External Publication

Thursday, September 17, 2026

New World Saigon Hotel. 76 Le Lai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Journey Guidelines

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Instructions
To Join The Event

01

Parking Instruction

Self parking (car): The hotel has on-site public parking for a fee, and spaces are limited at peak hours.

Valet (car): Paid valet parking is available at the hotel lobby for both guests and visitors.

Motorbike: Space for non-hotel guests is limited, so use the paid lots on Le Lai or Ton That Tung Street.

Best option: Arrive by taxi or ride hailing (Grab, BE, GreenSM). The venue is in central District 1, where drop-off is easy but parking is tight.

02

Finding the Venue

Enter through the main entrance on the ground floor of New World Saigon Hotel.

Follow the ShopX 2026 signage from the lobby reception.

Take the lift or the stairs up to the event ballroom floor.

03

Check-in Process

Before you travel, save the QR code from your confirmation email.

Present it at the check-in counter to be scanned.

Collect your badge and welcome kit, then explore the AI demo booths run by our sponsor app founders.

Registration opens at 09:00 AM,
and the welcome note begins at
09:30 AM sharp.

Event Agenda

☀️ Morning

09:00 - 9:30

ALL

Check-in & Experience Booths

Badge pickup, coffee, and experience booths from ShopX partners: AI demo, canton fair, etc.

09:30 - 9:40

ALL

Welcome Note

State of Ecom and what to expect from ShopX 2026

9:40 - 10:25

PANEL 1

The BFCM 2026 Playbook

What top D2C brands are spending, testing and shipping before Black Friday and where CRO goes after it.

10:25 - 10:55

PANEL 2

Agentic Ecommerce

AI agents are moving into discovery, checkout and store ops, what Sidekick and MCPs actually change for merchants.

10:55 - 11:30

PANEL 3

AI & Funnel Marketing

Explore how leading brands use AI across the full conversion funnel, from acquisition and CRO to retention, with real-world cases.

11:30 - 12:05

PANEL 4

Inside China Ecommerce

What makes China's ecommerce machine move so fast and how APAC sellers can plug into it.

🌤️ Afternoon

13:30 - 14:10

PANEL 5

AI-Powered POD

From ad click to landing page to post-purchase, building a funnel that adapts to each shopper.

14:15 - 16:30

BUILDATHON

AI Buildathon

Join a team, learn from AI mentors, and build a ready-to-use workflow you can apply to your store the next day.

14:15 - 16:00

AI Mentor

AI Mentor Tables

Get 1:1 guidance from AI and ecommerce experts to discuss challenges, ideas, and real-world opportunities.

16:30 - 17:00

ALL

Awards & Wrap-up

The ShopX 2026 Speakers

The ShopX 2026 Sponsors

Title Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Experience Sponsors

Supporters

Presenting Partner

Media Partners

E-Visa to Vietnam

Prepare Documents

A valid passport (at least 6 months
validity from date of entry)

Scan of passport - Front & Back

Profile photo with white background (detail here)

Hotel booking confirmation

Booking of Flight ticket

Scan of bank statement

Tourism insurance

Online Declaration & Payment

Visit the official e-visa website:
https://evisa.gov.vn/

Fill in the online application form with your personal and travel details

Upload all required documents

Pay the e-visa fee (~$25-$50,
non-refundable)

Track & Receive Results

Processing takes 3-5 working days (apply
at least 15 - 20 working days ahead)

Check your application status on the
e-visa website

Once approved, download and print
your e-visa document

Present it upon arrival in Vietnam
(e-visa is valid up to 90 days)

Before You Travel

Flight & Hotel Confirmation Reminder

Double-check your flight booking. Passenger name must match your passport exactly

Verify your hotel booking confirmation (check-in date, room, number of guests)

Keep printed copies of
your flight and hotel confirmations

Confirm your e-visa status is approved before finalizing your travel plan

Ensure travel insurance covers your full trip (15-19 September)

Complete online check-in 48 hours before departure

Ensure travel insurance covers your full trip (15-19 September)

Packing List

Documents (Passport, visa, booking confirmations, business cards)

Clothes (light and cool for daytime, plus sportswear and sneakers for pickleball, and one smart outfit for the founder dinner)

Phone charger and a
power adapter

Sunscreen and an umbrella (rainy season)

Some cash and a ride-hailing app (Grab, BE, GreenSM)

A local SIM or eSIM for mobile data

Hotels Near Event

Event venue: New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon Food Guide

Food Near Event
Food Must Try

How To Pay

Payment Method

Where to use

Pros

Cons

Tips

Cash (Vietnamese
Dong - VND)

Street food, markets, small shop, taxis

Accepted everywhere,
easy to use

Need to carry cash, risk of counterfeit bills

Use small bills (10K-50K VND) for small purchases

Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)

Hotels, malls, high-end restaurants

Secure, convenient, no need for cash

Not accepted in small stores, some places add a 3% fee

Check if a
surcharge applies before paying

Ride-Hailing App Payments (GrabPay, GreenSMPay, BePay)

Service apps: Grab, GreenSM, Be

No need for cash, tracks expenses

Needs account setup & linked card

Link an international credit card for smooth transactions

How To Travel

Mode

Pros

Cons

Best for

Approx.Cost

Taxis

Safe, convenient, widely available

Can be expensive risk of scams

Airport transfers, short trips

15,000-20,000
VND/km

Ride-Hailing (Grab, GreenSM, Be)

