The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center launched the 4th Ho Chi Minh City Innovative Startup for Tourism Competition (HIST 2026) on September 30.
Under the theme ““Start with Innovation. Scale Sustainably,” the event aims to identify, incubate, and scale innovative solutions that elevate visitor experiences, enhance competitiveness, and drive high added value for the city's tourism sector.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Pham Huy Binh, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, noted that the sector is entering a transformative growth phase. Major policy frameworks, including Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo and Urban Development Law No. 18/2026/QH16, provide structural momentum to resolve longstanding bottlenecks and position tourism as a primary economic driver.
“To capitalize on these opportunities, the tourism industry requires practical, actionable innovations," Mr. Binh emphasized. “Competing teams should begin by addressing specific friction points in the traveler journey or business operations, then iteratively test and refine their models based on market feedback.”
HIST 2026 prioritizes five core tracks, including Nighttime Economy and Tourism, Digital Transformation and AI in Tourism, Cultural and Creative Tourism, Green and Sustainable Operations, and the Commercialization of Research from Universities and Research Institutes.
The competition features two distinct divisions: Division 1 (Aspiring Founders) for student-led ideas, and Division 2 (Early-Stage Startups) for venture-backed or operational startups. Registration opened on September 30, 2026, at hist.visithcmc.vn, leading into screening, pitching, mentorship, finals, and investor matchmaking rounds.
Winning teams will receive cash awards and incubation packages under the UII Sandbox Program, alongside startup support services worth over VND14 billion ($539,176). Qualifying startups will gain access to investment consideration from Expara SEA Ventures VI, offering funding commitments starting from VND2.6 billion ($100,132), as well as enrollment in the Expara Academy training program valued at VND156 million ($6,000) per team.
The initiative comes as Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector continues its strong momentum. During the first nine months of 2026, international arrivals reached over 8.5 million - up 34.5 percent year-on-year and fulfilling 77.4 percent of the annual target. Total tourism revenue reached VND282.7 trillion ($10.9 billion), representing a 43.4 percent year-on-year surge and achieving 85.7 percent of the full-year plan.
Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, highlighted that having achieved over 70 percent of all key annual targets within nine months, the industry is well-positioned for a strong push during the final quarter’s peak travel season.
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