VNU Vice President Nguyen Hoang Hai attended and delivered a speech at the event.

On behalf of VNU’s leadership, Vice President Nguyen Hoang Hai expressed his honor to welcome Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper to VNU. As a leading multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral national university in Vietnam, VNU has been tasked with training highly-qualified human resources for the country's development in the context of integration and the era of the nation's rise.  In recent years, VNU has had the privilege of hosting many heads of state, politicians, and renowned global scholars. Notably, in 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton visited VNU and delivered a speech to its students during his visit to Vietnam.

VNU Vice President Nguyen Hoang Hai said that, in recent years, VNU has signed 33 Memoranda of Understanding with leading universities and research organizations across the United States, including Iowa State University, San José State University, the University of Chicago, Indiana University, the University of Arizona, Keuka College, among others. These collaborations span a wide range of activities, such as the joint development of academic programs, research partnerships, project proposals, faculty and student exchanges, and the organization of conferences and workshops.

Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper visited VNU's Traditional Room 

The Partnership for Higher Education Reform (PHER) was officially launched on November 24, 2021, with the participation of representatives from Vietnam's top universities including VNU-Hanoi, VNU-Ho Chi Minh City and the University of Da Nang along with international partners, such as Indiana University, USAID, and the World Bank. In terms of human resource development, the PHER project has exceeded its target by 19%, supporting 889 individuals.

VNU Vice President Nguyen Hoang Hai expressed his belief that the Ambassador’s presence at VNU was not only a testament to the strong ties between the two countries but also a unique chance for VNU’s students to learn about international diplomacy, global relations, and the importance of cultural exchange firsthand. The year 2025 is an occasion to reflect on the progress that the two countries have achieved together over the past 30 years while looking forward and shaping the future of the bilateral relationship in the years to come.

Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper expressed his delight in visiting VNU and his admiration for the achievements of VNU's collaboration with U.S. partners over the past years. He stated that the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam was ready to facilitate and enhance cooperation between VNU and educational institutions in the United States in training, research, and exchange programs.

Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper delivered a speech on “The 30th anniversary of U.S. - Vietnam relations”

Addressing more than 400 VNU students on the topic “The 30th anniversary of U.S. - Vietnam relations”, Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper emphasized three key areas: education, innovation, and partnerships.

The Ambassador affirmed that education was foundational to the U.S. - Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.  Education is the seed that enables generations of young people to grow into leaders, innovators, and global citizens. Recently, many educational institutions from the United States have partnered with VNU in breakthrough initiatives including advancing geospatial research with NASA, expanding English education programs, and collaborating in curriculum development for key industries such as semiconductors.  More than 60 VNU students and faculty have participated in U.S. government exchange programs, and VNU has partnered with U.S. educational institutions in student and faculty exchanges, research, and best practice sharing.

Vietnam is one of the largest sources of international students in the United States.  Many Vietnamese students have achieved significant success in their academic pursuits and hold prominent positions in major U.S. organizations and corporations. Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper highlighted that initiatives like the PHER project and the Fulbright Program exemplified the U.S. efforts to enhance higher education collaboration with Vietnam.

According to Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper, the future of Vietnam and the future of the United States are closely intertwined. Vietnam’s success is also the success of the United States, and vice versa. The two nations are committed to working closely together to address pressing global challenges like climate change. He expressed his belief that innovation was the key to the next 30 years of the bilateral relations. Both sides are adopting a forward-looking approach to foster stronger ties, focusing on high-tech industries, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, 5G technology, renewable energy, and digital innovation.

“What we have built together over the past 30 years is the fruit of the tree that we together decided to plant in 1995”, said the Ambassador.

The Ambassador emphasized that the future of Vietnam and the future of the Vietnam-U.S. partnership relied largely on the youth. Young people have the opportunity to lead Vietnam into a high-tech, sustainable future; promote innovation in responding to challenges such as climate change and clean energy; and strengthen the partnership between the two nations.

During the event, VNU students raised questions to Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper on such issues as policies aimed at promoting academic exchanges, facilitating joint research, and fostering deeper collaboration among universities in both countries; collaboration on youth exchanges; promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and startups, etc.

Ambassador Marc Evans Knapper with VNU staff and students