Tourism Club Conducts Experiential Study Visit to the 19th ITE 2025

“Step Out into the World – Learn from Reality” – that is precisely the spirit embraced by students of the Tourism and Travel Management program at Lac Hong University when participating in the 19th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC) 2025, held from 5–7 September 2025 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC).

ITE HCMC 2025 is the largest annual event of Vietnam’s tourism industry, bringing together more than 400 exhibitors from both domestic and international markets, along with thousands of experts, enterprises, and international tourism promotion organizations. With the theme “Connection – Development – Sustainability,” the expo became a dynamic “real-world classroom” for students passionate about tourism and travel.

Seizing this valuable opportunity, the Tourism Club – The Faculty of Administration International Economics organized a study visit for more than 30 students. The trip enabled students to engage with the professional environment of the international tourism industry, enhance their observation, communication, and trend analysis skills, and learn how enterprises promote products and build brand images.

At the expo, students explored innovative tourism product models such as ecotourism, smart tourism, and MICE tourism (meetings, conferences, and events). They also had the opportunity to interact with representatives of provincial Departments of Tourism, as well as numerous international enterprises from Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Europe – thereby broadening their perspectives on modern tourism practices.

“I was very impressed by how international booths created experiences using virtual reality technology. It helped me realize that tourism is not only about tangible products, but also about emotions and the art of storytelling,” shared Nguyen Anh Thu, class 24QD111.

In addition to the site visit activities, lecturers provided guidance to help students connect theoretical knowledge with practice through modules on tour design, tour guiding operations, tourism communication, and event management. As a result, students strengthened their skills in market analysis, product evaluation, and partner networking – essential competencies for future tourism professionals.

“When I saw how international enterprises promoted tourism products through stories of local culture, I felt an even deeper love for my country. In the future, I hope to contribute to promoting the image of Vietnam to the world,” expressed Ho Thi Kim Tu, class 25QD111.

According to MB Vu Duc Cuong – Head of the Department of Tourism Operations and Tour Guiding, enabling students to participate in trade fairs and professional events is not merely an extracurricular activity but also part of the Faculty’s training strategy of “learning through experience – learning for professional practice.”

The Faculty of Administration International Economics aims to develop a generation of Tourism and Travel Management students with a global mindset, strong professional skills, and high adaptability in the context of international integration. Field trips such as ITE 2025 not only allow students to “go and see,” but also to “learn to do” – gradually affirming the competence and confidence of Lac Hong students on Vietnam’s high-quality tourism education map.