Xin chao! Greetings! Kataura here. Today, we will be taking a look at Ho Chi Minh’s largest exhibition and convention center, SECC (Saigon Exhibition Convention Center). 

Facility Overview

SECC completed construction for the first term of its development plan. The plan is comprised of offices, hotels, convention centers as well as 4 exhibition halls, adding up to a total floor space of approximately 200,000 sqm (2,152,782 sq ft). The current open space consists of the approximately 9,000 sqm (96,875 sq ft) Exhibition Hall A and the 6,000 sqm (64,583 sq ft) outdoor area, conference hall, meeting room, café and restaurant. When I spoke to a SECC staff member, they told me that the completion date for the rest of the facility was still pending. The proposed area for the hotel was still thick with trees. 

Incidentally, Japan’s largest convention center, Tokyo Big Site’s indoor exhibition hall is 95,420 sqm (1,027,092 sq ft). East 1 Hall is 8,760 sqm (94,291 sq ft), making exhibition Hall A roughly the same size. 

The 1st floor is the exhibition hall, and the 2nd floor is the conference hall. The 530 sqm hall is elliptically-shaped and theater style (seated arrangement), being able to hold 500 guests.

The 3rd floor has large and small conference rooms which can be used for meetings or parties. Companies utilize these rooms to hold seminars and parties in order to have private discussions with customers.

Transportation Methods to SECC

Urban transit is still developing within Ho Chi Minh city, and the main method of transportation is by car. According to a survey we did in May 2017, about half of the people who answered said they used a private or personal vehicle to come to the venue, whereas about 20% used a motorbike. There were about 500 parked cars (1,300 motorbikes), and the parking lot would look like this during the sessions.



For business trips, taxis are most convenient from the hotels, otherwise Grab taxi or Uber are convenient. I attempted to use Uber this time.

When you search from a dispatch app, a picture of the nearest driver will be displayed. My driver was very kind. You receive the receipt by email.

SECC: the Standard International Exhibition Hall

The 6m-pitch (19.685 ft) utility pit is equipped with electrical power, information, and sanitary equipment, offering a variety of support for exhibition-related matters.

*Utility Pit

There is also free Wi-fi and a business center for peace of mind.

Lunch During the Event

I’ll introduce some several lunch areas while prepping for the events or when sessions are in-progress. There is a simple rest area space within the venue where drinks and light meals are prepared. It’s convenient not only for lunch, but also for small get-togethers, PC work and the like. 

Hola Vietnam is a café inside SECC. It has a very nice atmosphere where you can eat a chic lunch. (I haven’t gone in, so it’s my guess.)

The place I often go to is a 1-minute walk from SECC, a restaurant chain called “PHO24.”

 In the everlasting summer of Ho Chi Minh, you can always enjoy a cool lunch here. (I’m heat-sensitive, so lots of points for the super effective A/C.) No doubt, eating Vietnamese pho in a breezy place is the best. By the way, the bank and ATM are also nearby, so it’s super convenient if you’re already having lunch in the area. 

 

Convenient Accommodations!

Mr. Phi, my local partner in Vietnam, recommended Ibis Saigon South Hotel. SECC is within walking distance so it’s immensely convenient.
 
If I had to say for myself, so far I’ve chosen hotels located in Ho Chi Minh’s city center. For 4-star accommodations, I have stayed at Bay Hotel Ho Chi Minh and Royal Hotel Saigon (Kimdo Hotel). Either had great locations, service, and prices—hotels with a good balance. This time I chose Dragon Palace 3 Hotel “to more deeply experience Ho Chi Minh.” 

It’s located in the backpacker’s area so the nights were very lively.I personally didn’t feel any sense of danger, but I wouldn’t recommend it for women. When I changed clothes, I was startled when my and the person living next door’s eyes met. Of course, if you close the curtains there would be no problem. The toilets and showers are shared, and when you shower the toilet sparkles (gets soaked). It’s a compact, convenient hotel.

By the way, the taxi from Ho Chi Minh’s city center to SECC is about 20 minutes. 

Conclusion

Every time, I feel that that participating in an exhibition in Ho Chi Minh is, for the most part, not so different from in Japan. SECC is not yet entirely completed, but all the halls and building are prepared so business will also speed up, and it seems like it will become a more and more lively city. Next time in Ho Chi Minh, work with this Nuoc Mam! I promise we will have rich business and rich travels.