HCM City hosts major trade–tourism connectivity events
A series of major trade and tourism connectivity events opened on September 4 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring Vietnam International Sourcing (VIS) 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Export Forum, and the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2025.
The delegates perform the opening ceremony of the series of events. (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA)🔯 – A series of major trade and tourism connectivity events opened on September 4 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring Vietnam International Sourcing (VIS) 2025, the Ho Chi Minh City Export Forum, and the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2025.
Building on two successful editions, VIS has quickly established itself as a trusted platform for domestic and international businesses. Returning this year on a larger scale, the event has attracted 450 procurement delegations from 60 countries and territories. Alongside traditional partners such as the US, EU, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, VIS is expanding its reach into promising markets including the Middle East, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The event offers Vietnamese enterprises a key opportunity to leverage the country’s 17 free trade agreements while reducing dependence on a limited number of markets.
Covering 10,000 sqm, VIS 2025 features 12,000 products from over 400 Vietnamese businesses across diverse sectors including agriculture, processed food, beverages, textiles, footwear, furniture, packaging, and supporting industries. With more than 3,000 scheduled B2B meetings and some 5,000 spontaneous connections expected, the event continues to serve as an effective bridge between Vietnamese enterprises and global distribution networks.
Meanwhile, ITE HCMC 2025 provides a dynamic platform for localities and tourism businesses to showcase unique products, services, and destinations to international audiences. Beyond celebrating Vietnam’s heritage, culture, cuisine, and natural beauty, the expo underlines tourism’s growing role as a driver of trade and investment.
Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh delivers speech at the 2025 High-Level Tourism Forum, September 4, 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Speaking at the 2025 High-Level Tourism Forum, held as part of ITE HCMC, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh called for the development of a “Digital and Green Tourism Principles” framework. This, he said, will provide a common standard to encourage countries and enterprises to pursue responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Chinh also stressed the need to strengthen regional and cross-sector linkages to build sustainable tourism value chains that connect with agriculture, culture, environment, and technology, thereby creating distinctive and competitive products. He urged the sector to shift its approach from “growth at all costs” to “sustainable development,” viewing tourism not just as a service industry but as a creative economic sector that shares and connects value.
The Deputy PM further highlighted the importance of digital and green transformation, smart governance, and enhanced data-sharing to establish an intelligent, sustainable tourism ecosystem. He underscored the need to build a digital-savvy workforce with strong knowledge of sustainability, creativity, adaptability, and global integration.
At the forum, delegates discussed the role of digital and green transformation in Vietnam’s tourism sector, solutions for sustainable growth, and the rise of medical tourism. On the occasion, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Health signed a cooperation agreement on medical tourism development./.
A key focus for US firms at VIS 2025 will be direct engagement with Vietnamese suppliers on the exhibition floor—discussing product portfolios, technical specifications, traceability, ESG standards, delivery schedules, and sustainable procurement options. With advantages in cost, quality, flexibility, and growing competitiveness and compliance capacity, Vietnamese enterprises are well-positioned to enter US distribution chains and logistics networks more quickly.
Deputy CEO of Vietnam Airlines Nguyen The Bao said the event is not only a trade promotion platform but also a symbol of the vitality and creativity of Vietnam’s tourism industry.
The 12th Tourism Promotion Organisation for Global Cities (TPO) General Assembly, which is taking place in HCM City, encourages environmentally friendly solutions, climate-conscious practices, and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
Forbes Italia recently spotlighted Phu Quoc in an article named “Southern Vietnam in 10 Luxury Experiences: From Skyscrapers to Beaches and Legends”, praising it as a destination that blends unspoiled nature, upscale hospitality, and a tranquil seaside lifestyle.
A highlight of the event will be the B2B networking session “Buyers Meet Sellers”, held throughout the two days to connect travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, and service providers.
Renowned for its unspoiled beauty — from pristine white-sand beaches to a refreshing climate and dozens of picturesque islets — much of the island’s potential had remained untapped.
Since 2011, the title “Vietnam Tourism Ambassador” has been conferred on several distinguished figures, each of whom has played a part in carrying the country’s image onto the global stage.
The operation of the cultural train, Metro Line 2A, and bus routes not only eases traffic congestion but also opens new opportunities to explore Hanoi in a modern, eco-friendly way.
The initiative seeks to foster linkages between tourism products across different regions while preserving and showcasing ethnic cultural identities. It also aims to enhance Lam Dong’s tourism brand in both domestic and international markets, contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.
As part of the programme, around 250 international guests enjoyed destination and culinary experiences across the city from September 4 to 8, creating memorable impressions of the southern hub.
The event offers visitors a vivid “miniature journey” through Vietnam’s diverse regions. Inside halls H5, H6, and H7, every booth is a dazzling deep dive into a locality’s culture, history, and economic potential.
The National Day holiday highlighted Vietnam’s growing appeal as a safe and adaptable destination, laying a positive foundation for the year’s final months.
The four-day holiday, which began from August 30, not only brought huge revenues to the tourism sector but also boosted domestic consumption, with strong demand for dining, shopping, and travel.
As the host of the grand parade celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day and the Exhibition on national achievements, Hanoi welcomed more than 2.08 million visitors during the holiday, triple the figure from the same period in 2024.
Hanoi received around 2.08 million visitors during the four-day National Day holidays from August 30 to September 2, three times higher than the figure in the same period last year, the municipal Department of Tourism reported.
Vietnam’s national tourism strategy to 2030 identifies golf tourism as a priority to enhance competitiveness. With natural advantages, growing infrastructure, and cross-sector cooperation, Vietnam is poised for a breakthrough. Long-term success, however, depends on diversified products and top-tier experiences that secure Vietnam’s place on the global golf map.
This year, demand for historical, heritage, and experiential tourism in Tuyen Quang province is expected to rise among both domestic and international travellers. Travel companies have responded by developing new tours and routes to serve visitors.
Phu Quoc special zone in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang is cementing its position as a prime destination for visitors in Vietnam and the world, expecting to welcome more than 7 million tourist arrivals this year.
According to statistics from the Chinese side, in the first seven months of 2025, the number of outbound tourists through the Youyi Guan border gate reached 61,800, an increase of 85.31% compared to the same period last year, particularly amidst the booming summer tourism season.
As the four-day National Day (September 2) holiday is approaching, Ho Chi Minh City is stepping up preparations to welcome an anticipated surge of visitors, with travel companies, hotels and tourist attractions upgrading services and offering new experiences to meet growing demand.
For the eight months of this year, the total number of visitors to Hanoi reached 21.58 million, up 13.9% year-on-year. Of the total, international tourist arrivals were 4.96 million, a year-on-year increase of 25.8%. Total revenue from tourism in the period hit an estimated 85.8 trillion VND, up 17.1%.
