The 20th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo — known as ITE HCMC — is running from 27 to 29 August 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in District 7. This is one of Southeast Asia’s largest annual travel trade fairs, and its 2026 edition is the biggest yet.
What Is ITE HCMC?
ITE HCMC is a professional travel and tourism exhibition that brings together buyers, sellers, tour operators, hotels, airlines, and destination marketing organisations from across Asia and beyond. The 2026 edition carries the theme “Vibrant Connections – Global Destinations.”
This year’s expo includes more than 520 exhibitors and brands, 34 Vietnamese provinces and cities, and around 260 international buyers from over 40 countries and territories. While much of the event is trade-facing, the expo signals Vietnam’s growing position as a major travel hub and reflects the industry’s confidence in the country’s tourism trajectory.
Why This Matters for Visitors
ITE HCMC is not primarily a consumer event, but its presence in Ho Chi Minh City this week has practical implications. Hotels and venues in District 7 may be busier than usual around the SECC. Visitors who plan to arrive or move through the city during these dates should expect some additional activity around the convention centre and nearby transport links.
More broadly, the expo is a barometer for Vietnam’s standing in global tourism. The scale of buyer participation this year — 260 high-level international buyers — points to strong incoming investment in new routes, hotels, and tourism products. Travellers planning trips for 2027 are likely to see improved connectivity and more options as a direct result of the deals being struck this week.
Ho Chi Minh City Right Now
The city is in its drier, cooler-by-Vietnamese-standards season. The ongoing Vietnam National Day holiday (29 August to 2 September) means some government offices and a handful of attractions will be closed, but restaurants, markets, museums, and most things to do in Ho Chi Minh City remain open and lively. Expect festive street food, flags on every block, and fireworks over the Saigon River on the evening of 2 September.
Vietnam’s tourism authority has been pushing an ambitious long-term target of 70 million annual international visitors by 2045. Events like ITE HCMC, combined with improving air connectivity and rising destination recognition, suggest that trajectory is broadly on track.