Organized by the Vietnam Tourism Association, the event opened up a large-scale networking space where new development directions for the tourism industry were concretized through actions and practical models.
Attending the opening ceremony were Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong; Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh; Director of the Department of International Cooperation Nguyen Phuong Hoa; President of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh; Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich; along with representatives from central and local departments and agencies, diplomatic missions, international tourism promotion organizations, the business community, and the press.
As a national-level tourism event organized by the Vietnam Tourism Association, VITM Hanoi 2026 continues to affirm its role as a "strategic meeting point" for the industry. This year's theme goes beyond just a message, clearly reflecting a shift in direction, from extensive growth to development based on technology and sustainability.
According to Cao Thi Ngoc Lan, Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association, the selection of the theme aims to encourage localities and businesses to restructure their products towards greener and smarter directions.
Simultaneously, investment in human resources and promotional methods suitable for the new context is crucial. In particular, digital transformation, with a focus on technology and artificial intelligence, is becoming the foundation shaping how the tourism industry will operate in the future.
“VITM 2026 brings together 31 provinces and cities and 20 countries and territories, with nearly 400 booths from more than 600 organizations and businesses; of which about 15% are international booths. This scale shows the increasing interest and participation of the international market in Vietnamese tourism,” said Ms. Cao Thi Ngoc Lan.
The fair is expected to attract over 80,000 visitors, with many practical promotional programs such as discounts on airfare, hotels, resorts, and distinctive regional OCOP products.
VITM Hanoi 2026 also serves as a forum for in-depth discussions on tourism issues. Within the framework of the fair, there will be a seminar on "Vietnam Tourism - Applying AI for Rapid and Sustainable Development," an awards ceremony honoring outstanding businesses and individuals in 2025, and numerous conferences and workshops on digital tourism trends, green tourism models, and solutions for applying technology in management and business.
Simultaneously, there were promotional activities and cooperation agreements signed by many localities such as Gia Lai, the Mekong Delta, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen, Ca Mau, Lai Chau, and Ho Chi Minh City.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong emphasized the significance of VITM Hanoi 2026 in the context of the rapidly evolving tourism industry. He affirmed that this is a large-scale, professional promotional event that plays a role in connecting supply and demand and creating momentum for the breakthrough development of Vietnamese tourism.
“With the theme ‘Digital Transformation, Green Growth, Elevating Vietnamese Tourism,’ the VITM 2026 Fair is a practical event, in line with the development trends of world tourism and Vietnam’s strategic orientation, reflecting the consistent guiding principles of the Party, State leaders and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism,” the Deputy Minister said.
Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued the Program to promote digital transformation of smart tourism in the period 2025 - 2030 (Decision No. 2450/QD-BVHTTDL).
Accordingly, digital transformation is no longer an option but a necessity, ushering the tourism industry into a new phase where data is considered a core resource. AI and Big Data technologies enable trend analysis, product personalization, optimized promotion, and more accurate forecasting of tourist flows.
Alongside this, green growth and sustainable development continue to be important pillars. Vietnam clearly defines that tourism development must be linked to the protection of natural resources, the preservation of indigenous culture, and the promotion of cultural industries.
Practice has proven this approach with exemplary models such as Hoi An and Ninh Binh, where heritage values are preserved while environmental impacts are controlled.
Appreciating the role of the Vietnam Tourism Association, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong stated that the efforts in building the VITM brand have contributed to creating a professional and high-quality trade platform for domestic and foreign businesses.
“I believe that the VITM Hanoi 2026 Fair, with its many diverse activities, will be an opportunity for localities, destinations, and tourism businesses to meet, strengthen partnerships, expand transactions, connect business opportunities, thereby promoting growth and elevating the tourism industry towards a green and sustainable direction,” the Deputy Minister affirmed.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, delegates visited the exhibition booths, where new products, services, and ideas were gradually outlining the next face of Vietnamese tourism, an economic sector entering a repositioning phase based on technology, environment, and cultural values.
Some photos from the Vietnam International Tourism Fair (VITM) - Hanoi 2026:
Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/dinh-hinh-truc-phat-trien-moi-cho-du-lich-viet-nam-218283.html
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