Ho Chi Minh City aims to become appealing int’l tourism megacity

The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, chairman of the National Assembly’s Economic and Financial Committee Phan Van Mai, leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, and nearly 700 domestic and international delegates from 41 countries and territories.

In his opening speech, chairman Duoc presented the city’s renewed image, spaces, and growing potential to international friends.

"Ho Chi Minh City is emerging as a modern megacity, a leading dynamic center of economy and finance in the country, with increasingly developed transportation and logistics infrastructure that is well-connected both regionally and internationally," he said.

It is a megacity where diverse cultures harmoniously converge — a place where traditional values blend with a modern, creative lifestyle.

Duoc added that the city is a megacity with a rich and unique history, offering mountains, forests, rivers, and seas, including Vietnam’s first coastal Ramsar site at Con Dao National Park and the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve.

Ho Chi Minh City is steadily becoming a regional hub for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) events and a vibrant, promising destination for international tourists, the municipal leader noted.

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the opening art performance, themed 'Vietnam Night – The Flow of Essence,' was one of the key highlights of ITE HCMC 2025.

It served as a cultural bridge, showcasing the richness of Vietnamese tourism and cuisine to the delegates and guests, offering them a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s people and culture.

ITE HCMC 2025 is taking place from September 4 to 6 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, marking 19 years of continuous innovation and quality improvement in event organization.

With the theme 'Sustainable Tourism, Vibrant Experiences,' this year’s expo affirms the Vietnamese tourism industry’s strategic vision toward green, responsible development while introducing fresh and unique products and services to attract international visitors.