Ho Chi Minh City is doubling down on MICE tourism — that's meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions — with a new phase of policy designed to turn Vietnam's commercial hub into a genuine regional rival to Bangkok and Singapore for large international events.
At a late-September review conference, the city's Department of Tourism looked back at its MICE programme for 2022–25. Director Phạm Huy Bình said the standout achievement wasn't simply the number of delegations welcomed, but the way agencies now work together across the whole service chain — immigration, security, transport, hotels, conferences, sightseeing and shopping. That coordination, he argued, has made hosting big groups smoother and more professional.
The next step is geographic. The city's wider footprint now bundles together three complementary zones: the central district, strong on conferences, finance and trade; Bình Dương, with its industrial base and specialised exhibition space; and the coastal stretch of Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu plus Côn Đảo, ideal for resort stays and post-conference downtime. The idea is to stitch these into complete product chains so business visitors extend their stays and spend more — a key metric, since officials say success will now be measured by length of stay, spending, repeat visits and event quality rather than raw headcounts.
A recent city resolution, No. 62/2025/NQ-HDND, underpins support policies through 2030, and the sector plans to sharpen its bid strategy for international events, targeting sectors where the region already has depth: finance, technology, innovation, logistics, healthcare, education, industry and the marine economy. Standing vice chairman of the People's Committee Nguyễn Lộc Hà framed it plainly: MICE isn't just tourism, it's a channel that brings capital, knowledge and business connections into the city. The 2026–30 period, he said, should see the city move from promoting itself as a destination to actively competing for high-value events.
For travellers, why care? If you attend conferences or incentive trips in Asia, Ho Chi Minh City is positioning itself as a cheaper, energetic alternative to the usual regional venues — with far better leisure add-ons than most: street food, markets, the Mekong Delta on the doorstep, and beach resorts a short flight or drive away. Even leisure travellers benefit indirectly, as improved transport, hotels and event infrastructure tend to lift the whole visitor experience. Watch this space through the decade — the city clearly intends to be more than a stopover.
