In his opening speech, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung – Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee said that with the theme “Sustainable Tourism – Creating the Future”, ITE HCMC 2024 expects countries, regions, territories, governments and businesses to continue pursuing sustainable development goals, building and implementing quickly, drastically and effectively sustainable tourism development plans in their countries and localities and general plans towards reducing emissions globally.

The fair will also focus on discussing solutions and initiatives to concretize the goals and strategic vision of Vietnam’s tourism industry in general and Ho Chi Minh City tourism in particular, aiming at the identity of sustainable tourism development, not only based on economic benefits but also in harmony with cultural, social and environmental values.

ITE HCMC 2024 is also an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to update and learn from international experiences on motivational mechanisms and policies to develop the tourism industry during the period when the city is accelerating the implementation of Resolution 98/2023/QH15 of the National Assembly on piloting specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee delivered the opening speech.

During the 2 days from September 5-6, ITE HCMC 2024 will coordinate with domestic and international agencies and units to organize 9 in-depth seminars and forums to provide in-depth perspectives, professional knowledge and practical experience to propose practical solutions, propose effective policies and strategies to contribute to promoting sustainable tourism development.

One of the programs that attracted the attention of many domestic and international speakers was the High-level Tourism Forum: “Green transformation, Net Zero tourism – Building the future” with 2 discussion sessions. Speakers and participants will discuss Net Zero and the role of green transformation in tourism development. From there, solutions will be proposed to achieve the goal of green transformation and develop Net Zero tourism in the tourism industry.

ITE HCMC 2024 attracts 700 leaders from the world’s leading organizations and businesses in the tourism industry from 38 countries and territories.

The workshop “Empowering local communities through sustainable tourism” was jointly organized by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the World Tourism Organization – Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific (UN Tourism RSOAP). Attendees will be updated with information and trends in community tourism and practices in developing community tourism in the Mekong Delta. At the same time, through presentations and discussion sessions, successes and challenges in community tourism development projects will be shared.

In parallel with the trade exhibition activities at ITE HCMC 2024, the Department of Industry and Trade and the Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City also organize the International Gift and Souvenir Exhibition Fair of Ho Chi Minh City in 2024 with 100 participating booths. This event takes place for 3 days at the A2 – SECC exhibition area. The event is organized to closely connect shopping and tourism, building Ho Chi Minh City into an attractive shopping destination for luxury goods not only for the city’s residents but also increasingly attracting domestic and foreign tourists.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung (2nd from left) and Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai (3rd from left) visit the booths.

In addition, accompanying the ITE HCMC Fair this year, the Department of Industry and Trade also launched the Shopping Season 2024 City Sale program from August 30 to September 8 at 3 major shopping centers: Union Square Building, Science and Technology Building, SC VivoCity Shopping Center with diverse products, discounts up to 80%.

ITE HCMC 2024 Fair is implemented under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, organized by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, coordinated by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, CIS Vietnam Company and Le Bros Company.

Phuong Ngan