Three Decades of Vietnam-US Connection: A Journey of Knowledge from a Steadfast Dream

The year 2025 marks a historic milestone: 30 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States (1995–2025). The past three decades have not only witnessed strong development in bilateral cooperation in economics, politics, and defense, but also a journey of deep connection in education and knowledge – where the two nations nurture the younger generation for the future.

Each year, over 90% of APU graduates receive scholarships directly to prestigious universities worldwide , with the total scholarship value exceeding $25 million annually, without requiring proof of TOEFL, IELTS, IB, or SAT scores.

In this context, the APU Education Development Group (APU American International School System and AUV American University in Vietnam) – a pioneering education system founded by passionate educators from the United States with the aspiration to impart knowledge and open doors to the future for the young generation of Vietnam – has been contributing to writing a proud chapter in history.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States, the journey of Dr. Tran Nguyen Thy Binh and APU Group not only demonstrates a spirit of innovation and pioneering, but also serves as a vivid symbol of the potential for strategic cooperation in the field of education. From a challenging educational startup dream to an influential international education ecosystem, she has spread inspiration and core values ​​to thousands of Vietnamese students, opening the path to comprehensive integration with the world. With the mindset of a resilient female leader, possessing a sustainable vision and a humane heart, Dr. Thy Binh is a living testament to the power of individuals in realizing the finest values ​​of American education in Vietnam – a journey of profound meaning, sustainability, and great promise.

At APU, in addition to taking AP programs for which APU is a testing center affiliated with the College Board, students are encouraged to participate in the College Bridge Program/Dual Enrollment Program (APU partners with prestigious universities in the US), a program unique to APU.

APU alumni – A generation of global citizens contributing to the world's science and economy.

As one of the first educational institutions in Vietnam to adopt the American standard training model, APU has not only built trust with parents and students in Vietnam but has also become a bridge connecting thousands of Vietnamese students to the world. In particular, the graduating class of 2009-2010 – the first seeds to mature from APU's international educational environment – ​​has today shone in many fields, from science and technology, biomedicine, finance to innovative entrepreneurship.

Among them, Phung Khoi Quoc Toan currently lives and works in Scotland as a Parkinson's disease researcher at the University of Dundee. His work, CURTAIN – a groundbreaking application of Mass Spectrometry technology developed by Toan – earned him the title of "Innovator of the Year 2022".

With the foundation provided by APU and AUV, many alumni have graduated from prestigious universities around the world, have pursued business careers globally, or hold important positions in global companies such as Boeing, Abbott, KPMG, Google, Tesla, Amazon, the Big 4 (PWC, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG), NASA, and more.

Another talented individual is Dinh Khang Hy – a researcher in advanced materials and a lecturer at Tufts University, USA. Building on his innovative projects at Roger Williams University, Hy continued his academic journey with a fully funded doctoral scholarship and is now expanding his research on aerogel – the world's lightest material.

Beyond research, APU alumni have also made a significant mark in management and finance. Truong Buu Van, who graduated valedictorian with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin, went on to earn a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University and currently holds a Senior Executive Management role at the global biopharmaceutical company AbbVie. Meanwhile, Nguyen Ngoc Xuan (Susan), with her CFA certification – the gold standard in global finance – is currently working at Wellington Management Company in Boston, where she continues to solidify her position as a young financial expert.

APU is the first and only international school licensed by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the US education agency to teach the US curriculum to Vietnamese students and foreign students living in Vietnam.

In the field of healthcare, Nguyen Tran Thuong Uyen – one of 87 outstanding students who surpassed over 3,000 applicants to enter UCLA's Dentist program – has now graduated and is practicing in the United States. Uyen once shared: "My greatest fortune was studying at APU – a place that instilled in me the spirit of constantly moving forward." Additionally, Tran Thien Hong Anh, a graduate of Oregon Health & Science University, is currently a dentist at Oregon Health & Science University.

Among the outstanding alumni is Dr. Ho Hoang Duy – the valedictorian of APU in 2014 – currently an Associate Professor at California State University, Fullerton. After receiving a full scholarship in Computer Science from the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC), Duy successfully completed a dual PhD program in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science. The Duy, Phuc, and Uyen siblings were all valedictorians/salutatorians of APU and have achieved success in the US – a prime example of the enduring impact of APU's international education foundation.

Dr. Thy Binh welcomed delegations of leaders from prestigious partner universities such as Virginia Commonwealth University, Arizona State University, UMKC, Central Michigan University, Portland State University, FIT, etc., during their annual visits and working trips.

The success story doesn't end there, as APU's outstanding students continue to make their mark at top-ranked universities worldwide: Nguyen Ngoc Mai Thy (APU valedictorian, class of 2022) was accepted into three top US public universities: UC Berkeley (#1), UC Davis (#6), and UC Irvine (#10), and chose UC Berkeley to pursue a double major in Philosophy, Law, and Psychology; Nguyen Huong Vi (valedictorian, class of 2019) is studying at the University of British Columbia – ranked #2 in Canada; Duong Ngoc Bao Chau (valedictorian, class of 2022) and Nguyen Hung Manh both received an Unconditional Offer of Admission from the University of Sydney – a leading Australian university, where both are studying Health Sciences; Kim So Yeon (class of 2021) is a student at Yonsei University – ranked #2 in South Korea. Le Ngoc Truyen (valedictorian of the 2012 graduating class) earned a Master's degree in Chemistry from UC Berkeley and is currently working in biotechnology in San Francisco; Tran Xuan Khanh Linh (valedictorian of the 2024 graduating class) won a scholarship worth nearly $530,000 and was accepted into UC Berkeley – the number one public university in the United States; Dao Duc Tuan Kiet (salutatorian of the 2025 graduating class) recently received an early admission offer from New York University (NYU) – one of the world's leading universities, where he will study Electrical & Computer Engineering. And many other APU alumni are also achieving success at prestigious universities around the world – a great source of pride for the entire university.

