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In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa – Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Board of Members of Saigontourist Group – emphasized:

"Today’s seminar is more than just a professional event; it carries profound political and economic significance for Saigontourist Group. This is the moment for a comprehensive review of our current development model to establish a strategic vision toward 2035, aligning with the directives of the Party, State, and Ho Chi Minh City on the leading role of state-owned enterprises in spearheading economic sectors."

According to the Chairwoman, amid intensifying global competition, transformation is no longer an option but a mandatory requirement for major corporations: "Transformation here is not just digital; it is a shift in management mindset, organizational models, value creation, and the role of the enterprise within the ecosystem. If we do not change, we will fall behind—even from a leading position."

High-Level Expertise: Insights from Leading Speakers

Within the framework of the seminar, delegates followed a series of in-depth presentations on core pillars of Saigontourist Group’s development strategy through 2035. Experts analyzed global and domestic tourism trends for the next 10–15 years; assessed the competitive edge and systemic bottlenecks of the Group; and provided strategic recommendations on digital transformation, green-sustainable tourism, human resource development, and corporate governance innovation.

Distinguished speakers included:

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hoang Ngan: A leading Vietnamese economist, National Assembly member, and member of the National Monetary and Financial Policy Advisory Council. He has extensive experience in socio-economic policy advisory, particularly in state-owned sectors, public investment, and sustainable growth.

• Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan: President of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-HCM), a premier institution for social sciences and tourism research. She is an expert in sustainable tourism, cultural economics, and destination branding.

• Ms. Jessie F. McComb (M.A.): An independent consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with nearly 20 years of experience across 30 countries, specializing in strategic planning for tourism destinations and cultural industries.

• Mr. John Low: Managing Director at Roland Berger Southeast Asia. With over 20 years of experience, he has advised governments and global corporations on national tourism strategies, growth model transformation, and global competitiveness.

The presentations were followed by an open panel discussion: “From International Trends to Local Action: What are the Right Directions for Vietnam and Saigontourist Group?”, featuring direct dialogue between experts and corporate leaders.

The Leading Pillar of Vietnam’s Tourism Industry

During the seminar, experts reaffirmed that Saigontourist Group is a rare enterprise in Vietnam with the scale, ecosystem, and brand equity to serve as a "leading pillar" for national tourism development—not only for corporate growth but for the mission of fostering a sustainable model for the entire industry.

For over half a century, Saigontourist Group has been a trailblazer, leading the development of Ho Chi Minh City's tourism. The Group has pioneered signature products ranging from cultural and historical tours to culinary, river, and MICE tourism. From 2020 to 2025, the Group was entrusted by city leaders to lead regional tourism linkages between HCMC and provinces across Vietnam.

Furthermore, Saigontourist Group actively promotes its brand at prestigious domestic and international travel fairs. The Group is consistently chosen to host major national and international events, thanks to its long-standing reputation, expertise in receiving high-level delegations, and the international standard of its luxury properties located in prime city-center locations.

Vision 2035: Green, Smart, and Integrated

Concluding the seminar, Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa affirmed:

“Saigontourist Group did not organize this seminar just to produce another report, but to pose big questions to ourselves. These insights will be vital inputs for our Strategic Development Scheme to 2035—aiming for comprehensive transformation, substantive breakthroughs, and sustainable growth, worthy of our role as the flagship state-owned enterprise in Vietnam’s tourism industry.”

About Saigontourist Group: Established on August 1, 1975, Saigontourist Group is Vietnam’s leading tourism corporation. It currently manages over 100 units, including hotels, resorts, restaurants, travel agencies, theme parks, tourism training schools, exhibition centers, golf courses, and cable television.