A Brilliant “Vietnam Night” – Where the “Flow of Quintessence” Converges

Ho Chi Minh City, September 3rd, 2025 – The Opening Ceremony Art Program – Vietnam Night, with the theme “The Flow of Quintessence” – one of the most anticipated events within the framework of the 19th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2025 – has officially taken place at Thiskyhall Convention Center (10 Mai Chi Tho Street, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City).

The special “Vietnam Night” event is a cultural bridge where the quintessence of Vietnamese tourism and cuisine is introduced to delegates, guests, and senior Vietnamese and international leaders, providing an in-depth experience of the people and culture of Vietnam.

The “Vietnam Night” Gala is honored to welcome Mr. Mai Van Chinh, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Deputy Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Member of the Party Central Committee of the Communist Party, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; Mr. Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee; as well as leaders of tourism ministries from various countries; Mayors/Vice-Mayors of member cities of the global tourism organization TPO; leaders of Vietnamese provinces and cities and international cities with cooperative relationships with Ho Chi Minh City; Consuls General; representatives of consular agencies, economic-commercial-cultural offices in Ho Chi Minh City; leaders of tourism corporations and businesses, media partners, and nearly 700 domestic and international delegates from 41 countries and territories attending ITE HCMC 2025 and the 12th General Assembly of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (Armenia; Australia; Azerbaijan; Bhutan; Brazil; Cambodia; Canada; China; Chinese Taipei; Czech Republic; Denmark; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Italy; Japan; Laos; Malaysia; Myanmar; Nicaragua; Oman; Philippines; Poland; Portugal; Qatar; Russia; Singapore; Slovakia; South Korea; Spain; Switzerland; Thailand; Tunisia; Turkey; The United Kingdom; The United States; United Arab; Emirates; Uzbekistan; Viet Nam).

In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Member of the Party Central Committee of the Communist Party, Deputy Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, highlighted the meaning of the Vietnam Night art program’s theme, “The Flow of Quintessence”: “As a nation located in the lower Mekong River basin—a legendary river that flows through five countries—generations of Vietnamese people have followed the river to settle and develop. The river is not only the source of life but also the source of culture and civilization; it is the memory and history of the Vietnamese people. The flow of the rivers runs not only through economic life but also through the collective memory, a cultural current passed down through many generations—at once gentle and persistent, yet containing infinite strength that helps people overcome challenges and look towards the future. The message of ‘Flow’ is not merely an image of nature but also a metaphor for the inheritance and continuation of the ‘Quintessence’ distilled from the history, heritage, and cultural depth of each country along the river, which then blends and crystallizes into enduring values.” He affirmed, “Through tonight’s art program, in the shimmering light of the music and art stage, in the delicate flavor of cuisine imbued with Vietnamese identity—a place where tradition and the spirit of the times harmonize—the theme ‘The Flow of Quintessence’ is not only a welcome to our distinguished guests to a beautiful and peaceful Vietnam but also a message of friendship and cooperation for sustainable development, to nurture the flow of nature and the culture of communities and ethnic groups throughout the development process. The program is also Ho Chi Minh City’s welcome to friends from five continents, showcasing a new face, a new space, and new potential: a modern megacity, a leading dynamic economic-financial hub of the country with an increasingly developed transport and logistics infrastructure system, and strong regional and international connectivity. A megacity where many cultures harmoniously converge, where traditional identity intersects with a modern, creative rhythm of life. A megacity with a distinct historical depth, with mountains, forests, rivers, and seas, featuring Vietnam’s first island ramsan site and a UNESCO-recognized mangrove biosphere reserve, and more. A megacity that is progressively becoming the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) center of the region, and an attractive, dynamic, and promising tourist destination.”

Vietnam Night – A Unique Art Program:

The two opening performances, the shadow dance “Welcome Ho Chi Minh City” and the Mashup “Join hands with my Vietnamese people – Hello Ho Chi Minh City,” represent Vietnam’s warm welcome to international friends. These performances mark the beginning of a journey connecting culture, tourism, and friendship within the framework of the 19th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2025.

