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Beyond being a destination for global cultural icons and entertainment trends, South Korea is striving to redefine the concept of "meetings and incentives" through unprecedented privileges. In 2026, KTO (Korea Tourism Organization) Vietnam marked its impressive return by announcing a multi-tiered support policy specifically for the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment. From direct cash subsidies to unique experiences, this campaign affirms the "red carpet" spirit that the Korean government is offering to Vietnamese travel agencies and businesses, opening a new chapter for journeys to the Land of the Morning Calm.
According to the latest information from KTO Vietnam, the direct beneficiaries of this policy include two main groups: incentive travel groups sponsored by businesses and groups attending conferences, seminars, or exhibitions. To qualify for these preferential packages, groups must ensure a minimum stay of two nights in South Korea. In particular, for in-depth seminar programs, a minimum of four hours of meetings is mandatory throughout the schedule. This demonstrates South Korea's clear focus on attracting high-spending business travelers with long stays.
South Korea continues to assert its attractiveness to the Vietnamese MICE market in 2026.
A notable new development in 2026 is the expansion of support for cruise tourism. KTO has flexibly divided the incentives into two forms: if guests only stay on the ship, South Korea will provide souvenirs with significant cultural value; however, if the group has a land stay of two nights or more, all standard support items will be fully applied. However, organizations without legal status, such as religious groups, student groups, or informal clubs, will not be included in this program.
The appeal of the 2026 Korea MICE support package lies in its highly detailed tiered support system based on the number of guests. For small groups of 10 to 50 guests, KTO prioritizes providing exquisite souvenirs. When the group size increases to over 50 people, businesses have the option of choosing between souvenirs or tickets to special attractions and performances. The support package truly explodes for large groups of 301 guests or more, where the direct support budget can reach 40,000 KRW per person for groups exceeding 2,000 guests. This is an impressive figure that significantly reduces the cost of organizing overseas events for businesses.
Beyond basic support, KTO also encourages sustainable and upscale tourism through preferential upgrade conditions. Businesses will receive higher-level privileges if they choose to stay in areas outside Seoul, such as Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, or Jeju Island. Staying at 5-star hotels throughout the itinerary or holding Gala Dinners in unique event venues is also key to enhancing the tour group's experience and receiving maximum support from the Korean government.
The MICE support policy 2026 specifically encourages groups to stay in areas outside of Seoul.
The application process for the 2026 support program has been simplified to facilitate travel companies. Accordingly, the responsible unit only needs to forward the request to the KTO branch in Vietnam. After the application, including the English application form, detailed itinerary, and group list, is received, the KTO overseas office will classify the applications and submit them to headquarters for approval. An important note for businesses is that applications must be submitted before the departure date to ensure a smooth assessment process. With the deadline for entry into the country reaching January 10, 2026, this is a golden opportunity for businesses to start planning employee and partner reward campaigns.
