Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan shares insights on the new phase of the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and opportunities to enhance business connections between the two countries. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)

The event was organized by the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco, in collaboration with the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and consulting firm Protiviti. It was attended by numerous Vietnamese-American entrepreneurs, technology experts, U.S. businesses, and representatives from several Vietnamese companies such as Viettel, THACO Auto, Sai Thanh Tourist, as well as U.S. representatives from the San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee.

This was not only a business networking meeting but also a forum for exchanging strategic visions in the new phase, more than two years after Vietnam and the U.S. upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Amidst the accelerating cooperation between the two countries in supply chains, high technology, innovation, clean energy, and education – training, the San Francisco Bay Area continues to assert its role as a leading connector of resources, knowledge, and expert networks.

The main discussion session of the event featured a presentation by Consul General Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, exchanges from three speakers, and several businesses. The open, professional, and cooperative atmosphere laid a crucial foundation for businesses from both countries to seek opportunities, share experiences, and shape new collaborative projects for the future.

The San Francisco Bay Area as a centre of Vietnam-U.S. cooperation

The main discussion session among the four speakers created a candid, strategic, and in-depth exchange space. Christina Bui, Vice President of Business Management Solutions at Protiviti and Robert Half, and founder of Cailan Ventures, served as the moderator of the discussion.

Drawing from her extensive experience in business connection consulting between the two countries and as a pioneer in bringing U.S. businesses to Vietnam in the early 1990s, Christina Bui affirmed: “With Vietnam emerging as one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia and the U.S. playing a critical role as a strategic partner in innovation, capital, and technology, the current time offers extraordinary potential for deepening cooperation across sectors – from AI and semiconductors to digital infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, and trade.”

Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan shared his perspective on the new development phase of the Vietnam-U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the special role of the San Francisco Bay Area. He emphasized, “After more than two years since the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries was upgraded, we are in a phase where cooperation not only expands in scale but also delves into areas with long-term impact such as AI, semiconductors, renewable energy, and high-quality human resource development.”

The Consul General affirmed that Vietnam and the U.S. are entering a period of co-creation cooperation: “What makes me most optimistic is that cooperation between the two countries is increasingly led by scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors – those who create practical value every day.”

The Consul General outlined three objectives for Vietnam in enhancing connections with the San Francisco Bay Area: “We want to establish a substantive platform for U.S. companies and Vietnamese businesses to meet, collaborate, and share opportunities. We hope the Vietnamese community in this area – especially those working in AI, semiconductors, clean energy, and digital technology – will strengthen their connections with Vietnam. And we want to expand the network of founders, investors, and experts, so they become a strong bridge between the two nations.”

From the presence and business relationships of NVIDIA, OpenAI, FPT, Viettel to Vietnamese-American entrepreneurs in robotics, fintech, biotech, or clean energy startups, the Consul General emphasized: “This is no longer traditional trade exchange, but collaboration that creates new technological values for both sides.”

Guest speakers include Attorney Jenny Y. Liu (first from right), Mr. Christopher Nguyen (third from right), Mr. Dung Nguyen (fourth from right), and the discussion moderator, Christina Bui (in pink ao dai). (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)

AI, open technology, and digital infrastructure – Pillars shaping the future

Sharing views on Vietnam being considered a new bright spot for AI and open technology, speaker Christopher Nguyen, CEO and Co-Founder of Aitomatic, emphasized the promising outlook for Vietnam's new position in the AI field.

He noted that Vietnam holds a “timing advantage,” with a young and agile engineering workforce capable of accessing advanced technology. He shared: “If Vietnam steadfastly pursues open technology and AI sovereignty, it can design customized AI models for each industry, creating value that many countries are seeking.”

He emphasized that AI is not just an automation tool but a foundation to restructure entire value chains in production, logistics, healthcare, and education. The San Francisco Bay Area can contribute R&D foundations, while Vietnam provides rapid deployment and a skilled workforce – a powerful complementary model.

Law is considered a key to helping Vietnamese businesses expand into the U.S. market. Attorney Jenny Y. Liu from Pillsbury shared about the compliance requirements with U.S. legal frameworks for Vietnamese businesses entering the U.S. market. She analyzed: “From legal entity structures, intellectual property, commercial contracts to national security-related regulations, oversight by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS – an interagency committee chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury), every factor directly affects success when expanding abroad.”

Attorney Jenny recommended that Vietnamese businesses prepare legally early to reduce risks: “Legal transparency is not only for compliance but also helps create long-term competitive advantages, especially in high-tech fields.”

Discussing digital infrastructure – the foundation for sustainable cooperation, Viettel America's COO, Dung Nguyen, shared about Viettel's priorities in developing digital infrastructure linked to community benefits; he also emphasized the need to upgrade Vietnam's digital infrastructure. He said: “Vietnam is accelerating digital transformation, hence the demand for data centers, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and modern telecommunications is rising rapidly.”

Mr. Dung expressed confidence that the San Francisco Bay Area, with its strengths in innovation, can collaborate with Vietnam to build large-scale technical infrastructure projects: “By combining Vietnam's dynamic market with the U.S.'s R&D capabilities, we can create long-term, sustainable projects with regional impact.”

Delegates attending the Vietnam – San Francisco Bay Area Business Connection event, December 5. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)

Open discussion – Strengthening trust and business network connections

The open discussion session, Q&A between businesses and speakers, as well as interactions and exchanges among numerous business representatives, was very lively. Many questions from U.S. businesses revolved around opportunities for small and medium enterprises, legal requirements in technology transfer, the future of semiconductor – AI workforce training, and the impact of new tariff policies.

Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan responded candidly: “Vietnam is pushing strong reforms to create a more stable, transparent, and favorable business environment. We focus on promoting innovation, improving intellectual property protection, advancing digital government, and creating mechanisms to support long-term U.S. investment.”

The speakers also shared practical experiences. Christopher Nguyen pointed out: “Vietnam's AI workforce is developing rapidly. What businesses need is a training model aligned with actual needs.”

Attorney Jenny Y. Liu noted that practical work with Chinese and U.S. businesses clearly shows: “Understanding U.S. law is a prerequisite for sustainable expansion.”

Viettel America's COO, Dung Nguyen, stated, “Vietnam's digital infrastructure is a significant opportunity for research – deployment cooperation.”

A U.S. business shared that his company has found many advantages and is expanding operations in Vietnam; he hopes Vietnam will continue to improve regulations and processes to facilitate and shorten the time for importing advanced equipment and technology into Vietnam.

Representatives from some Vietnamese businesses attending the event expressed their desire to establish and increase their presence in the U.S. market, the need to strengthen connections with the business network in the San Francisco Bay Area, and share experiences with the Vietnamese business community in this region.

The Vietnam – San Francisco Bay Area Business Connection event concluded with many strategic suggestions for future cooperation. Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed: “This is the time to build, invest, and enhance cooperation. Vietnam is committed to being a reliable partner with a forward-looking approach. The Vietnamese community in the San Francisco Bay Area will always be one of the strongest bridges leading us toward the future.”

Delegates attending the event shared their hope that the connections established today will contribute positively to shaping a new decade of comprehensive and stronger cooperation, with Vietnam emerging as a high-tech manufacturing hub in the region, while the San Francisco Bay Area continues to be a global innovation cradle, spreading and enhancing connections with Vietnam, meeting the aspirations and interests of both sides.

The intersection of knowledge, technology, market, and people is the foundation that continues to advance the Vietnam-U.S. relationship into an increasingly deep, broad, and sustainable comprehensive cooperation phase, for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development of both countries and the region.