Cheaper than taxis, easy booking

Surge pricing at peak hours

Daily travel, flexible trips

10,000-15,000
VND/km

Public Buses

Cheapest option, many routes

Can be crowded, complex routes

Budget travelers, long distances

7,000-15,000
VND/ride

Motorbike rental

Freedom to explore, affordable

Traffic is a chaotic, requires experience

Adventurous travelers

15,000-20,000
VND/km

Cyclos & Electric Buses

Great for sightseeing

More expensive than walking

Short sightseeing loops around District 1

Agree the fare before you ride

How To Pay

Cash (Vietnamese Dong - VND)

Where to use: Street food, markets, small shop, taxis

Pros: Accepted everywhere, easy to use

Cons: Need to carry cash, risk of counterfeit bills

Tips: Use small bills (10K-50K VND) for small purchases

Credit/Debit Cards
(Visa, Mastercard)

Where to use: Hotels, malls, high-end restaurants

Pros: Secure, convenient, no need for cash

Cons: Not accepted in small stores, some places add a 3% fee

Tips: Check if a surcharge applies before paying

Ride-Hailing App Payments
(GrabPay, GreenSMPay, BePay)

Where to use: Service apps: Grab, GreenSM, Be

Pros: No need for cash, tracks expenses

Cons: Needs account setup & linked card

Tips: Link an international credit card for smooth transactions

How To Travel

Taxis

Pros: Safe, convenient, widely available

Cons: Can be expensive risk of scams

Best for: Airport transfers, short trips

Approx.Cost: 15,000-20,000 VND/km

Ride-Hailing (Grab, GreenSM, Be)

Pros: Cheaper than taxis, easy booking

Cons: Surge pricing at peak hours

Best for: Daily travel, flexible trips

Approx.Cost: 10,000-15,000VND/km

Public Buses

Pros: Cheapest option, many routes

Cons: Can be crowded, complex routes

Best for: Budget travelers, long distances

Approx.Cost: 7,000-15,000VND/ride

Motorbike Rental

Pros: Freedom to explore, affordable

Cons: Traffic is a chaotic, requires experience

Best for: Adventurous travelers

Approx.Cost: 100,000-200,000 VND/day

Cyclos & Electric Buses

Pros: Great for sightseeing

Cons: More expensive than walking

Best for: Short sightseeing loops around
District 1

Approx.Cost: Agree the fare before you ride

where to visit

Jade Emperor Pagoda

73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Dakao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

PROMENADE

LANDMARK

Independence Palace

135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Notre Dame
Cathedral of Saigon

Paris Commune Square,
Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

CATHEDRAL

HERITAGE

Saigon Central Post Office

No.2 Paris Commune Square, Saigon,
Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market

Quach Thi Trang Square,
Ben Thanh Ward, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

MARKET

NIGHTLIFE

Bui Vien Walking Street

Ben Thanh Ward, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward,
Ho Chi Minh City

MARKET

MUSEUM

Nha Rong Wharf
Ho Chi Minh Museum

1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Xom Chieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Suoi Tien Theme Park

120 Hanoi Highway (Xa Lo Ha Noi),
Tan Phu Ward, Thu Duc City,
Ho Chi Minh City

THEME PARK

Jade Emperor Pagoda

73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Dakao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

PROMENADE

LANDMARK

Independence Palace

135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Notre Dame
Cathedral of Saigon

Paris Commune Square,
Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

CATHEDRAL

HERITAGE

Saigon Central Post Office

No.2 Paris Commune Square, Saigon,
Ho Chi Minh City

Ben Thanh Market

Quach Thi Trang Square,
Ben Thanh Ward, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

MARKET

NIGHTLIFE

Bui Vien Walking Street

Ben Thanh Ward, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward,
Ho Chi Minh City

MARKET

MUSEUM

Nha Rong Wharf
Ho Chi Minh Museum

1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Xom Chieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Suoi Tien Theme Park

120 Hanoi Highway (Xa Lo Ha Noi),
Tan Phu Ward, Thu Duc City,
Ho Chi Minh City

THEME PARK

PROMENADE

Jade Emperor Pagoda

73 Mai Thi Luu Street, Dakao ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

LANDMARK

Independence Palace

135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, Ben Thanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

CATHEDRAL

Notre Dame
Cathedral of Saigon

Paris Commune Square,
Sai Gon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

HERITAGE

Saigon Central Post Office

No.2 Paris Commune Square, Saigon,
Ho Chi Minh City

MARKET

Ben Thanh Market

Quach Thi Trang Square,
Ben Thanh Ward, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

NIGHTLIFE

Bui Vien Walking Street

Ben Thanh Ward, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City

MARKET

Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Nguyen Hue Street, Ben Nghe Ward,
Ho Chi Minh City

MUSEUM

Nha Rong Wharf
Ho Chi Minh Museum

1 Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, Xom Chieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

THEME PARK

Suoi Tien Theme Park

120 Hanoi Highway (Xa Lo Ha Noi),
Tan Phu Ward, Thu Duc City,
Ho Chi Minh City

Inside 2025

Organizers

Why Saigon

FAQ

Saigon · September 2026 · ShopX is an event series by GemCommerce.

Instructions To Join The Event

Title

Event Agenda

Title

Speakers

Title

Journey Guidelines

InstructionsTo Join The Event

Event Agenda

The ShopX 2026 Speakers

The ShopX 2026 Sponsors

E-Visa to Vietnam

Before You Travel

Hotels Near Event

Saigon Food Guide

How To Pay

How To Travel

How To Pay

How To Travel

where to visit

Instructions
To Join The Event