Global Voices. Vietnamese Icons. One Stage.

The world’s thinkers, leaders, and innovators gather in Vietnam to shape its $1 trillion future.

The Vanguard Summit convenes leaders rarely seen together in Vietnam: global statesmen, economists, policymakers, unicorn founders, and family business icons.

Each voice represents a critical piece of Vietnam’s journey to a $1 trillion economy.

Keynotes — Global Leaders

Ban Ki-moon

Former Secretary-General, United Nations
Ban Ki-moon led the UN from 2007 to 2016, advancing climate action and global development agendas. Today, he remains a voice for multilateralism and sustainable growth — perspectives vital to Vietnam’s rise within Asia’s shifting balance of power.
Kristalina Georgieva

Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Kristalina Georgieva has steered the IMF through pandemic recovery, financial volatility, and geopolitical disruption. Her insights on capital flows, fiscal policy, and institutional reform offer critical context for Vietnam’s ambition to reach $1 trillion GDP by the 2030s.
Thomas Jacobs

Thomas Jacobs is the IFC Country Manager for the Mekong region, overseeing operations in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR from his base in Hanoi.
In this role, he leads the International Finance Corporation's efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth by boosting private sector investment, with a focus on climate action and green development.
A U.S. national, Jacobs joined the IFC in 2003 and has significant international experience in financial inclusion, MSME support, and policy development across Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands.
Daron Acemoglu

Professor of Economics, MIT; Author, The Narrow Corridor
One of the world’s most influential economists, Daron Acemoglu has transformed debates on institutions and economic growth. His work on governance and inequality frames the institutional choices that Vietnam must make on its path to long-term prosperity.
Chris Miller

Author of Chip War; Associate Professor, Tufts University
Chris Miller is the author of the award-winning Chip War, the definitive account of the global semiconductor race. He will explore how Vietnam can position itself in the geopolitics of technology and supply chains.
Andrew Goledzinowski

Australian Ambassador to Vietnam (2022 - 2024)
Andrew Goledzinowski has served as Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam since 2022, advancing strategic ties across trade, security, and education. A career diplomat with senior postings in the UN and Indo-Pacific, he brings a regional perspective on Vietnam’s role in a shifting Asia and Australia’s partnership in its growth story.
Png Cheong Boon

Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board
Png Cheong Boon has led Singapore’s EDB since May 2023, steering strategy to keep Singapore competitive globally in investment, innovation, and industrial growth. Former CEO of Enterprise Singapore and a veteran of Singapore’s trade & industry leadership, he brings deep insight into what investor-ready institutions look like in Asia’s next growth phase.

Vietnamese Icons & Policy Makers

Nguyen Hong Dien

Minister of Industry and Trade, Vietnam
Nguyen Hong Dien has served as Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade since 2021, overseeing industrial development, international trade, and investment promotion. He plays a central role in shaping Vietnam’s manufacturing competitiveness, export strategy, and integration into global supply chains at a time when the country is repositioning itself within Asia’s economic realignment.
Marc E. Knapper

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam
Marc Knapper has served as the United States Ambassador to Vietnam since 2022, leading one of Washington’s most consequential partnerships in Asia. A career diplomat with deep experience in East Asia and security affairs, he offers insight into how Vietnam–U.S. ties shape trade, investment, and the balance of power in the region.
Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao

CEO, VietJet Air
Vietnam’s first self-made female billionaire, Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao built VietJet into a global low-cost carrier. She exemplifies Vietnamese entrepreneurship at scale — from aviation to finance and real estate — and will share lessons on competing globally from Vietnam.
Tran Dinh Long

Chairman, Hoa Phat Group
A pioneer of Vietnam’s industrial growth, Tran Dinh Long scaled Hoa Phat into the country’s largest steel producer. His story is one of industrial ambition, navigating global cycles while pushing Vietnamese manufacturing into new frontiers.

Entrepreneurs, Founders, Investors & Innovators

Dominic Scriven

Chairman, Dragon Capital
A pioneer in Vienam’s capital markets, Dominic Scriven has invested in the country for over three decades. His perspective bridges global capital with local opportunity, making him one of the most influential foreign investors in Vietnam’s growth story.
Don Lam

CEO, VinaCapital
As co-founder and CEO of VinaCapital, Don Lam has steered one of Vietnam’s most prominent investment firms. His expertise lies at the intersection of private capital, emerging markets, and long-term growth strategies for Vietnam and ASEAN.
Dang Huynh Uc My

Chairwoman, TTC AgriS
Often called Vietnam’s “sugar queen,” Dang Huynh Uc My leads TTC AgriS, a diversified agriculture and energy company. As part of Vietnam’s next-generation leadership, she is reshaping family business strategy in the green transition era.
Nguyen Manh Tuong

Co-Founder & CEO, MoMo
As CEO of MoMo, Vietnam’s leading e-wallet, Nguyen Manh Tuong has overseen the rise of a fintech unicorn serving tens of millions. His perspective highlights how digital platforms are reshaping Vietnam’s consumer economy and financial inclusion.
Le Hong Minh

Founder & CEO, VNG
From online gaming to cloud services, Le Hong Minh turned VNG into Vietnam’s first unicorn. He represents the country’s transition from traditional industries to digital platforms with regional ambitions.
Dr. Le Mai Lan

Dr. Le Mai Lan is the President of the University Council at VinUniversity and Vice Chairwoman of Vingroup, Vietnam's largest private conglomerate.
She is the key figure behind the creation of both the Vinschool K-12 system and VinUniversity, driven by a passion for educational innovation. Under her leadership, VinUniversity rapidly achieved a QS 5-Star overall rating through strategic collaborations with Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Lan holds a Doctorate in Educational Management and previously had an extensive career in the banking and finance sectors.
Christine Tsai

CEO & Founding Partner, 500 Global
Christine Tsai co-founded 500 Global and has led it into one of the world’s most active venture capital firms, with over $2.4B in assets under management and investments in 80+ countries. She brings a global venture lens on how emerging markets like Vietnam can attract capital and scale startups into regional champions.
Min-Liang Tan

Co-founder & CEO, Razer Inc.
Min-Liang Tan turned Razer into a billion-dollar gaming hardware and lifestyle brand with a worldwide fan base. His journey from Singapore startup to global phenomenon offers lessons for Vietnamese entrepreneurs scaling in technology, entertainment, and consumer culture.
David Thai

Founder, Highlands Coffee
David Thai built Highlands Coffee into one of Vietnam’s most recognizable consumer brands, blending international franchise know-how with local identity. His journey illustrates how Vietnamese consumer brands can scale domestically, navigate foreign partnerships, and begin competing for recognition on the global stage.
Ho Hung Huy

Chairman, Asia Commercial Bank (ACB)
Ho Hung Huy has chaired ACB since 2008, guiding it into one of Vietnam’s most respected private banks. Under his leadership, ACB has become a benchmark in governance and retail banking innovation. His perspective highlights how Vietnam’s financial institutions must evolve to support the country’s next phase of growth and integration.