Ho Chi Minh City Confident in APEC 2027 Preparations with Robust Infrastructure and Human Resources

Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in southern Vietnam, has expressed confidence in its readiness to host key events for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2027, citing robust infrastructure and human resources. The city views this as a crucial opportunity to solidify its position as Vietnam's international economic and trade hub. On September 23, Nguyen Loc Ha, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, met with a delegation from the APEC 2027 National Secretariat. The delegation conducted an on-site survey of facilities and preparations for the 3rd Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM3) and related events. Their inspection covered essential infrastructure, including the airport, transportation routes, conference centers, and accommodation and tourism sites. Notably, prominent 5-star hotels such as the Hilton, Caravelle, and Sheraton, along with the Thisky Hall Convention Center, were part of the survey. Tran Bao Ngoc, Director of the Department of Economic Diplomacy and Deputy Head of the APEC 2027 National Secretariat, emphasized that hosting the APEC Year 2027 is Vietnam's most significant multilateral diplomatic event for that year. The organization is under the close guidance of the Party and State leadership. The hosting demands not only practicality, professionalism, and modernity but also absolute security conforming to international standards, while simultaneously showcasing Vietnam's cultural beauty and unique identity. According to the plan, APEC 2027 activities in Ho Chi Minh City will peak in August 2027. The centerpiece, SOM3, is scheduled to run for 13 days from August 9 to 21, expecting approximately 250-300 delegates and guests daily, with over 80 working group sessions. Additionally, ministerial meetings on Food Security (led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) and on Digital and AI, along with an initiative in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation (led by the Ministry of Science and Technology), will be held concurrently. The city highlighted its advantage of having 39 five-star hotels concentrated in the central area, facilitating easy travel between accommodations and venues. The Thisky Hall Convention Center can accommodate up to 3,600 guests and features flexible function rooms from 50-120 seats, as well as a 700m² garden area suitable for outdoor receptions. Furthermore, the city boasts a wealth of experienced personnel from past high-level international conferences, with ample availability of well-trained liaison officers (LOs) and volunteers (VOs) possessing strong foreign language skills and professional expertise. The city has established a Steering Committee for APEC 2027 Security and Health Assurance. The municipal police are proactively developing a comprehensive plan to ensure absolute safety and order throughout the event. To ensure the highest efficiency in preparations, representatives from city departments requested the National Secretariat and relevant ministries to promptly provide detailed information on the program framework, timelines, delegate numbers, and specific requirements for each conference. The city also seeks agreement on security standards, urban beautification, airport reception protocols, event decoration and publicity on digital platforms, and the design of cultural and tourism experience programs. Ho Chi Minh City anticipates organizing additional side events in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and central agencies to promote culture and tourism, facilitate business connections, and showcase the local innovation ecosystem. Vice Chairman Nguyen Loc Ha affirmed that the city has been proactively reviewing and thoroughly preparing all conditions within its responsibility. Ho Chi Minh City commits to close coordination with the APEC 2027 National Secretariat and central ministries, ready to mobilize maximum resources to ensure the APEC 2027 series of events is successful, professional, and leaves a lasting impression on international friends. Source: Nhan Dan