VIETFISH 2026: Dates, Location, And Where To Stay Nearby

After 27 years, VIETFISH remains Vietnam's largest and most established trade event for the seafood industry, drawing hundreds of domestic and international businesses along with tens of thousands of visitors each edition. It's more than a product showcase — it's the industry's key meeting point for trade, trend updates, and partnerships. If you're preparing to attend VIETFISH 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, this guide covers everything: dates, how to get there, a suggested schedule, and where to stay for a smooth trip.

When And Where Does VIETFISH 2026 Take Place?

VIETFISH 2026 runs from August 19 to 21, 2026 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) — 799 Nguyen Van Linh, Tan My Ward, Ho Chi Minh City. Opening hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM on the first two days (Aug 19–20), with the final day (Aug 21) closing earlier at 4:00 PM.

Organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), VIETFISH 2026 expands its exhibition space to over 14,000 m², covering the Lobby area plus Halls A and B, with around 568 booths from 335 companies across 17 countries and territories including the US, Germany, Italy, Norway, Japan, South Korea, and China. Organizers expect roughly 13,000 visitors. This year's theme is "Innovation – Sustainability."

Who Should Attend?

VIETFISH suits a wide range of attendees, not just seafood industry insiders:

• Seafood processing and export companies looking for partners, distributors, or new markets.
• International importers and buyers sourcing high-quality seafood products from Vietnam.
• Technology, machinery, and equipment suppliers for aquaculture, processing, packaging, and preservation.
• Experts and industry association representatives interested in sustainability trends, ESG, and Net Zero.
• Students, media, and communications professionals looking to understand Vietnam's seafood industry landscape.

Key Sectors And Highlights To Watch

The exhibition floor at VIETFISH 2026 spans the entire seafood value chain, covering these main sectors:

• Fresh and frozen seafood: shrimp, pangasius (tra fish), tuna, squid and octopus, and other seafood.
• Value-added products: dried and canned goods, deep-processed items, convenience and ready-to-eat products — a trend many companies are pushing to sharpen competitiveness.
• Processing, packaging, and preservation machinery and equipment.
• Aquaculture, fishing technology, and support services, including logistics.

Beyond the exhibition floor, a few other highlights of the event:

• A series of industry workshops covering green transition, ESG, the Net Zero roadmap, new international market requirements, and export forecasts.
• The Hosted Buyer program — introduced for the first time this year, connecting Vietnamese businesses directly with international buyers.
• A "Seafood Exports for Vietnamese Consumers" culinary corner featuring cooking demonstrations by chefs from Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, plus product tastings.
• A business matching program that arranges private meetings between companies and potential clients.

How To Register And Prepare

Attending VIETFISH 2026 is generally free, but visitors should register in advance through the event's official website or channels to receive a confirmation code or e-ticket by email. A few tips to prepare:

• Register early to avoid queuing at check-in during peak periods.
• Print your ticket/QR code or save it on your phone for quick entry.
• Bring business cards if your main goal is networking, finding partners, or joining the business matching program.
• If possible, review the floor plan and exhibitor list beforehand to plan your visits efficiently instead of wandering randomly.

Getting To SECC And When To Leave

SECC sits on Nguyen Van Linh Street, an area that typically sees heavy traffic during peak hours — especially before 8:30 AM and in the late afternoon. To avoid traffic jams and leave time to find parking, attendees should:

• Leave before 8:00 AM if you want to arrive right when the exhibition opens at 9:00 AM.
• Consider traveling in the early afternoon (after 1:30 PM) if your schedule is flexible, to avoid the midday peak.
• Prioritize staying near SECC to cut down daily travel time, especially if you're attending all three days.

For a broader overview of the SECC area — getting there, parking, and nearby amenities — check out SECC Exhibitions in Ho Chi Minh City.

A Suggested 3-Day Schedule For Business Travelers

If this trip combines work and leisure, you might find it useful to read What Is Bleisure Travel? for tips on balancing a packed work schedule with personal downtime.

Day 1 (Aug 19): Check in in the morning and rest briefly before heading to SECC in the early afternoon for an overview walk-through of the exhibition floor, identifying the booths to prioritize over the next two days. Use the evening for dinner meetings with partners if you have any lined up.

Day 2 (Aug 20): The core day — arrive early for morning workshops, then spend the afternoon on business matching meetings or working directly at partner booths.

Day 3 (Aug 21): The exhibition closes early at 4:00 PM, making the morning ideal for wrapping up remaining meetings and organizing the contacts/business cards you've collected, before checking out and heading to the airport or back home.

Where To Stay For VIETFISH 2026

Since the schedule for attending the exhibition tends to be packed and spans several consecutive days, choosing accommodation near SECC significantly cuts down on daily travel time, especially during peak traffic on Nguyen Van Linh Street.

CityHouse Bellita is a convenient option for business travelers attending VIETFISH 2026, thanks to its location near SECC. The space is designed for short stays, offering the quiet needed to rest after a packed exhibition schedule. You can read more about why this is an ideal stop near SECC during event and exhibition season.

Beyond Bellita, the CityHouse ecosystem offers many other stay options across Ho Chi Minh City with different styles and price points. You can explore the CityHouse accommodation system or book a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City to find the right fit for your schedule and budget.

Checklist For Visitors And Businesses

• Register in advance and save your confirmation code/e-ticket.
• Bring business cards if you're aiming to network or find partners.
• Review the floor plan and exhibitor list ahead of time to plan your visits.
• Book accommodation near SECC as early as possible, since the area tends to fill up fast during peak exhibition season.
• Fully charge your phone/laptop and bring a portable charger for a day of continuous movement.
• Wear comfortable, presentable clothing suited to a lot of walking in a large exhibition space.
• Plan to leave early or off-peak to avoid traffic on Nguyen Van Linh Street.

Get Ready For VIETFISH 2026

VIETFISH 2026 remains a major meeting point for Vietnam's entire seafood industry, bringing together hundreds of companies and tens of thousands of visitors over three days at SECC. To make the most of the event's packed schedule, preparing well — from registration to transportation to accommodation — will make your trip far more efficient and comfortable.

If you're looking for a place to stay near SECC for VIETFISH 2026, check out rooms at CityHouse Bellita today to secure your stay before peak exhibition season.