US-ASEAN Business Council leads the largest business delegation to Vietnam following the upgraded U.S. - Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP)

(Hanoi) – From March 18 to 21, the US-ASEAN Business Council (“USABC”) spearheaded a delegation comprising senior executives from 50 leading US companies to Hanoi for its 2024 Business Mission to Vietnam. This year’s event marked a momentous occasion, as it came after the historic elevation of Vietnam – United States relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (“CSP”) and coincided with the 40^th anniversary of the US-ASEAN Business Council.

The Business Mission was co-led by the Council’s President & CEO Ambassador Ted Osius, Mr. Michael Nguyen, Managing Director, Boeing Vietnam and Chair of the Council’s Vietnam Committee, and Mr. Vu Tu Thanh, the Council’s Deputy Regional Managing Director & Vietnam Chief Representative. Representatives from diverse industries such as digital technology, energy, aerospace, defense, manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods, food and agriculture, financial services, healthcare, investment funds reaffirmed their commitments to supporting the Government of Vietnam’s efforts and proposed further cooperation in various sectors.

During the mission, the delegation met with government officials and key stakeholders across multiple ministries and agencies, including meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, ​ Minister Nguyen Chi Dzung of Ministry of Planning and Investment, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien of Ministry of Industry and Trade,Minister Nguyen Manh Hung of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Deputy Minister Luong Tam Quang of Ministry of Public Security, Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan of the Ministry of Transport, Deputy Governor Pham Tien Dung of the State Bank of Vietnam, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Chairman Dang Hoang An of EVN, among others.

This year's mission saw a high level of collaboration with the U.S. government as it includedUnited States Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper, President and Chair of US Export-Import Bank Reta Jo Lewis, and the State Department’s Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs Sarah Morgenthau.

“The opportunities for U.S. companies in Vietnam are very significant. With the elevation of U.S.-Vietnam relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, there are many new possibilities for strengthening business ties,” said Ambassador Ted Osius, the Council’s President and CEO. “We were honored by the participation of senior U.S. officials in our delegation this year and see a clear alignment of strategic and commercial interests.”

“US companies are committed to long-term collaboration with Vietnam and support its ambitious goals, including digital transformation, green transition for net-zero goals, and enhancing Vietnam's global supply chain position through infrastructure, workforce development and manufacturing.” said Michael Nguyen, Managing Director of Boeing Vietnam and Chair of the Council’s Vietnam Committee.

To commemorate USABC’s 40^th anniversary, the Council also hosted a CRS Exhibition and Gala Dinner on March 19 during the 2024 Business Mission. Guest speakers from the Vietnamese Government included Mr. Nguyen Hong Linh, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and Secretary of the Dong Nai provincial Party Committee, Deputy Minister Do Thanh Trung of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over 200 guests, including U.S. government representatives, officials from the Vietnamese government, provincial leaders, mission delegates, and local business leaders, attended the event.

Companies in the Council’s delegation include 3M, AES, Amazon, Amway, Atmo, Bay Global Strategies, Bell Textron, Boeing, Chubb, Coca-Cola, Diageo, Dow, Energy Capital Vietnam, Estée Lauder Companies, FedEx Express, Ford, GE Vernova, IMSG, JP Morgan, KKR, Koch Industries, Lockheed Martin, Manulife, Marriott International, Mastercard, Meta, Mondelez, Organon, Pacifico Energy, PepsiCo Foods Vietnam, Pernod Ricard, Procter & Gamble, Reinsurance Group of America (RGA), Roblox, Salesforce, SAP Asia, SnowBridge Capital, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, Tilleke & Gibbins, UL Solutions, Viatris, Vinfast Manufacturing US, Visa, Vriens & Partners, Zuellig Pharma.