You are invited to join an exclusive AmCham Vietnam Chairman’s Circle event on Tuesday evening, August 10th, from 7-8:30 PM. The event will feature a discussion between former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius, author of “Nothing is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam”, and Fulbright University Vietnam Lecturer Nguyen Xuan Thanh about Ambassador Osius’ new book. Vietnam’s Ambassador to the United States, the Honorable Ha Kim Ngoc, featured in the book, will offer opening remarks. AmCham Vietnam Executive Director and former U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Mary Tarnowka will moderate the question and answer session.

The timing couldn’t be better. The event will take place just after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s visit to Hanoi focused on the security partnership and war legacy issues, and just before the visit later this month of Vice President Kamala Harris focused on the broader comprehensive partnership and economic ties. “Nothing is Impossible” offers a vivid first-hand account of the various forms of diplomacy that brought about the reconciliation between two former enemies and helped bring new prosperity to Vietnam.

Pull up a comfortable chair, pour yourself a drink, and join this exclusive discussion to learn more about the remarkable transformation in relations between the United States and Vietnam, and insights into what lies ahead.

Register now. Participation is limited to enable a frank and constructive exchange.

Please reserve your place as soon as possible by replying to [email protected] to enable our planning.

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the United States of America

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was born in 1963. He has served in the diplomatic service since 1988 in different positions and has much experience in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.

He was appointed by President Tran Dai Quang as the sixth Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam to the United States of America in March 2018. He arrived in Washington, D.C. on July 15, 2018 and presented his Credentials to President Donald J. Trump on September 17, 2018.

From May 2013 to July 2018, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc served as Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in charge of relations with countries in the Americas, especially the United States as well as with the United Nations and other international organizations.

From 2011 to 2013, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc held the position of Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, Director General of Department of Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 2008 to 2011, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Director General, Executive Assistant to Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 2007 to 2008, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Deputy Director General, Department of Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 2004 to 2007, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Economic Counsellor, Embassy of Viet Nam in Japan.

From 2003 to 2004, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Deputy Director General, Office of the Ministry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 2002 to 2003, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Assistant Director General, Office of the Ministry and Executive Assistant to Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 2001 to 2002, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Head of North America Division, Department of Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

From 1997 to 2000, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Vice Consul, Head of Economic Section, Viet Nam Consulate General in San Francisco, United States.

From 1988 to 1997, Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc was Desk Officer, Department of Americas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc graduated from the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam in 1985. He studied Russian in Kiev University, Ukraine from 1986 to 1987 and earned a master degree of International Relations at Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam in 2010.

Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc is married to Mme. Nguyen Thi Phuong Lien and has two children.

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Ambassador (retired) Ted Osius
Trustee of The Asia Foundation

A diplomat for thirty years, Amb (ret) Ted Osius served from 2014 to 2017 as U.S. ambassador to Vietnam. Leading a team of 900, Ambassador Osius devised and implemented strategies to deepen economic, security and cultural ties between the two countries. Only the second gay career diplomat in U.S. history to achieve the rank of ambassador, Amb (ret) Osius went to Vietnam with his husband and two children.

After his departure from government, Amb (ret) Osius joined Google Asia-Pacific as Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Policy. Earlier, he was a senior advisor at the Albright-Stonebridge Group, and the first Vice President of Fulbright University Vietnam. Amb (ret) Osius was associate professor at the National War College and Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

As a diplomat, Amb (ret) Osius served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Political Minister-Counselor in New Delhi, India. Amb (ret) Osius also served as deputy director of the Office of Korean Affairs at the State Department, regional environment officer for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, and senior advisor on Asia and trade to Vice President Al Gore.

Ambassador Osius has authored numerous articles on Foreign Service tradecraft and U.S.-Asia policy. He wrote The U.S.-Japan Security Alliance: Why It Matters and How To Strengthen It (CSIS/Praeger 2002) as a fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs (日本国際問題研究所). While at CSIS, he published “Global Swing States: Deepening Partnerships with India and Indonesia” (Asia Policy, January 2014), Enhancing India-ASEAN Connectivity and A US-Indonesia Partnership for 2020.

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Nguyen Xuan Thanh
Lecturer of Public Policy
Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management

Nguyen Xuan Thanh has twenty years of experience in teaching, designing, and implementing development policies in finance and public investment. At Fulbright University Vietnam, Thanh teaches at the Fulbright School of Public Policy and Management. Nguyen Xuan Thanh also is a senior fellow at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). Prior to joining the Fulbright School, Thanh served as an official in the municipal government of Ho Chi Minh City.

Thanh’s research interests are banking, public investment, and infrastructure development. His recent and ongoing research projects include financing infrastructure development and cross-ownership in Vietnam’s banking sector.

At the Fulbright School, Thanh teaches courses on Introduction to Public Policy, Local and Regional Development, Appraisal of Public Investment, and Leadership in the Public Sector. He also teaches regularly in the Fulbright School’s executive education and participate in policy dialogues with public sector agencies in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Thanh earned a B.A. (hons) in economics from the University of New Delhi, an M.S. in economics in finance from the University of Warwick, and an M.P.A. from Harvard University.

Mary Tarnowka
Executive Director
AmCham Vietnam

Mary Tarnowka joined AmCham Vietnam as Executive Director in August 2019. She continues to carry out AmCham’s long-term mission to strengthen the U.S.-Vietnam trade and investment partnership and serve as the “voice of American business” in Vietnam, established when it was founded informally just after the trade embargo was lifted in 1994. Under her leadership, AmCham Vietnam has been revitalized. It is one of the largest, diverse, and inclusive foreign business associations in Vietnam. Its network of active committees and extensive range of events provide members valuable opportunities for professional networking, business intelligence, advocacy, and business promotion. AmCham strives to be the most strategic and influential business association in Vietnam – that drives innovation and sustainable growth and helps its members succeed. A community you want to join!

Mary is an international trade and economic expert with decades of experience managing organizations and policy advocacy in Asia. Prior to joining AmCham, Mary served as the U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City. As a career diplomat and member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mary has served throughout the Indo-Pacific region, including postings in Seoul, Delhi, Shanghai, and Taipei, as well as at the State Department’s China Desk and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Before joining the State Department, Mary worked as a CPA and Tax Manager at KPMG’s San Francisco Office. Mary also serves as a Director on the Board of VinaCapital GS Energy.

Limited participation: 25 maximum. Registration will be on a first-come first-served basis.

Please confirm your attendance by replying to [email protected].

Registration fee: VND 700,000

We are unable to accept reservations/cancellations by telephone.