VPS Launches VPS 2.0, Announces Strategic Partnership with VNUHCM Innovation Hub, Unveils Strategic Initiatives, and Convenes Distinguished U.S.–Vietnam Leaders
June 1, 2026 | United States
June 2, 2026 | Vietnam
The Association of Vietnamese Professionals and Students in the United States (VPS) successfully launched VPS 2.0, marking a new chapter in its mission to connect, empower, and inspire Vietnamese professionals and students while strengthening people-to-people ties between the United States and Vietnam.
Held on June 1, 2026 (June 2 in Vietnam), the virtual launch event brought together 574 participants from across the United States, Vietnam, and around the world, including leaders from diplomacy, academia, business, technology, healthcare, and civil society. The event commemorated the organization's 14th anniversary and unveiled a renewed vision for the future of VPS.
The program featured remarks by Ambassador Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, Ambassador of Vietnam to the United States; the official launch of VPS 2.0; the introduction of a comprehensive portfolio of strategic initiatives; the announcement of a $20,000 fundraising campaign; the unveiling of a Memorandum of Understanding between VPS and the VNUHCM Innovation Hub; and a landmark discussion featuring distinguished U.S. and Vietnamese diplomatic, business, academic, and community leaders.
Remarks from Ambassador Nguyễn Quốc Dũng
The event featured special remarks by Ambassador Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, who highlighted the importance of educational exchange, professional collaboration, innovation, and people-to-people engagement in advancing the U.S.–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
His remarks underscored the important role that overseas Vietnamese professionals, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, and community leaders can play in strengthening bilateral cooperation and creating opportunities for future generations.
VPS 2.0: A Renewed Vision
During the event, VPS leadership officially unveiled VPS 2.0, introducing a renewed vision centered on leadership development, professional collaboration, mentorship, community engagement, and stronger connections between Vietnam and the United States.
Building upon fourteen years of volunteer-driven growth, VPS 2.0 is guided by three core principles:
Creating community value
Fostering decentralized and shared leadership
Supporting action-oriented individuals and teams
As part of this next phase, VPS announced the formation of a new Advisory Council, which will bring together distinguished leaders from diplomacy, academia, business, and the community to provide mentorship and strategic guidance to VPS initiatives and future generations.
VPS also announced plans to strengthen its organizational capacity through professional operational support, enabling the organization to expand its impact while maintaining its strong volunteer-driven culture.
VPS Strategic Initiatives
A centerpiece of VPS 2.0 is the launch and expansion of a portfolio of strategic initiatives designed to strengthen Vietnamese identity, cultivate leadership, advance innovation and research, and create opportunities for meaningful impact across the United States and Vietnam.
Strengthening Vietnamese Identity, Leadership, and Global Community Impact
VPS reaffirmed its commitment to building a globally connected Vietnamese community through cultural engagement, leadership development, mentorship, and intergenerational collaboration. This initiative seeks to elevate Vietnamese cultural identity, strengthen connections among professionals and students, foster mutual understanding between Vietnam and the United States, and inspire community impact on a global scale. Programs include leadership dialogues, cultural storytelling, mentorship networks, and annual gatherings that bring together Vietnamese professionals across generations.
Our American Journey 2.0
Our American Journey 2.0 creates a space for authentic dialogue, practical workshops, and shared wisdom from diverse experts and community members. Designed for students, professionals, and families navigating life between cultures, the initiative offers real-world insights, peer support, and intergenerational learning for those beginning their careers, changing professional paths, or building lives across two homelands.
Opportunities for Skilled Labor
To strengthen the long-term pipeline of Vietnamese talent, VPS introduced the Opportunities for Skilled Labor initiative, a structured mentorship pathway supporting students and young professionals from undergraduate studies through research, graduate education, professional careers, and community leadership. The initiative emphasizes academic excellence, research readiness, leadership development, and a commitment to giving back.
VPS Chapters Across the United States
Recognizing that strong local communities are essential to national impact, VPS will continue expanding and strengthening its chapter network across the United States. The chapter model provides opportunities for professional networking, mentorship, leadership development, and community engagement while fostering deeper connections among Vietnamese professionals and students nationwide.
Vietnam Innovation & Academic Network (VIAN)
VIAN serves as an umbrella platform connecting scholars, researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals committed to advancing Vietnam’s development through knowledge exchange and collaboration. The network seeks to build a unified innovation ecosystem by linking expertise across academia, industry, healthcare, research, and public policy.
LOTUSnet: Global Initiative for Vietnam’s Scientific Advancement
LOTUSnet is a global scientific network designed to connect Vietnamese researchers and graduate students across the United States, Europe, Vietnam, and other regions. The initiative supports research collaboration, mentorship, fellowship opportunities, professional development, and scientific capacity-building while helping cultivate the next generation of globally connected Vietnamese scholars.
PhD.Hub
PhD.Hub is a global academic community supporting students and early-career researchers pursuing graduate education and research careers. Through mentorship, scholarship guidance, academic advising, professional development, networking, and educational programming, the platform helps students navigate pathways toward advanced study and research excellence.
VPS Medical Professionals Network
The VPS Medical Professionals Network connects Vietnamese healthcare professionals, researchers, physicians, trainees, and students across the United States. The initiative promotes mentorship, academic and clinical excellence, research collaboration, institutional partnerships, and community service while strengthening connections among Vietnamese medical professionals nationwide.
