On November 5, 2024, the esteemed Trinity Forum—the world’s premier convocation for discourse on airport retail—was ceremoniously commenced at the renowned GEM Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

The opening ceremony was a grand assembly of over 400 distinguished guests, high-ranking executives, luminary speakers, and leading authorities in the fields of travel retails and non-aeronautical services, hailing from more than 30 nations. Representatives from the two founding organizations, The Moodie Davitt Report and ACI (ACI World and ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East), were in attendance. 

The event further welcomed the presence of Mr. Le Manh Tung, Director of the Department of Technology and Infrastructure – Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises (CMSC), as well as senior leaders from relevant governmental bodies, departments, and domestic and international enterprises in travel retail and aviation sectors. 

Delegates attended at Trinity Forum 2024

In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hung, Deputy General Director of ACV, emphasized, "Trinity Forum 2024 marks a pivotal milestone, ushering in a vast landscape of collaborative and investment opportunities for our international partners in both aeronautical and non-aeronautical services across Vietnam’s airports. This is especially relevant to high-profile national projects, including Long Thanh International Airport, Terminal 3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and the expansion of Terminal 2 at Noi Bai International Airport. ACV warmly welcomes international partnerships that allow us to learn, adopt, and integrate the most advanced operational practices and cutting-edge technologies, with the goal of elevating our service quality and enhancing passenger experiences."

ACV’s Deputy General Director presented his opening remark at Trinity Forum 2024

The presence of over 50 media partners underscored the high level of public interest, both domestically and internationally. “This event will serve as a springboard for the continued robust growth of Vietnam’s aviation sector, significantly contributing to our socioeconomic development and elevating the position of Vietnamese aviation and travel retail on the global stage,” Mr. Hung affirmed.

On the forum’s first day, discussions drew together prominent experts from the industry, focusing on trends and challenges facing the global aviation landscape. Mr. Thabet Musleh, Chief Retail and Hospitality Officer at Qatar Airways, shared innovative strategies to enhance airport passenger experiences, particularly around the theme, “Pioneering the future of elevated airport experiences” Additionally, sessions on “Creating greater synergies between commercial activities in airport groups organized by ACI.” and “Vision 2034: How will travel retail evolve over the next decade” drew widespread interest and engagement from attendees.

A standout moment was the session, “Transformation of Riyadh airport’s commercial experience,” featuring Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Asaker, Chief Commercial Officer at Riyadh Airports, and Mr. Hugo Vanderschaegh, Director at Altavia Travel Retail, who offered the latest insights into consumer trends at airports worldwide.

From ACV’s side, Mr. Truong Trng Thanh, Deputy Director of Long Thanh International Airport Operational Readiness & Airport Transfer (ORAT) Department shared insights on “How greenfield airports will reshape the future of the airport consumer experience” which sparked keen interest and practical exchanges among participants.

Mr. Truong Trung Thanh, Deputy Director of Long Thanh International Airport Operational Readiness & Airport Transfer (ORAT) Department shared insights at the conference

Long Thanh International Airport, envisioned to become one of the world’s leading aviation hubs, promises to deliver a revolutionary travel experience for passengers. Once fully operational, Long Thanh will have an annual capacity to serve 100 million passengers, expectantly reaching up to 200 million passengers by 2040.

Equipped with advanced cutting-edges technologies such as automated check-in systems, biometric screening, real-time information updates, AI-enabled baggage processing, and elements of traditional cultural heritage, Long Thanh aims to create a seamless, efficient and unforgettable journey for passengers. The airport will serve as not only a crucial gateway for trade but also a significant catalyst for Vietnam’s socio-economic growth. With its extensive capacity and scalability, Long Thanh will meet the growing travel demand while simultaneously elevating Vietnam’s position on the global aviation map.

The forum will continue on November 6, featuring deeper discussions on customer-centric strategies and emerging trends in travel retails and non-aeronautical development.

Highlighted photos from Trinity Forum 2024 – Day 1

Content: Administration Department of ACV

Photo Source: The Moodie Davitt Report