The short film “Ho Chi Minh City – The Flow of Quintessence” allows visitors to admire the unique features and cultural, artistic, and culinary essence of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam. The film showcases iconic heritage sites and highlights Ho Chi Minh City’s emergence in a new era. The city has a vibrant pace of life, colorful festivals, green tourism, regional connections, and an urban infrastructure. These elements are building a dynamic and promising megacity.

The musical and martial arts performance “Cultural Quintessence” takes the audience on a journey to the realm of heritage. The performance includes various emotional tones of Cai Luong and classical opera, with a combination of music, singing, acting, and colorful choreography.

The fashion show of the Ao Dai collection “Heritage Quintessence” is a vibrant and profound picture. It is rich in culture and inspired by traditional Vietnamese craft villages. These include the shell handicraft village, which is unique to coastal cultural life; the lacquer village, which features exquisite lacquerware that preserves historical memories and the Vietnamese soul; and the ceramic village, which has products that are the crystallization of earth, fire, and human hands. These products tell cultural stories through glaze colors, patterns, and the dedication of the artisans.

Vietnam Night: Cuisine – The Quintessence of Wet Rice Culture

Vietnamese cuisine is not just about food, it’s a cultural experience. Visitors can experience the historical depth, lifestyle, and the simple, hospitable soul of the local people in each flavor and cooking method. Vietnamese cultural identity is conveyed intimately and vividly through cuisine. It touches the heart of every visitor.

From the opening ceremony to the Vietnamese dishes on the menu, the choices reflect the care taken by Ho Chi Minh City to welcome guests from around the world. The goal is to build a standard and vivid image of a diverse tourist destination with high-quality services. The unique opening ceremony involves delegates pouring bowls of rice into clay pots. This beautiful image symbolizes prosperity and represents a wish for global connection and prosperity.

The International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City – ITE HCMC 2025 will take place from September 4th to 6th, 2025, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. ITE HCMC has a 19-year history of innovation and professional organization. It is becoming an influential international tourism promotion platform in the Mekong and Asian regions.

The ITE HCMC 2025 sets the strategic vision for the Vietnamese tourism industry in general and Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism in particular with the theme “Sustainable Tourism, Vibrant Experiences.” This not only raises awareness about sustainable tourism but also focuses on the creative development of new products and services that meet the demands of green and responsible tourism. It pioneers in encouraging businesses and localities to build unique and distinctive tourism products with vibrant experiences that will impress international buyers and attract them to Vietnam in the future. 

ITE HCMC 2025 is honored to have the support of its strategic partners: Vietnam Airlines – Diamond Sponsor and Official Airline; Saigontourist Group – Diamond Sponsor; SECC – Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center – Gold Sponsor; Thiskyhall – New Generation Convention and Event Center – Venue Sponsor; Sofitel Saigon Plaza Hotel – Venue and Accommodation Sponsor; Nam A Commercial Joint Stock Bank, Đôi Dép Brand – Gift Sponsor; Rex Saigon Hotel, Le Meridien Saigon Hotel, Que Huong Liberty Joint Stock Company, New World Saigon Hotel, Renaissance Riverside Saigon Hotel, M Village, The Grand Ho Tram, The Secret Con Dao Hotel under AKYN Hospitality Group, Malibu Vung Tau Hotel, Vias Vung Tau Hotel, and Melia Ho Tram Hotel – Post-event Accommodation Sponsors; and the active support of ShopeeFood, ACV – Airports Corporation of Vietnam, Bt Tour Event Organization And Community Tourist Company Limited – Tour route sponsor, major domestic and international airlines such as Vietjet – Strategic Airline, Vietravel Airlines, and partners, including Japan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Cebu Pacific, and Cathay Pacific in connecting and transporting potential tourism businesses and international buyers to Vietnam, creating favorable conditions for them to access Vietnam quickly and effectively.