Press Release: Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center And Intrepid Vietnam Cooperate To Promote Sustainable Tourism Development
Ho Chi Minh City, July 24, 2025 – On the occasion of Intrepid Day – an annual global event held by the Intrepid Group on July 24 – Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center and Intrepid Vietnam Travel Co., Ltd. officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in destination promotion and the advancement of sustainable tourism development. The signing ceremony was held in a formal setting, with the distinguished presence of Mr. Lê Trương Hiền Hòa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, and Mr. Geoff Manchester, Co-founder of Intrepid Global.
Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center (HTPC) is a public service unit under the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, serving as a key entity in tourism promotion and marketing efforts. With the mandate to connect both domestic and international markets, HTPC actively implements destination marketing programs, develops tourism products, and fosters inter-regional, cross-sector, and international cooperation to elevate Ho Chi Minh City’s position on the regional and global tourism map.
The partner in this collaboration – Intrepid Vietnam Travel Co., Ltd. – is a member of Intrepid Travel Group, headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. With over 36 years of experience and operations in 31 countries, Intrepid is recognized as one of the world’s leading travel companies. Established in 2005, Intrepid Vietnam has been a pioneer in sustainable tourism, organizing nearly 3,000 trips annually and serving approximately 26,000 international travelers. Driven by a commitment to responsible travel, Intrepid Vietnam is dedicated to generating positive social impact through partnerships with organizations such as Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, VUN ART, and Save Vietnam’s Wildlife. The company also champions a sustainable tourism supply chain, collaborating with over 500 local partners in accommodation, transportation, and culturally immersive experiences.
Advancing Cooperation for Sustainable Tourism Development
This partnership represents a meaningful milestone in translating Ho Chi Minh City’s sustainable tourism development strategy into concrete action, aligned with global trends and the city’s vision for international integration. Under the agreement, both parties will jointly implement initiatives to promote the destination, develop tourism products that are sustainable, safe, and compelling, and foster a strong, responsible identity for Ho Chi Minh City as a vibrant and culturally rich destination on the global tourism map.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Lê Trương Hiền Hòa – Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism – stated: “As global tourism increasingly shifts toward sustainable and responsible values, our partnership with Intrepid Vietnam is a practical step toward enhancing the competitiveness of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector. Through this collaboration, we aim to drive innovation, enrich visitor experiences, extend length of stay, strengthen regional tourism linkages, and most importantly, promote the image of Ho Chi Minh City as a friendly, culturally vibrant, and forward-looking green destination.”
As part of the collaboration, Intrepid Vietnam will facilitate the invitation of senior executives from leading travel companies within the Intrepid global ecosystem, such as Exodus (UK), Wild Frontiers (UK), Sawadee (Netherlands), Intrepid DMC (Australia), Auswalk (Australia), and Side Tour (Turkey), to participate in the International Buyers Program at ITE HCMC 2025. This initiative aims to expand networking opportunities between Vietnamese travel businesses and major international tourism groups.
Ms. Nguyễn Cẩm Tú, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center, remarked: “Collaborating with Intrepid presents a strategic opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector to effectively engage with high-value international markets through the group’s extensive and experienced global network. It also represents a concrete step toward enhancing the quality of our promotional activities, with a focus on key target markets that align with the city’s direction for sustainable, responsible, and internationally integrated development in this new phase.”
Additionally, Ms. Natalie Kidd – Chief Operating Officer for Asia at Intrepid Travel – will attend and speak at the High-Level Tourism Forum during ITE HCMC 2025, sharing insights and initiatives related to sustainable tourism.
Mr. Geoff Manchester – Co Founder of Intrepid Travel – states: “Intrepid Travel is delighted to have the opportunity to partner with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism. Vietnam is a very important destination for Intrepid, with most Intrepid travellers visiting Ho Chi Minh City. The Department of Tourism and Intrepid will work together to promote sustainable, innovative and inclusive tourism in the region. We will do this through investment, capacity building and product development, based around sustainability and a commitment to ensuring benefits flow to local communities.”
In parallel, both parties will focus on developing tourism products in the Southeast region of Vietnam to enhance visitor experiences and extend the length of stay in Ho Chi Minh City. Potential offerings include the Lò Gò – Xa Mát cycling tour, combined trekking and cycling tours in Tây Ninh, and eco-exploration tours in Nam Cát Tiên National Park. “Ho Chi Minh City has always played a key role in Intrepid’s 5H destinations – Hanoi, Ha Long, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City – and is consistently chosen by travelers as a vibrant and welcoming destination.” said Mr. Nguyễn Thanh Hạnh, General Director of Intrepid Vietnam “This MOU marks a new chapter in our collaboration, reinforcing Intrepid’s commitment to promoting Ho Chi Minh City as a gateway to greener, more community-connected tourism experiences, we believe this collaboration can set new benchmarks for sustainable tourism and contribute to long-term growth across the industry by combining global expertise with local insights. As Vietnam embraces a new era of national growth and creativity, we are proud to partner with Ho Chi Minh City to shape the future of tourism by amplify the city’s presence on the global stage through strategic marketing, innovative product development, and responsible travel.”
This partnership between Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center and Intrepid Vietnam not only underscores a shared commitment to sustainable tourism, but also translates that vision into action, fostering stronger public, private collaboration and contributing to the creation of a vibrant, responsible, and future-focused tourism landscape for Ho Chi Minh City.
