In short: From November 2026 to September 2027, Ho Chi Minh City hosts two big marathons (6 December and 17 January), Tết on Saturday 6 February 2027, and a steady run of trade fairs at SECC in District 7. Below is every confirmed date, month by month, with official sources and how far each venue is from Thảo Điền.
You have a flight to book, a hotel to choose and maybe a race bib or a trade-fair badge waiting for you. The hard part is knowing which dates are real. Many event lists online repeat last year’s dates or guess the next ones. This calendar only lists events we could confirm on the organiser’s own website or in reputable Vietnamese press, and it keeps the “probably, but not announced yet” events in a separate list. It also shows where each event happens, so you can plan where to stay and when to rest.
The calendar at a glance
Every row below is confirmed by an official source, checked on 4 November 2026. Dates can still move, so check again with the organisers close to the day. “From Thảo Điền” is a rough guide for anyone staying in or visiting Thảo Điền, the leafy riverside neighbourhood in the east of the city.
| Month | Event | Dates | Where | From Thảo Điền |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2026 | International Vegetarian Conference (IVC 2026) | 5–6 Nov | Friendship Tower, 31 Lê Duẩn; University of Social Sciences and Humanities | City centre, fairly close |
| Nov 2026 | Vietnam Foodexpo | 11–14 Nov | SECC, District 7 | Far |
| Dec 2026 | Vietnam Expo HCMC | 3–5 Dec | SECC, District 7 | Far |
| Dec 2026 | Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon | Race day Sun 6 Dec (5 km and Kids Run on 5 Dec) | Start: Lê Duẩn – Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm, District 1 | City centre, fairly close |
| Jan 2027 | HCMC Marathon (Eximbank) | Sun 17 Jan | Start and finish: 30/4 Park, Lê Duẩn | City centre, fairly close |
| Feb 2027 | Tết (Lunar New Year) | New Year’s Eve 5 Feb; first day Sat 6 Feb | Citywide | Everywhere |
| Feb–Mar 2027 | VIFA EXPO (furniture and home decor) | 26 Feb – 1 Mar | WTC Expo (Bình Dương) and SKY Expo, not SECC | Far |
| Mar 2027 | HawaExpo (furniture and wood) | 3–6 Mar | SECC, District 7 | Far |
| Apr 2027 | SaigonTex (textile and garment) | 7–10 Apr | SECC, District 7 | Far |
| Apr 2027 | Run To Live | Race day Sun 11 Apr | 2027 venue not yet announced | Check closer to the date |
| May 2027 | Cafe Show Vietnam | 6–8 May | Hall A, SECC, District 7 | Far |
| May 2027 | Vesak (Buddha’s Birthday) | Thu 20 May | Pagodas across the city | Everywhere |
| Jul 2027 | MTA Vietnam (machine tools and metalworking) | 6–9 Jul | SECC, District 7 | Far |
| Aug 2027 | InnoEx (innovation and startups) | 19–20 Aug | Thiskyhall Sala, Thủ Thiêm | Close |
| Sep 2027 | ITE HCMC (travel expo) | 9–11 Sep | SECC, District 7 | Far |
November–December 2026: food, trade and the first big race
International Vegetarian Conference, 5–6 November. Day one is at Friendship Tower on Lê Duẩn, day two at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, according to the International Vegetarian Union. Eating plant-based while you are here? See our guide to vegan travel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam Foodexpo, 11–14 November. The country’s big food and beverage trade fair, at SECC in District 7 (foodexpo.vn). Vietnam Expo HCMC, 3–5 December, is a broad international trade fair at the same venue (official site). Our guide to trade fairs at SECC covers long show days, getting around District 7 and how to rest in the evening.
Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, Sunday 6 December. The ninth edition runs from 4 to 6 December, with the 5 km and Kids Run on the afternoon of Saturday 5 December and the main races starting at 3:30 on Sunday from the corner of Lê Duẩn and Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm (marathonhcmc.com). The finish area for 2026 has not been announced yet. Running it? Read our Techcombank Marathon recovery plan, from arrival day to the flight home.
January–March 2027: a January marathon, Tết and the furniture fairs
HCMC Marathon, Sunday 17 January. The city’s other big race, sponsored by Eximbank, starts and finishes at 30/4 Park on Lê Duẩn (hcmcmarathon.com). Our HCMC Marathon 2027 recovery guide has a plan for before and after the race.
Tết, Saturday 6 February. The Lunar New Year of 2027 begins on Saturday 6 February, with New Year’s Eve on the night of Friday 5 February. It is the biggest holiday of the year: many shops and restaurants close for several days and the city goes quiet. The Nguyễn Huệ flower street schedule for 2027 has not been announced yet. If you are flying in around these dates, book transport early. Our Tết 2027 visitor guide covers jet lag and quiet days.
VIFA EXPO, 26 February – 1 March. The furniture and home decor fair is held at WTC Expo in Bình Dương and SKY Expo, not at SECC (vifafair.com). HawaExpo, 3–6 March, follows straight after at SECC (hawaexpo.com), so many furniture buyers stay for both. Our VIFA EXPO and HawaExpo buyer guide has a 7-day plan.
