Press Release No. 5 – TPO: Summary of the 12th General Assembly Meeting of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO) – Ho Chi Minh City’s Strategic Step “Shaping the Future of Tourism: Digital Transformation and Green Transformation”
Ho Chi Minh City, on September 04 and 05, 2025, bilateral meetings, High-Level Forum, Conference of TPO member city leaders, and plenary sessions within the framework of the 12th General Assembly Meeting of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO) took place seriously, professionally, and effectively.
Ho Chi Minh City’s Role in TPO 2025 – A Strategic Step to Shape the Future of Tourism: Digital Transformation and Green Transformation
The agenda items achieved excellent results, and delegates from member cities highly appreciated Ho Chi Minh City’s organization. As the host city for the 12th General Assembly of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO) in 2025, Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) plays an extremely important and strategic role. This role is not limited to organizing the event but also encompasses many other aspects, aiming to enhance the city’s position and promote the development of Vietnam’s tourism industry, as well as contribute to the development of global tourism.
Ho Chi Minh City’s role in TPO 2025 is also a strategic step, demonstrating the city’s vision and proactiveness in shaping the future of the tourism industry, not only in Vietnam but also globally.
With the theme “Shaping the Future of Tourism: Towards Digital Transformation and Green Transformation” stemming from Ho Chi Minh City’s initiative, which received strong consensus within the TPO organization, Ho Chi Minh City also played a leading role in discussing and shaping the future of the global tourism industry. The city shared its strategies and solutions in applying digital technology to tourism management, developing environmentally friendly tourism products, and enhancing visitor experiences. Through various sessions, conferences, and the Chairman’s Declaration, HCMC clearly demonstrated its strong commitment to promoting sustainable tourism development, not only bringing economic benefits but also protecting the environment and cultural identity.
On the afternoon of September 05, 2025, the TPO General Assembly plenary session, chaired by Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, unanimously approved various contents, including proposed amendments to the TPO charter and the Chairman’s Declaration of the 12th TPO General Assembly and related meetings. Specifically as follows:
Approval of the Chairman’s Declaration of the 12th General Assembly of the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities
The Chairman’s Declaration of the 12th TPO General Assembly has 3 main contents: digital transformation in urban tourism; green and sustainable tourism strategies; and the TPO Green Horizon platform initiative. The summarized content of this Declaration is as follows:
- Reaffirming a shared commitment to promoting smart and sustainable tourism through innovation, dialogue, and cooperation for mutual benefit, for a greener, smarter future for all.
- Committing to strengthening international cooperation, leveraging the power of smart technologies and creative innovation, while promoting knowledge sharing, dissemination of best practices, and scalable solutions, to create comprehensive, resilient, and future-oriented destinations, and more connected, sustainable tourism systems for future generations, bringing harmonious benefits to both residents and visitors.
- Encouraging the research, development, and application of green technologies among TPO member cities and partners, through cooperation between governments, academia, and the private sector, to accelerate the adoption of environmentally friendly solutions, enhance sustainability, and improve the competitiveness of the tourism industry.
- Supporting TPO Green Horizon as a strategic platform to foster green communities and promote sustainable tourism initiatives across the network, while calling on TPO member cities and relevant agencies to collaborate towards the progressive development of this initiative.
Referring to this Declaration, Mr. Nguyen Van Dung, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, emphasized: “Ho Chi Minh City has introduced the strategic Green Horizon platform. Within this, digital cooperation platforms are proposed to create green communities and promote sustainable tourism initiatives across the entire TPO network through technological cooperation.”
Approval of TPO’s Work Program for 2026
TPO’s Work Program for 2026, outlined in Document No. 2025-GA12-03, includes the following main contents:
- A total of eight (08) conferences are expected to be held, including: five (05) Regional Meetings, two (02) Executive Board Meetings, and a Forum.
- The Regional Meetings are expected to be hosted in Tay Ninh province (Vietnam), Alor Setar city (Malaysia), and Yogyakarta city (Indonesia).
