Can Tho
Mekong Smile is participating in the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026, held on October 13-14 at Kingwood Hotel in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. The regional gathering brings together tourism professionals from across Southeast Asia to exchange knowledge, strengthen professional connections, and explore the future of tourist guiding.
Representing Mekong Smile, Mr. Ngô Minh Đức Uy (Jimmy), Inbound Market Development Director, is attending the conference to connect with regional tourism professionals, learn from international perspectives, and share a commitment to meaningful, culturally rich travel experiences.
Connecting Tourism Professionals Across Southeast Asia
Organized by the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association (SkTGA), in collaboration with the Malaysian Tourist Guides Council (MTGC) and supported by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the conference provides a platform for professional development and regional cooperation.
One of the program’s central discussions, “One Region, Many Stories – The Future of Tourist Guiding in Southeast Asia,” highlights the importance of local knowledge and cultural storytelling in shaping how visitors experience a destination.
The conference also features presentations on urban storytelling and anthropological perspectives in tourist guiding, encouraging tourism professionals to look beyond historical facts and help travelers understand the people, traditions, and communities behind each destination.
These conversations reflect an important part of the guiding profession: connecting visitors with the cultural identity of a place while respecting the communities that call it home.
Exploring Sustainable Tourism and the Future of Tourist Guiding
The two-day conference addresses several topics shaping tourism across Southeast Asia, including gastronomy, creative industries, sustainable tourism, and professional skills.
The October 14 program includes presentations on “Tour Guiding on Gastronomy & Creative Industry,” “Sustainable Tourism,” and “The Tourist Guide of Tomorrow: New Skills for a New Tourism Era.” Workshops are also part of the program, offering opportunities for further professional exchange.
Beyond the conference sessions, the program also offers opportunities to explore Sarawak’s cultural heritage through activities such as the Sibu Heritage Walk and a visit to an Iban longhouse. These experiences introduce participants to local traditions, community life, and the cultural diversity that makes Sarawak a distinctive destination.
Together, the program highlights how the role of tourist guides continues to evolve, combining destination knowledge with communication skills, cultural sensitivity, and responsible tourism practices.
Strengthening Mekong Smile’s Regional Connections
For Mekong Smile, participating in the conference is an opportunity to engage with tourism professionals from neighboring countries and gain fresh perspectives on delivering meaningful travel experiences.
Based in Can Tho, Vietnam, Mekong Smile focuses on introducing international travelers to the culture, everyday life, and natural landscapes of the Mekong Delta. From river traditions and local cuisine to community-based experiences, the company aims to help visitors discover the region through genuine connections with local people.
This approach is closely aligned with the conference’s emphasis on cultural interpretation and sustainable tourism.
Through his participation, Mr. Ngô Minh Đức Uy (Jimmy) hopes to strengthen regional connections, exchange professional knowledge, and explore ideas that can contribute to Mekong Smile’s ongoing efforts to improve tour guiding and travel experiences.
The conference also provides an opportunity to introduce the distinctive cultural heritage of Vietnam’s Mekong Delta to a wider network of Southeast Asian tourism professionals.
Bringing Local Stories to International Travelers
Every destination has stories worth sharing, and knowledgeable guides play an essential role in bringing those stories to life.
By joining the 3rd Southeast Asian Tourist Guides Conference 2026, Mekong Smile reaffirms its commitment to professional development, cultural understanding, and responsible tourism.
As the company continues to welcome international visitors to southern Vietnam, these regional exchanges form part of its broader efforts to create travel experiences that connect people, celebrate local heritage, and support the communities behind each journey.
Learn more about Mekong Smile and our approach to cultural and community-based tourism in the Mekong Delta.
