US‑ASEAN Business Council Leads First U.S. Business Delegation to Engage with Vietnam’s New Leadership for the 2026–2031 Term
Hanoi, Vietnam (April 2026) – From April 14 to 16, 2026, the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) led a delegation of senior executives from 52 leading U.S. companies to Hanoi for its 2026 Business Mission to Vietnam.
The mission was headed by Ambassador Brian McFeeters (ret.), Interim President and CEO of USABC, and co-led by Ms. Penny Burtt, President of Boeing Southeast Asia, USABC Board Director and Chair of the Vietnam Committee, and Mr. Vu Tu Thanh, Acting Regional Managing Director and USABC Vietnam Chief Country Representative.
The Mission took place at a pivotal and historic juncture for Vietnam, following the conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in January 2026 and the establishment of a new government just one week prior to the Mission. It marked the first engagement between a U.S. business delegation and Vietnam’s new Government for the 2026–2031 term. With key leadership positions now fully in place across the Presidency, Government, and National Assembly, Vietnam has entered a new phase of governance with defined strategic priorities— reinforcing a stable, forward-looking, and predictable environment for businesses and investors.
The mission brought together a diverse group of industry leaders representing sectors including energy, technology and innovation, financial services, aerospace and automotive, logistics and advanced manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, agriculture, consumer goods, travel and tourism, and advisory services. The delegation underscored the depth and breadth of U.S. business engagement in Vietnam and reaffirmed a shared commitment to supporting the country’s next phase of economic growth.
Throughout the three-day visit, the USABC delegation was received by senior leaders from both the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Government. Notably, the delegation met with Prime Minister Le Minh Hung just days after he assumed office, making this Mission his first engagement with a major U.S. delegation since taking on the role.
In addition to this landmark meeting, delegates also engaged with other key leaders, including Deputy Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Hong of the National Assembly; Deputy Chairman Nguyen Duc Trung of the Central Party Committee’s Commission for Policy and Strategy; Minister Dao Hong Lan of the Ministry of Health; Deputy Minister Dang Hong Duc of the Ministry of Public Security; Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan of the Ministry of Industry and Trade; Deputy Governor Nguyen Ngoc Canh of the State Bank of Vietnam; Deputy Minister Hoang Dao Cuong of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van of the Ministry of Construction; Deputy Minister Dang Ngoc Diep of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment; Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Tu of the Ministry of Justice; Chairman Dang Hoang An of Electricity of Vietnam (EVN); Vice President and Acting CEO Le Xuan Huyen of the Vietnam National Industry–Energy Group (Petrovietnam), among others.
The delegation also participated in a briefing with Chargé d’Affaires John W. McIntyre, who recently assumed his post in Vietnam, along with members of the U.S. Embassy team, and attended a luncheon with Dr. Rebecca Bunnell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Health Security and Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State.
In addition to high-level meetings, the mission featured several signature events hosted by USABC, including an Economist Luncheon and a Gala Dinner commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The Gala brought together more than 200 distinguished guests, including senior Vietnamese officials, U.S. government representatives, and business leaders, celebrating the enduring and forward-looking U.S.–Vietnam partnership.
“I was impressed by the warm welcome extended by the new Vietnamese Government, from the Prime Minister to key ministers, even as they have only just assumed office with an extensive policy agenda,” said Ambassador Brian McFeeters, Interim President and CEO of USABC. “This mission provided a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate our support for the new leadership, reinforce trust, and strengthen long-term partnerships. We are encouraged by the government’s commitment to reform and look forward to supporting Vietnam’s transition into a new phase of rapid, innovation-driven growth.”
“The 2026 US-ASEAN Business Council’s mission to Vietnam provided another meaningful opportunity for the U.S. business community to engage with Vietnam’s new leadership and reinforce the strong economic partnership between the two countries. Boeing values the opportunity to reaffirm our long-term commitment to Vietnam and looks forward to supporting the country’s aviation, aerospace, and industrial development priorities,” said Penny Burtt, President of Boeing Southeast Asia, Chair of the Council’s Vietnam Committee, and Board Director of USABC.
Companies who participated in the 2026 USABC Business Mission to Vietnam include:
3M, Abbott Vietnam, Access Partnership, Atlas Air Worldwide, Bay Global Strategies, Boeing, BowerGroupAsia, Cisco Systems, Citibank, ClearOne, Coherent, Coca-Cola Vietnam, Corteva Agriscience, Excelerate Energy, ExxonMobil, FedEx, Ford Motor Company, Google, Herbalife, Intel Corporation, LFA Global Inc., The Lubrizol Corporation, Manulife, Marriott International, Mastercard, Medtronic, Meta, Mondelez, Murphy Oil, Organon, Pacifico Energy, PepsiCo Vietnam, Philip Morris Viet Nam, Procter and Gamble Vietnam, Salesforce, SC Johnson, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage, The Asia Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Tilleke & Gibbins, UL Solutions, UPS, Vantive Vietnam Healthcare, Viatris Vietnam Limited Company, Visa Inc., Vriens & Partners, Warburg Pincus and Warner Bros. Discovery.