenary Session of the 12th TPO General Assembly
  On September 5, 2025, the Plenary Sessionof the 12th TPO General Assembly included the following main contents:

• Adoption of the Chair’s Declaration of the TPO General Assembly.
• TPO Activity Program for 2026.
• Host city of the TPO Forum: Ulsan.
• Host city of the 13th TPO General Assembly: Gimhae.
  • TPO Best Awards Ceremony during the Closing Gala
    On the evening of September 5, 2025, the General Assembly presented the TPO Best Awards to member cities for their efforts and achievements in 2024.

The TPO Best Awards were established to recognize innovative and sustainable tourism policies, as well as efforts to enhance the city brand value demonstrated by each city over the past year. The award-winning cities achieved outstanding results in their respective fields and serve as exemplary models for all TPO members.

1/ Tourism Marketing Award (honoring cities with effective marketing campaigns and programs):

• Taiping (Malaysia)with the “150th Anniversary of Taiping” Campaign.
  The campaign is a model of heritage-based tourism marketing, combining strong branding with global promotion and active community participation. Its success in attracting more than 1.2 million visitors highlights the event’s influence as both a cultural festival and a driver of sustainable tourism, demonstrating outstanding performance in delivering tangible results while celebrating cultural heritage on a global scale.
• Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)with the campaign “Find Your Vibes”.
  The campaign “Find Your Vibes” is a powerful and creative marketing initiative that successfully captured the city’s dual identity – both heritage and modern – while generating significant international recognition. Its key strengths lie in its creative storytelling, global reach, and strategic partnerships, representing a well-executed tourism marketing campaign that showcases the city’s unique identity on an international scale.
• Taichung (Taiwan)with the 2024 Lantern Festival.
  The festival is an outstanding example of large-scale cultural tourism marketing, with a creative dragon theme and strong community engagement, adding cultural depth and global appeal. Its strengths lie in attracting a significant number of tourists, achieving international awards, and contributing greatly to the local economy – a successful case of cultural tourism marketing that other destinations can learn from.

2/ Tourism Innovation Award (The Tourism Innovation Award honors creative ideas and pioneering initiatives that bring new energy to the tourism industry)

• Incheon with the “Incheon Easy Platform– The Beginning of Smart and Sustainable Tourism”
  The Incheon platform demonstrates a perfect integration of AI, AR/VR with local businesses and events, combining sustainable tourism with seamless visitor experiences. As the most downloaded tourism service platform nationwide and internationally recognized, Incheon Easy has successfully connected advanced technology with the local economy to deliver tangible benefits, showcasing outstanding technological integration aligned with current business and tourism needs.
• Ho Chi Minh City Destination Survey Program for TPO Delegates

HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM