THE PRECURSOR
Since the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2006, which hosted senior officials and CEOs from 21 member nations and territories, Vietnam has emerged as a promising destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. The event was a resounding success, marking a significant milestone for the country in this sector – said Prof. John Quelch, Senior Associate Dean of the US-based Harvard Business School.
In the same year, Taleb Rifai, Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, highlighted Vietnam’s great potential for MICE tourism development. He cited the country’s stunning natural scenery, rich cultural diversity, and adequate infrastructure. However, he stressed the importance of effective marketing and stronger collaboration between airlines, hotels, and other stakeholders to realize this potential fully.
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER
While state agencies like the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) focused on long-term strategies and comprehensive development programs, many DMCs took the lead in pioneering MICE tourism despite limited resources. Indochina Heritage (ICH), established in 2009, exemplifies this proactive spirit and action oriented attitude.
In the same year, the DemirDöküm’s incentive trip to Vietnam accompanied by a conference themed “Vietnam Seyahati 2009” was successfully hosted and therefore marked the start of Indochina Heritage’s career in MICE tourism.
There were even more talks among various government agencies about the potential of MICE tourism and how to tackle the existing issues that hindered the development of a MICE industry. It wasn’t until 2016 that Vietnam hosted its first-ever MICE tourism expo in Danang signaling the sector’s steady growth, but it was the private businesses with their determination who take tremendous effort and played the spearhead role in the market development for Vietnam’s MICE tourism.
Since the 2016 expo, MICE tourism in Vietnam has seen strong and consistent progress. According to industry statistics, MICE now accounts for 60-70% of the total number of visitors, recovering significantly post-pandemic. Cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc have become preferred venues for hosting major events and conferences at both national and regional levels.
WORLDWIDE REPUTATION
In 2020, the Vietnam MICE Tourism Club was established, further advancing the industry’s development. By 2023, the Club had organized another its first MICE Expo.
Meanwhile, Indochina Heritage continued to solidify its reputation globally. While VNAT focuses on securing comprehensive global endorsements such as the WTA (World Travel Awards), Indochina Heritage has maintained a sharp focus on MICE tourism.
This dedication led Indochina Heritage to become the first Vietnamese DMC to win the prestigious Silver Award from Eventex, a globally recognized accolade for event planners and DMCs.
Compliments from clients keep the team extremely busy. Back-to-back and overlapping events filled out the company’s calendar and turn the entire team into a heavy-duty task force. In 2024 alone, the company successfully organized an impressive number of 40 corporate events – a benchmark for any DMC.
While looking into the new year with uncompromising commitment to work quality and growth, all these achievements in 2024 have proudly underscored ICH’s position as a pioneer and flagship in Vietnam’s burgeoning MICE industry.
To welcome the New Year 2025, CEO Kavin Tri Nguyen and the entire Indochina Heritage team would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all suppliers, partners and customers for your constant support. We wish you health and prosperity.
