Tourism Club Conducts a Field Study Visit to the 19th ITE 2025

“Step Out into the World – Learn from Reality” – this is the spirit carried by students of Tourism and Travel Management 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, gathering more than 400 exhibitors from both domestic and international markets, along with thousands of experts, enterprises, and international tourism promotion organizations. With the theme “Linkage – Development – Sustainability,” the expo became a dynamic “real-world classroom” for students passionate about tourism and travel.

Recognizing this valuable opportunity, the Tourism Club of The Faculty of Administration International Economics organized a study visit for more than 30 students. The trip enabled them to experience the professional environment of the international tourism industry, develop 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 eco-tourism, smart tourism, and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions). They also had the opportunity to interact with representatives from Provincial Departments of Tourism and 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 immersive 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 visit, lecturers guided students in connecting theoretical knowledge with practice through modules such as 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.

“Seeing how international enterprises promote tourism products through stories of local culture made me love my country even more. I hope that in the future I can contribute to promoting Vietnam’s image to the world,” expressed Ho Thi Kim Tu, class 25QD111.

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

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 “travel to see,” but also to “learn to do,” gradually affirming the competence and professionalism of Lac Hong University students within Vietnam’s high-quality tourism education landscape.