The 12th TPO General Assembly took place in Ho Chi Minh City from September 3-6, 2025, gathering more than 131 cities and member organizations from across the Asia-Pacific region.
The event focused on discussing future tourism trends, emphasizing digital transformation, green transformation, and sustainable urban development. It also aimed to enhance regional cooperation through high-level tourism forums and specialized conferences. Additionally, the TPO Best Awards honored outstanding contributions to the tourism industry.
1. TPO 12th General Assembly – A Global-Scale Tourism Event
The Tourism Promotion Organization for Asia Pacific Cities (TPO) was established in 2002 and is headquartered in Busan, South Korea. In 2024, the organization officially expanded to a global scope, marking a new milestone in international tourism cooperation.
The 12th TPO General Assembly, held in Ho Chi Minh City from September 3-5, 2025, was a key highlight of ITE HCMC 2025, showcasing the city’s strong commitment to international tourism integration.
The event gathered:
- Over 131 cities
- 56 private sector partners from the tourism industry
- Hundreds of delegates, including leaders, experts, and top tourism businesses
With its mission of “Promotion – Expansion – Cooperation,” TPO aims to build a strong collaborative network, promote sustainable tourism development, and enhance the global standing of member cities.
2. High-Level Tourism Forum – Discussions on Digital and Green Transformation
On September 4, 2025, the High-Level Tourism Forum took place with the theme:
“Shaping the Future of Tourism: Towards Digital and Green Transformation.”
The forum focused on two main sessions:
- Session 1: The role and trends of digital and green transformation in the tourism development of Ho Chi Minh City and other member cities.
- Session 2: Strategic solutions to optimize destination management, enhance visitor experiences, and build sustainable cities.
The event gathered international experts, policymakers, and leading tourism businesses, opening new directions for tourism development across the Asia-Pacific region.
Delegates shared experiences and proposed solutions to improve sustainability and strengthen competitiveness in the tourism sector amid global integration.
3. Cultural Exchange and Destination Promotion Among Member Cities
On September 4, 2025, TPO organized a Joint Tourism Promotion and Cultural Exchange Program featuring outstanding member cities such as Busan, Sanya, Manjung, Pohang, Taichung, and Ulsan.
Highlights of the program included:
- “Sen Hat Lua” Ao Dai Collection by designer Trung Dinh, showcasing 16 unique designs celebrating Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage.
- Traditional music and dance performances from Vietnam, South Korea, China, Japan, Indonesia, the USA, Mexico, Hungary, Spain, and Russia, featuring traditional Vietnamese musical instruments and creating a vibrant atmosphere of international cultural exchange.
This event not only promoted Ho Chi Minh City’s image as a dynamic and welcoming destination but also strengthened relationships between member cities.
4. TPO Best Awards – Honoring Creativity and Sustainability
On the evening of September 5, 2025, the TPO Best Awards Ceremony honored cities with outstanding achievements in tourism activities throughout 2024.
Key award categories included:
Category 1: Tourism Marketing Award
- Taiping (Malaysia): Celebrating Taiping’s 150th anniversary with a campaign attracting over 1.2 million visitors and promoting heritage preservation.
- Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam): “Find Your Vibes” campaign – showcasing a modern, dynamic, and culturally rich city.
- Taichung (Taiwan): 2024 Lantern Festival – a large-scale cultural event boosting local economic growth.
Category 2: Tourism Innovation Award
- Incheon (South Korea): “Incheon Easy” platform – utilizing AI and AR/VR technologies to provide smart and sustainable travel experiences. It became the most downloaded tourism application in the country and gained international recognition.
5. Ho Chi Minh City Destination Survey – Promoting the City’s Tourism Offerings
At the conclusion of the assembly, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism organized a destination survey program for TPO delegates.
The program aimed to:
- Introduce the city’s unique tourism products
- Promote high-quality tourism services
- Reinforce the city’s position as a leading international tourism hub in the region
The 12th TPO General Assembly was not only a significant event for fostering global tourism cooperation but also an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to solidify its status on the international tourism map.
With a focus on digital and green transformation, TPO and its member cities are working together to create a future of sustainable, smart, and modern tourism.