Urban Studies Group (USG)
The Urban Studies Group brings together Vietnamese urban planning and development experts to support sustainable, resilient, and innovative urban development in Vietnam. The group's inaugural project is the development of a Housing Affordability Index covering provinces and cities across Vietnam, with broader work spanning transportation, climate resilience, housing, smart cities, economic development, and public policy.
VUS Advisory
VUS Advisory is a purpose-driven advisory network connecting Vietnamese businesses with experienced professionals and industry experts in the United States. Through project-based engagements, market-entry guidance, professional mentorship, and strategic advisory services, the initiative aims to help businesses, professionals, and students navigate opportunities in both markets.
Higher Education Partnership
Building on its collaboration with VNUHCM Innovation Hub, VPS launched a Higher Education Partnership initiative focused on advancing pedagogical innovation, institutional governance, digital transformation, and international collaboration in higher education. The initiative seeks to connect universities, academic leaders, researchers, and policy experts to strengthen educational excellence and innovation.
STER: Science, Technology, and Economic Review
STER serves as VPS’s platform for thought leadership and knowledge exchange in science, technology, economics, and public policy. Through research reviews, policy analysis, conferences, webinars, and professional publications, STER aims to promote informed dialogue on emerging trends and strengthen understanding of issues affecting both Vietnam and the United States.
These initiatives represent VPS's commitment to transforming ideas into action and creating meaningful opportunities for Vietnamese professionals and students to contribute to their communities, strengthen U.S.–Vietnam relations, and create lasting impact across generations.
Strategic Partnership with VNUHCM Innovation Hub
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between VPS and the VNUHCM Innovation Hub, establishing a framework for collaboration in research, innovation, technology, talent development, higher education, and international engagement.
The partnership seeks to create new opportunities for students, researchers, entrepreneurs, professionals, and institutions in both countries through collaborative programs, knowledge exchange, conferences, institutional partnerships, and innovation-focused initiatives.
VPS was honored to welcome Prof. Nguyễn Thị Thanh Mai, Chancellor and President of VNUHCM, who delivered special remarks on the importance of strengthening connections among universities, innovators, professionals, and global Vietnamese communities. The event also featured remarks by Mr. Trần Vũ, Deputy Director of the VNUHCM Innovation Hub, who shared the Innovation Hub's vision and opportunities for future collaboration.
VPS was pleased to welcome numerous leaders, faculty members, staff, and representatives from VNUHCM and the VNUHCM Innovation Hub, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing education, innovation, and international cooperation.
VPS 2.0 Fundraising Campaign
As part of the launch, VPS announced a $20,000 fundraising campaign to support the organization's next phase of growth and impact.
The campaign includes a goal of $10,000 in community contributions, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by members of the VPS Board of Directors. Funds raised will support operational capacity, leadership development, student engagement, mentorship programs, professional networking opportunities, and new initiatives that strengthen connections between Vietnam and the United States.
The campaign reflects VPS's belief that long-term impact requires not only volunteer dedication, but also sustainable resources to support future generations of Vietnamese professionals and students.
Featured Discussion: From the Past to the Future
The event concluded with a landmark discussion titled "From the Past to the Future."
For the first time, an extraordinary group of former U.S. and Vietnamese ambassadors, senior diplomats, business executives, academics, and community leaders came together to reflect on the evolution of the U.S.–Vietnam relationship and explore opportunities for future cooperation.
Diplomatic Leaders
Ambassador Michael Michalak, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2007–2011)
Ambassador Nguyễn Quốc Cường, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States (2011–2014)
Ambassador Ted Osius, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2014–2017)
Ambassador Phạm Quang Vinh, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States (2014–2018)
Ambassador Hà Kim Ngọc, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States (2018–2022)
Ambassador Vũ Quang Minh, Senior Ambassador and MOFA's Key Coordinator of the VELP Program at Harvard University
Ambassador Marc Knapper, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2022–2026)
Consul General Mary Tarnowka, U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City (2016–2019) and Executive Director of AmCham Vietnam (2019–2022)
Business, Academic, and Community Leaders
Dr. Loi Nguyen, Executive Vice President (Retired), Marvell Technology
Ms. Christina Bui, Vice President, Robert Half
Mr. Nguyễn Anh Tuấn, Co-founder and CEO, Boston Global Forum
Ms. Thao Griffiths, Director of Public Policy (CLMV), Meta
Dr. Trần Ngọc Anh, Professor, Indiana University
Moderated by Ms. Bảo Lương, Founder of Greenfield & Associates and VPS Board Member, the discussion explored lessons learned from three decades of U.S.–Vietnam cooperation and shared perspectives on leadership, innovation, education, technology, and the future of bilateral relations.
Read more about this Featured Discussion here
Building the Next Chapter
Founded in 2012, VPS has grown into a nationwide network connecting Vietnamese professionals, students, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators, and community leaders across the United States and Vietnam.
Through VPS 2.0, the organization seeks to deepen its impact by empowering individuals, strengthening communities, fostering innovation, and creating opportunities for collaboration across generations and borders.
"VPS 2.0 is more than a new chapter for our organization. It is a renewed commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and building bridges between the United States and Vietnam for generations to come."
As VPS enters its next chapter, the organization remains committed to its guiding motto:
"United as One. Empowering Everyone."
About VPS
The Association of Vietnamese Professionals and Students in the United States (VPS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting Vietnamese professionals and students, promoting leadership development, advancing educational and professional opportunities, and strengthening U.S.–Vietnam relations through collaboration and community engagement.
For more information, visit: www.vpsusa.org
Media Contact
VPS Communications Team
