Co-organised by Travellive Media Group, a homegrown Vietnamese media brand since 2003, and The Brand Promise, global boutique branding firm with headquarter in Ho Chi Minh City, The Insiders Forum Hanoi has successfully concluded on the 07 January 2026 at Sheraton Hanoi West, bringing together more than 300 industry leaders, policymakers, diplomats, and practitioners for a for a day rich in insights, collaboration, and visionary discussions on Vietnam’s tourism landscape. The forum is part of HOTLIST Travellive Editor’s Pick 2025, an annual industry program curated by Travellive in recognition of outstanding brands, individuals, and initiatives shaping Vietnam’s tourism and travel landscape.
From Seed to Harvest: Cultivating long-term industry value
This year, the HOTLIST program continues its journey to spotlight brands and individuals driving progress in Vietnam’s tourism sector, through an independent evaluation process conducted by Travellive and a panel of expert advisors. Within this journey, The Insiders Forum marks the second consecutive year of collaboration between Travellive and The Brand Promise, expanding to two editions across Vietnam and reinforcing its role as a nationally aligned platform supporting long-term, sector-wide development within the tourism ecosystem.
Under the theme “The Journey from Seed to Harvest,” HOTLIST 2025 draws inspiration from the symbolism of the rice grain, representing resilience, care, and long-term transformation. This theme frames The Insiders Forum 2025 as a platform to examine how Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality industry is preparing for its next phase of development, advancing the conversation on Vietnam’s Next-Gen Travel by exploring internal transformation across operations, strategy, and leadership in key sectors including luxury services, aviation, human resources, organisational development, and sustainable growth.
Opening the national journey at the heart of Vietnam, the forum brought together perspectives from across the ecosystem, including international viewpoints that place Vietnam’s growth within a broader regional and global context. The event was honored to present insights from H.E. Mr. Poshitha Perera, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to Vietnam, and H.E. Mr. Korhan Kemik, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Türkiye to Vietnam, the forum’s international dimension, contributing global perspectives from their respective tourism landscapes and offering reference points for Vietnam’s ongoing growth and development.
The program also reflected on Travellive’s 23-year journey alongside the industry, tracing its evolution from early foundations to a mature, influential platform shaping travel and lifestyle narratives in Vietnam.
Shaping the strategic dialogue across the industry
Building on these perspectives, The Insiders Forum Hanoi served as a platform for multi-layered discussion across key themes shaping the industry today. These included shifts in luxury and the experience economy, aviation connectivity and new flight roadmaps, human capital development, heritage-led operations, as well as wellness and medical tourism.
The forum featured keynote presentations and panel discussions designed to connect strategy with on-the-ground realities, encouraging participants to examine how global trends translate into local action.
The Insiders Forum Hanoi brought together leaders and decision-makers from core sectors of Vietnam’s tourism industry, including:
- Mr. Kenneth Atkinson OBE – Pham Kien Son – Founder & Senior Board Advisor, Grant Thornton Vietnam; Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board; Board member of British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam
- Ms. Vu Thanh Thuy – International Cooperation Expert
- Ms. Hildegard Anzenberger – General Manager. Capella Hanoi
- Mr. Alfredo Aguirre Corcoles – Material & Operation Consultant, H2X Studio
- Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc – Director of Food and Beverage cum Director of Operations, BIM Group – Hospitality
- Mr. Nguyen Cao Son – Chairman, APC Corporation
- Mr. Ben Chang – General Manager, STARLUX Airlines Vietnam Branch
- Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Huy – Climate Change Research Expert
- Dr. Pham Ha – Chairman & CEO, LuxGroup
- Mr. Luong Ngoc Khanh – Co-Founder & Managing Director, H&K Hospitality
- Mr. Thinh Phan – General Manager, Garrya Mù Cang Chải
- Dr. Do Tran Phuong – Cultural Tourism & Heritage Expert; Vice Head of Tourism Faculty, Hanoi University of Culture
- Ms. Hanh Ngo – Country HR Lead, Indochina & South Korea, IHG
- Mr. Bobby Nguyen – Founder & Chairman, Rustic Hospitality Group; Product Development & Innovative Manager of Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development
- Ms. Minh Nguyen – Director of Human Resources, The Ascott Vietnam, Cambodia & Myanmar
- Ms. Camellia Dinh – Founder & CEO, The Brand Promise
- Ms. Annie Vu – Co-Founder & CEO, Tubudd
- Mr. Mario Mendis – General Manager, Fusion Resort & Villas Danang
- Ms. Cate Mercer – Editor, The Art of Healing
- Mr. Trung Dang – Co-Founder, Greenfield Dental
The next chapter in Ho Chi Minh City
Under the same overarching theme, Ho Chi Minh City edition will take place in Vietnam’s leading economic and international gateway, embodying the city’s role as the hub of market insight, destination connectivity, and commercial momentum. The discussions explore how destinations and businesses respond to evolving travel trends, strengthen destination marketing, and design integrated customer experiences through collaboration, capability building, and experience-driven strategies.
HOTLIST 2025 journey will continue on 19 January 2026 at JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon, where The Insiders Forum Ho Chi Minh City will take place alongside the night of The Honor Ceremony.
On the afternoon of 07 January 2026, The Insiders Forum Hanoi took place at Sheraton Hanoi West, co-organised by Travellive Media Group and The Brand Promise, with media partner Hotelier Vietnam, media sponsor PR Newswire, and gift sponsor Cocoon Vietnam, contributing to a cohesive and professionally delivered industry gathering.
Travellive Media Group
Travellive Media Group is a Vietnamese media organization founded in 2003, recognized for its long-standing contribution to the country’s travel, tourism, and lifestyle landscape. With a strong editorial foundation and deep industry engagement, Travellive has established itself as a trusted platform connecting destinations, brands, and audiences through carefully curated content and industry-led initiatives.
The Brand Promise
The Brand Promise is a global boutique branding firm with headquarter in Ho Chi Minh City, dedicated to authentic storytelling, strategic growth, and impactful partnerships across industries. Our commitment to evolving quality standards and nurturing communities of hand-picked, like-minded and long-lasting partners ensures that every promise made is honored through our dedication to excellence and shared dedication to turn potential into reality.
Press Contacts
The Brand Promise
Louise Linh Pham (Ms.)
louise@camelliadinh.com
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 