The achievements of APU alumni are not only a source of pride for the university, but also a significant mark in the 30-year journey of developing Vietnam-US relations based on knowledge and a shared future.

Dr. Tran Nguyen Thy Binh – The person who laid the foundation for APU's global education mission.

Behind the remarkable achievements of the American International School System (APU) and American University in Vietnam (AUV) lies the pioneering, passionate, and courageous journey of its founder – Dr. Tran Nguyen Thy Binh. In the early 21st century, when international education was still a relatively new concept in Vietnam, Dr. Thy Binh bravely took the lead, bringing the American-standard education model to Vietnam – not only as an academic solution, but also as a strategic mission to change the future of the younger generation.

Under the leadership of Dr. Thy Binh, APU & AUV have not only become pioneering symbols in the field of international education in Vietnam, but have also opened the door to direct study abroad opportunities at prestigious universities in the US and around the world for thousands of Vietnamese students. Strategic partnerships with renowned universities in the United States, scholarship programs, and the implementation of US-standard curricula right in Vietnam have helped thousands of students shorten their study abroad journey, save costs, and prepare for integration into a global learning environment.

Beyond simply building a school system, Dr. Thy Binh has also shaped a humanistic educational philosophy that emphasizes liberation, independence, and global leadership. Throughout her 30-year journey, she has consistently guided, inspired, and supported students, parents, and teachers alike in overcoming challenges – from cultural differences to crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

She shared: “I believe that education is not only the shortest path to integration, but also a sustainable bridge that helps Vietnam confidently reach out to the world. Bringing the spirit of American-standard education to the young generation of Vietnam is not just about transferring knowledge, but also about the synergy of humanistic values, open-minded thinking, and global responsibility.”

Over more than three decades of development, APU and AUV have established collaborative networks with dozens of leading universities in the United States, such as Arizona State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Central Michigan University, UMKC, San Diego State University, the University of California system, etc., creating a diverse educational ecosystem from high school to university, contributing to the training of high-quality human resources to serve national development in the context of globalization.

Throughout this journey, one of the clearest proofs of Dr. Tran Nguyen Thy Binh's value and influence is the profound trust from parents. The Mai Xuan Hoan family, with over 10 years of experience with APU, has sent all three of their sons to study there. Their two eldest sons – Mai Le Khanh Trinh (Valedictorian of 2021) and Mai Le Khanh Hung (Valedictorian of 2025) – both graduated with outstanding achievements, receiving scholarships worth $388,000 and $550,000 respectively from prestigious universities in the US and Canada. Notably, Khanh Hung also won the International Merit Admission Award from the University of Toronto – Canada's top-ranked university. “The American-standard curriculum, the high-quality faculty, and the comprehensive learning environment are what make us place our complete trust in APU,” Mr. Hoan shared.

Sharing that belief, Mr. Nguyen Trong Nghia, parent of the 2025 Valedictorian Nguyen Chau Ngoc, said he has followed APU for over a decade, since his children, such as Bao Chan, Thuy Vy, and Ngoc Truyen, have successively achieved success after graduating from this school. “I sent my daughter to APU because I trust in the quality that has been proven over many generations,” Mr. Nghia said. In 2025, Chau Ngoc continued that tradition by winning scholarships worth nearly 12 billion VND from top universities in the US – once again affirming APU's pioneering role in the journey of Vietnamese students conquering international academic achievement.

Over more than three decades of development, APU and AUV have established collaborative networks with dozens of leading universities in the United States such as Arizona State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Central Michigan University, UMKC, San Diego State University, etc., creating a diverse educational ecosystem from high school to university, contributing to the training of high-quality human resources to serve national development in the context of globalization.

From education to sustainable development – ​​Expanding the strategic role in bilateral relations.

Not content with simply establishing an American-standard education system in Vietnam, Dr. Thy Binh continues to affirm her pioneering role in connecting progressive educational values, contributing to building a sustainable and deeply integrated future for the young generation of Vietnam. The American Education Village project she initiated is not merely an educational complex – but a long-term vision to build a comprehensive training ecosystem spanning from high school to university and postgraduate levels, focusing on cutting-edge fields such as Semiconductor Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Computer Science, Healthcare, Business, and Multimedia Communications…

Inspired by the model of close collaboration between schools, businesses, and society in the United States, the project brings together major partners such as Boeing, partner universities in the US, and the active support of local authorities and diplomatic agencies of both countries. This is not only a step forward in the field of education, but also a foundation for creating knowledge, innovation, and entrepreneurship centers, playing a key role in the strategy of developing high-skilled human resources for Vietnam in the era of integration.

Sharing her perspective on this direction, Dr. Tran Nguyen Thy Binh emphasized: “Education cannot be confined solely to books or degrees. We need an ecosystem where students learn not only to know, but also to do, to live, and to contribute to the development of the community and the country. That is why I believe that education must go hand in hand with a vision for sustainable development and global responsibility.”

With a pioneering spirit, strong leadership, and a heart always devoted to her homeland, Dr. Thy Binh and the APU Group are writing a new chapter in the Vietnam-US relationship: where knowledge, innovation, and sustainable development blend together to create lasting value for both nations.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/ba-thap-ky-gan-ket-viet-my-hanh-trinh-tri-thuc-tu-mot-giac-mo-kien-dinh-332702.html