As the first-ever Asian host of the International Boxing Federation’s annual convention, The Grand Ho Tram sets the bar for similar events in the future
Brought to you by The Grand Ho Tram
Vietnam’s boxing scene has been growing steadily in recent years, making it a strong contender for the sport in the region.
Amidst the country’s rise in the sport and growing popularity as a tourism destination, the 41st Annual Convention of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) will be held in Vietnam, and in South-east Asia, for the first time.
Scheduled from May 24 to May 28, 2026, the convention will take place at The Grand Ho Tram, following a competitive RFP bidding process held in July 2025. The IBF Annual Convention is a key event that brings together world champions, managers, promoters, and boxing officials from around the globe to discuss regulations, rankings, and the future of professional boxing.
For The Grand Ho Tram, being selected as the official venue sponsor reflects its growing reputation as a venue capable of supporting specialist sporting conventions that require both operational reliability and an international-standard setting.
“Being selected by the IBF affirms the international standards of our facilities and services. We are proud to see Vietnam emerging as a choice destination – not only for tourism, but also as a host for top-tier professional sporting events,” said Walt Power, CEO of The Grand Ho Tram.
Located approximately two hours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Grand Ho Tram is an integrated resort comprising InterContinental Grand Ho Tram, Holiday Inn Resort Ho Tram Beach, and Ixora Ho Tram by Fusion, offering more than 1,250 keys. This scale allows organisers to accommodate delegates, meetings and official functions within a single destination, streamlining logistics for international events.
As the official venue sponsor, The Grand Ho Tram will be hosting the Opening Welcome cocktail, Meet the Champions Event, and Gala dinner.
The resort’s experience in hosting sporting events also factored into the IBF’s decision. It currently stages bi-monthly muay thai, mixed martial arts and kickboxing events,
“Having supported such sporting events in the past, the hotel teams are familiar with the requirements and set up for such events.The ballrooms, outdoor venues and our international hotels (Intercontinental and Holiday Inn) were key consideration factors for the IBF,” said Timothy Tan, vice president of Sales & Marketing, The Grand Ho Tram.
He added that the resort is working with IBF to ensure the participants experience the vibrant culture of Vietnam through the property’s culinary offerings and entertainment options.
With around 300 international delegates expected, the IBF Convention is also expected to benefit Vietnam’s sports and tourism industries.
Lim Song, the organiser’s representative instrumental in bringing the event to Vietnam, added: “The IBF Convention is not just about boxing; it’s a cultural and economic bridge. Our goal is to leverage this event to boost Vietnam’s sports and tourism industries, placing the country at the centre of the world boxing map.”
For more information about what The Grand Ho Tram offers, visit thegrandhotram.com.
