US–ASEAN Business Council Institute and Cultural Vistas Sign Agreement to Advance Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative

Washington, D.C. — The US–ASEAN Business Council Institute (USABCI) and Cultural Vistas today announced the signing of a consulting agreement under the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI). Through this agreement, the Institute has awarded Cultural Vistas $50,000 to implement programming during the project period from March 19, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the VWAI and Cultural Vistas teams, as well as members of the Institute’s Board of Directors.

Through this agreement, Cultural Vistas will implement the Shared Service, Shared Healing program—also known as Bridges to Memories. The initiative is designed as a structured, multi-phase dialogue and exchange program that brings together American and Vietnamese veterans of the Vietnam War. It integrates trauma-informed veteran dialogue, academic collaboration, and public storytelling into a replicable model for post-conflict engagement, with the goal of building mutual understanding and strengthening collaborative networks in support of the VWAI.

“The Institute is proud to partner with Cultural Vistas on this important effort,” said Margaret Hanson-Muse, President and CEO of the US–ASEAN Business Council Institute. “The Shared Service, Shared Healing program represents a meaningful step forward in advancing reconciliation and mutual understanding between the United States and Vietnam. By investing in dialogue, exchange, and storytelling, we are helping to preserve history while fostering the trust and relationships necessary for long-term cooperation. USABCI’s role further highlight the American private sector’s commitment to this endeavor.”

“This initiative reflects the strength of the U.S.–Vietnam partnership and the shared commitment of our institutions to deepen understanding through dialogue,” said Jennifer Clinton, Chief Executive Officer of Cultural Vistas. “By bringing veterans together to share their lived experiences and translating those stories for future generations, we are building a stronger foundation of trust, empathy, and people-to-people connection that will support continued collaboration across the region.”

About the US–ASEAN Business Council Institute

The US–ASEAN Business Council Institute is the 501(c)(3) arm of the US-ASEAN Business Council. The Institute supports initiatives that strengthen U.S. engagement in Southeast Asia through research, dialogue, and capacity-building programs.

About Cultural Vistas

Cultural Vistas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching minds, advancing global skills, building careers, and connecting lives through international exchange.