April–September 2027: textiles, coffee, Vesak and more fairs
SaigonTex, 7–10 April. Vietnam’s textile and garment industry expo at SECC (saigontex.com.vn); see our SaigonTex 2027 visitor guide. Run To Live, Sunday 11 April, offers 21 km, 10 km and 5 km races (runtolive.vn); the 2027 venue has not been announced, so check before you book a hotel. Our Run To Live 2027 recovery guide covers heat and soreness.
Cafe Show Vietnam, 6–8 May. The coffee, tea and bakery show fills Hall A at SECC (cafeshow.com.vn); see our Cafe Show Vietnam 2027 guide. Vesak, Thursday 20 May, falls on the full moon of the fourth lunar month. Pagodas across the city hold ceremonies, usually over several days around the full moon. Read our Vesak 2027 guide.
MTA Vietnam, 6–9 July. The machine tools and metalworking show at SECC (mtavietnam.com); see our MTA Vietnam 2027 visitor guide. InnoEx, 19–20 August, brings startups and innovation teams to Thiskyhall Sala in Thủ Thiêm, close to Thảo Điền (innoex.vn; our InnoEx 2027 guide); the 2027 dates appear only on the site banner, so check again nearer the time. ITE HCMC, 9–11 September, the international travel expo, returns to SECC (itehcmc.travel) — see our ITE HCMC 2027 guide for travel professionals.
Expected, waiting for official dates
These events happen most years, but no 2027 dates have been announced. We will add them to the calendar above once the organisers confirm.
- Ho Chi Minh City Áo Dài Festival. Usually in March. In 2026 it ran through the month and opened on 6 March on Nguyễn Huệ walking street (SGGP). No 2027 date yet.
- Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Day. Usually in early April. The 2026 edition ran 2–5 April at 23/9 Park (Lao Động). No 2027 date yet.
- Vietnam International Fashion Week. Usually in June. In 2026 it was held in June at Nguyễn Du Gymnasium (VOV). No 2027 date yet.
- International Day of Yoga. The international day is 21 June; in 2025 the city celebrated it on that day on Nguyễn Huệ (Consulate General of India). The date of the 2027 event has not been announced, and in some years it moved.
Planning tips for event travellers
- Stay close to where you need to be. SECC is in District 7, in the south; marathons start in District 1; Thảo Điền is in the east. A Grab ride from District 7 to Thảo Điền takes around 60 minutes depending on the time of day, so a fair-goer staying in Thảo Điền should plan the commute, or come over in the evening or on the last day.
- Use the metro for the centre. Metro Line 1 has a Thảo Điền station on its way into the city centre.
- Expect road closures on race mornings. Marathons close central roads from very early morning; check the organiser’s route map before you book a ride.
- Give your body a day. If you fly in across several time zones, our jet lag guide and early arrival guide help you land well; for the final day, see your last day before a late-night flight.
- Free evening? Try things to do in Saigon at night or things to do in Thảo Điền.
Rest between the big days
After a marathon or three days on a trade-fair floor, your legs and your head both need a real break. Ōmni Space, at 16C Quốc Hương in Thảo Điền, offers private float rooms, an infrared sauna with red light and a cold plunge, open 9:00–21:00 every day with the last float starting at 20:00. Most guests say their legs and body feel lighter straight after a float, and float for stress is rated Strong evidence on our Ōmni Evidence Scale. Runners can follow our recovery guide for runners or try sauna and cold plunge contrast therapy. Flying out the same day? We keep up to 4 suitcases while you float. Event weekends fill up, so book ahead.
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When is the Techcombank Marathon in Ho Chi Minh City in 2026?
The main race day is Sunday 6 December 2026, starting at 3:30 from Lê Duẩn – Nguyễn Bỉnh Khiêm in District 1. The 5 km and Kids Run are on the afternoon of Saturday 5 December.
When is Tết 2027?
The first day of the Lunar New Year is Saturday 6 February 2027, with New Year’s Eve on the night of Friday 5 February. Expect many businesses to close for several days around it.
Which trade fairs are at SECC in 2026 and 2027?
Confirmed so far: Vietnam Foodexpo (11–14 November 2026), Vietnam Expo (3–5 December 2026), HawaExpo (3–6 March 2027), SaigonTex (7–10 April 2027), Cafe Show (6–8 May 2027), MTA Vietnam (6–9 July 2027) and ITE HCMC (9–11 September 2027).
How far is Thảo Điền from SECC in District 7?
Around 60 minutes by Grab, depending on the time of day. If you stay in Thảo Điền during a fair, plan your commute or come back for the evening.
Written by the team at Ōmni Space – Float Saigon in Thảo Điền. Event dates checked on official websites and in Vietnamese press; last updated 4 November 2026. Please check with the organisers close to the day.
Sources
- International Vegetarian Union. The International Vegetarian Conference 2026.
- Vietnam Foodexpo, official website.
- Vietnam Expo HCMC, official website.
- Techcombank Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon, official website.
- Viet Nam News. Techcombank HCM City International Marathon to be held in December.
- HCMC Marathon, official website.
- VIFA EXPO, official website.
- HawaExpo, official website.
- SaigonTex, official website.
- Run To Live, official website.
- Cafe Show Vietnam, official website.
- MTA Vietnam, official website.
- InnoEx, official website.
- ITE HCMC, official website.
- VietnamFinance. Metro Bến Thành – Suối Tiên officially opens.