PRESS RELEASES NO.1: HO CHI MINH CITY TO HOST THE 12TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE TOURISM PROMOTION ORGANIZATION FOR GLOBAL CITIES (TPO)
Under the theme “Shaping the Future of Tourism: Embracing Digital and Green Transformation”, the 12th TPO General Assembly will serve as a platform for cities around the world to discuss strategies, share experiences, and propose innovative solutions to foster sustainable tourism, leverage digital technologies, and promote environmentally friendly tourism models.
Highlights of the main activities at the 12th TPO General Assembly:
- Symposium: The main sessions will focus on emerging trends in the tourism industry, as well as the role of digital transformation and green tourism in enhancing visitor experiences and strengthening the competitiveness of destinations.
- Networking and Collaboration Opportunities: Delegates will have the chance to meet, exchange experiences, and explore potential collaborations with tourism authorities from various countries to develop joint tourism projects.
- Unique Cultural Experiences: In addition to the official activities, Ho Chi Minh City will host cultural and artistic exchange programs, as well as site inspections of the city’s most distinctive tourist attractions, to showcase to international delegates the vibrant charm, rich history, and unique cultural identity of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Participation in the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2025): The 12th TPO General Assembly will be held concurrently with ITE HCMC 2025 – Vietnam’s largest tourism trade fair – offering a rare opportunity for business networking and the establishment of strategic partnerships among countries in the tourism sector.
Hosting the 12th TPO General Assembly affirms Ho Chi Minh City’s position as a leading tourism center in the region:
The TPO General Assembly 2025 is regarded as a major opportunity for the newly expanded Ho Chi Minh City, following its recent administrative merger, to promote its people, distinctive culture, and tourism potential to key international markets. At the same time, the event reaffirms the city’s pioneering role in tourism promotion, in line with its position as a founding member and Executive Committeemember of the TPO.
The 12th TPO General Assembly is not only a significant milestone in the series of diplomatic and friendship cooperation activities between Ho Chi Minh City and global cities on the occasion of celebrating multiple bilateral relationships in 2025, but also a testament to the city’s strong commitment to sustainable tourism development, international integration, and contribution to the overall growth of the global tourism industry.
Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, shared: “The TPO General Assembly 2025 is not only an event of international scale, but also a significant milestone in the series of diplomatic and friendship cooperation activities between Ho Chi Minh City and cities around the world. We are making every effort to organize the 12th TPO General Assembly in a professional and thoughtful manner, leaving a lasting impression on international friends of a city that is friendly, hospitable, rich in cultural identity, and vibrant in every experience.”
Regarding the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO):
TPO (Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities) was established in 2002 with the goal of serving as a hub for promotion, information exchange, and communication among tourism cities in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization was founded during the 5th Asia-Pacific City Summit (APCS) held in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2002. To date, TPO has 131 member cities and 56 members comprising tourism organizations and enterprises.
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the founding cities and the only city in Vietnam serving as a member of the Executive Committee. The city has actively participated in TPO’s activities, making effective contributions to strengthening and expanding cooperative relationships and sharing experiences in tourism development among member cities. In particular, through TPO, Ho Chi Minh City has proactively and actively promoted its destination image to the global tourism community, helping to attract an increasing number of international visitors to the city, especially from key markets in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia. Since January 2024, TPO has officially changed its name to the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities, with the aim of enhancing tourism promotion and marketing worldwide.
Objectives and Vision of the 12th TPO General Assembly
The 12th TPO General Assembly in Ho Chi Minh City sets out strategic objectives to:
- Promote Digital Transformation in Tourism: Focus on applying modern technologies such as AI, big data, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) to enhance visitor experiences, optimize destination management, and improve marketing effectiveness.
- Develop Green and Sustainable Tourism: Encourage environmentally friendly tourism solutions that minimize negative impacts on the climate, preserve cultural and natural heritage, and promote social responsibility within the tourism industry.
- Strengthen International Cooperation: Serve as a bridge for TPO member cities to share knowledge and experiences, jointly develop multinational tourism programs and projects, and promote the flow of tourists between cities.
- Enhance Destination Competitiveness: Share strategies for developing unique tourism products, improving service quality, and building attractive destination brand.
HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