- For the Korean Regional Meetings, potential host cities are Gimhae and Pohang. Both cities are also candidates for the next General Assembly. After the General Assembly host city is selected, the two candidate cities will consult with each other to decide the host city for the Regional Meeting.
- The meeting in China will be confirmed in 2025 after consultation with the potential host city.
- Members are encouraged to attend Regional Meetings outside their own region as observers. Such participation will provide valuable opportunities to expand networks, share experiences, and build collaborative relationships.
The highlight of next year’s series of conferences will be the 10th TPO Forum, scheduled to be held in Taichung city.
- Regarding joint projects, two joint participation activities will be organized at international tourism fairs next year. One event will be held in a member city, and the other will take place outside the scope of member cities.
- In addition, projects organized in conjunction with the 10th TPO Forum are also being prepared, including: the Joint Promotion Introduction Program, TPO Tourism Roadshow, and Tourism Exchange & Cooperation Program. This program will enable delegates not only to attend the Forum directly but also to have the opportunity to visit Taichung city and neighboring urban areas, and participate in B2B and G2B activities. The program is designed to enhance networking opportunities and strengthen cooperation among member cities.
- Regarding human resource development, the Culture & Language Immersion Program (CLIP) will continue to be implemented along with the Capacity Building Program. CLIP offers young people the opportunity to directly experience the future development and tourism potential of the host city. This year, a new system – Supporters – has been introduced, allowing CLIP participants to continue promoting the host city’s tourism even after the program concludes. Hosting CLIP provides member cities with valuable opportunities to showcase their strengths and enhance their international standing.
- Notably, the 2nd Global City Tourism Summit will be held in Busan, providing an international dialogue platform on the future of urban tourism. In collaboration with Busan, the Secretariat will combine high-level policy discussions with various side activities, creating opportunities for members to connect, interact, and build concrete cooperative relationships in the field of tourism.
- Regarding information and communication, the official TPO website and regular e-newsletter will continue to be maintained. Two initiatives launched in 2025 will continue in 2026: the Busan English Radio Program and outdoor electronic billboard advertising. The English Radio Program is broadcast on both radio and YouTube, expanding its reach and becoming an effective communication channel to promote member cities to a broad international audience. Simultaneously, outdoor electronic billboard advertising, with the support of Busan city, has proven highly effective in reaching a large public audience and enhancing the image of TPO and its member cities.
Election of TPO Leadership for the 2026 – 2027 Term
At the session, the TPO leadership for the 2026 – 2027 term was elected. Busan City (South Korea) continues to serve as TPO Chairman for the 2026-2027 term; the two cities of Gimhae (South Korea) and Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) hold the positions of TPO Vice Chairman for the 2026 – 2027 term. Concurrently, Gimhae city was selected to host the 13th TPO General Assembly in 2027.
TPO Admits New Members
Within the framework of the 12th TPO General Assembly, the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities admitted 17 new members, increasing the total number of members to 204, including 144 governmental members. Notably, 13 governmental cities include: Aktau (Kazakhstan), Umnugovi (Mongolia), Miri (Malaysia) and 10 localities in South Korea (Changnyeong, Geochang, Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Haman, Hamyang, Hapcheon, Jinju, Sancheong, and Uiryeong).
TPO Secretary-General Kang Da-eun affirmed, “Expanding the membership network to 204 is an important milestone, creating a foundation for new cooperation opportunities, and strengthening TPO’s role as a global tourism cooperation forum.”
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Additional Information
Ho Chi Minh City is one of the founding cities, and also the only city in Vietnam to serve as an Executive Board member. It has actively participated in TPO activities, making effective contributions to strengthening and expanding cooperative relationships and exchanging tourism development experiences among member cities.
In particular, through the TPO Organization, Ho Chi Minh City has actively and positively introduced its destination image to the global tourism community, contributing to attracting an increasing number of international visitors to the City, especially from key markets in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia.
HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM.
