(TITC) – The 7th ACMECS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting was held on 27 August 2026, in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together Ministers and Heads of Delegation from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. The meeting reviewed the implementation of the ACMECS Tourism Cooperation Action Plan for 2025-2026 and discussed orientations for tourism cooperation for 2026-2028.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Maung Myint, Minister of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Ms. Lam Thi Phuong Thanh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The Ministers reviewed progress in implementing the ACMECS Tourism Cooperation Action Plan for 2025-2026, discussed achievements and areas requiring further action, and considered the Action Plan for 2026-2028. Key areas of cooperation include tourism promotion and marketing, information sharing, human resource development and tourism product development.
Speaking at the meeting, MOCST’s Minister Lam Thi Phuong Thanh said Vietnam has continued to actively implement activities under the ACMECS Tourism Cooperation Action Plan for 2025-2026. Viet Nam has hosted several regional and international tourism activities and events, providing platforms for sharing experience in sustainable tourism development, digital transformation, green transition and tourism human resource development.
Alongside hosting cooperative activities, Vietnam has actively participated in programmes organised by ACMECS countries and Mekong partners, including training and capacity-building programmes, festivals and other tourism-related activities. These initiatives have contributed to experience sharing in service quality improvement, skills development and creative tourism. Vietnam has also continued to promote tourism in ACMECS member countries through the official website and digital communication channels of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, while regularly updating information on markets, tourism statistics and major regional tourism events.
Reviewing cooperation outcomes for 2025-2026, Vietnam noted that ACMECS members had maintained a range of joint activities in priority areas, particularly tourism promotion, information exchange and human resource development. However, implementation has remained uneven across areas, with some activities overlapping with other subregional cooperation mechanisms, while resources specifically allocated to ACMECS tourism cooperation remain limited and fragmented.
Based on this assessment, Vietnam expressed support for the priorities set out in the ACMECS Tourism Cooperation Action Plan for 2026-2028, while calling for greater focus on two areas capable of delivering tangible results: tourism promotion and marketing, and tourism product development. Vietnam reaffirmed its readiness to continue serving as the focal point for tourism product development.
In the coming period, Vietnam plans to study and develop initiatives to strengthen the ACMECS destination image, including river-based tourism products and tourism routes and corridors linking ecotourism, cultural heritage and culinary experiences among member countries. These initiatives are expected to contribute to advancing the vision of “Five countries, One destination”. Vietnam expressed its wish to work closely with the National Tourism Authorities of ACMECS member countries to implement practical and effective initiatives that create new tourism products and experiences for travellers.
The Ministers noted that tourism in the ACMECS region continued its strong recovery, welcoming approximately 65.27 million visitor arrivals and generating around US$94.08 billion in tourism revenue in 2025. In the first six months of 2026, ACMECS member countries received approximately 33.08 million international arrivals, including around 4.25 million intra-ACMECS visitors, accounting for 12.85% of total international arrivals.
The meeting adopted the ACMECS Tourism Cooperation Action Plan for 2026-2028 as the framework guiding regional tourism cooperation over the next three years, while encouraging the designated leading countries to effectively implement assigned activities. The Ministers also welcomed proposed initiatives to strengthen tourism cooperation through the joint promotional campaign “Five countries, One destination” among ACMECS countries.
The meeting further adopted the report on the outcomes of the 7th ACMECS Tourism Senior Officials’ Meeting, held on 26 August 2026, under Myanmar’s chairmanship.
The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional tourism linkages through sustainable, inclusive, resilient and innovative tourism development; enhanced connectivity and travel facilitation; digital transformation and smart tourism; support for ecotourism, community-based tourism and cultural tourism; greater tourism security and safety; human resource development; and joint tourism promotion and marketing under the “Five countries, One destination” concept.
Vietnam’s hosting of the 7th ACMECS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City contributed to strengthening connections among tourism authorities and promoting cooperation in tourism marketing, promotion and product development among the five member countries. The meeting also provided an opportunity for Vietnam to reaffirm its proactive and constructive role in Mekong tourism cooperation, while showcasing its tourism image, destinations and potential to international partners.
The Ministers expressed their appreciation to Vietnam for hosting the meeting and commended the country for its thorough preparations and warm hospitality.
Under the rotating chairmanship mechanism, Thailand will host the 8th ACMECS Tourism Senior Officials’ Meeting and the 8th ACMECS Tourism Ministers’ Meeting.
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