Strengthening the connection between Vietnamese businesses and the San Francisco Bay Area (USA)

On December 5, in San Francisco (USA), the Vietnam - San Francisco Bay Area Business Connection 2025 event took place in a bustling atmosphere, an annual highlight in a series of activities to enhance exchanges between Vietnamese businesses and Vietnamese-American businesses.

Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan shares about the new phase of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and opportunities to enhance business connections between the two countries. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)

The event was organized by the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco, in collaboration with the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and the consulting firm Protiviti, with the participation of many Vietnamese-American businessmen, technology experts, US businesses and representatives of several Vietnamese businesses such as Viettel, THACO Auto, Sai Thanh Tourist, as well as US friends representing the San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee.

This is not only a business networking meeting but also a forum to exchange strategic visions in the new period, more than two years after Vietnam and the United States upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

As the two countries accelerate cooperation in supply chains, high technology, innovation, clean energy, and education and training, the San Francisco Bay Area continues to assert its leading role in connecting resources, knowledge, and expert networks.

The main discussion session of the event included a presentation by Consul General, Dr. Hoang Anh Tuan, and discussions by three speakers and a number of businesses. The atmosphere of open, professional and cooperative exchanges created an important foundation for businesses from both countries to seek opportunities, share experiences and shape new cooperation projects in the future.

San Francisco Bay at the heart of Vietnam-US cooperation

The main panel discussion between the four speakers of the event created a space for frank, strategic and in-depth exchanges. Speaking as the moderator of the Panel was Ms. Christina Bui, Vice President of Business Management Solutions at the consulting firm Protiviti and Robert Half, founder of Cailan Ventures.

Drawing on her extensive experience as a business connection consultant between the two countries and as one of the pioneers in bringing US businesses to Vietnam in the early 1990s, Christina Bui affirmed: "With Vietnam emerging as one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and the US serving as a key strategic partner in innovation, capital and technology, the current moment offers extraordinary potential for deeper collaboration across sectors - from AI and semiconductors to digital infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and trade."

Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan shared his perspective on the new development phase of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the special role of the San Francisco Bay Area. He emphasized, “After more than two years of upgrading the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, we are in a period where cooperation is not only expanding in scale but also entering areas with long-term impacts such as AI, semiconductors, renewable energy and high-quality human resource development."

The Consul General affirmed that Vietnam and the United States are entering a period of cooperation based on co-creation: "What makes me most optimistic is that cooperation between the two countries is increasingly led by scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs and investors - people who are creating practical value every day."

The Consul General outlined Vietnam’s three goals for strengthening its connection with the San Francisco Bay Area: “We want to create a real platform for US companies and Vietnamese businesses to meet, collaborate and share opportunities. We want the Vietnamese community in this region – especially those working in AI, semiconductors, clean energy and digital technology – to strengthen their connections with Vietnam. And we want to expand our network of founders, investors and experts, so that they can become a strong bridge between the two countries.”

From the presence and business relationships of NVIDIA, OpenAI, FPT, Viettel to Vietnamese entrepreneurs starting up in robotics, fintech, biotech or clean energy, the Consul General emphasized: "This is no longer a traditional trade exchange, but a cooperation to create new technological values ​​for both sides."

Guest speakers include Attorney Jenny Y. Liu (first from right to left), Mr. Christopher Nguyen (third from right to left), Mr. Dung Nguyen (fourth from right to left), and the coordinator of the Panel Discussion, Ms. Christina Bui (pink ao dai). (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)

AI, open technology and digital infrastructure - pillars shaping the future

Sharing his opinion on the fact that Vietnam is considered a new bright spot of AI and open technology, speaker Christopher Nguyen, CEO and Co-founder of Aitomatic, emphasized his hopeful assessment of Vietnam's new position in the AI ​​field.

He believes that Vietnam has a “timing advantage” when its young and agile engineering force can access advanced technology. He shared: “If Vietnam steadfastly pursues open technology and AI sovereignty, Vietnam can design customized AI models for each industry, creating the value that many countries are looking for.”

He stressed that AI is not just a tool for automation but also a foundation for restructuring the entire value chain of manufacturing, logistics, healthcare and education. The San Francisco Bay Area can contribute R&D foundations, while Vietnam offers speed of implementation and skilled workforce – a powerful complementary model.

Law is considered a key to help Vietnamese businesses expand into the US market. Representative of Pillsbury Law Firm, Attorney Jenny Y. Liu, shared about the requirement to comply with the US legal framework for Vietnamese businesses when participating in the US market. She analyzed: "From legal structure, intellectual property, commercial contracts to regulations related to national security, supervision of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS - an interagency agency chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury), every factor directly affects the success of expanding abroad."

Lawyer Jenny recommends that Vietnamese businesses prepare legally early to reduce risks: “Legal transparency is not only for compliance but also helps create long-term competitive advantages, especially in high-tech fields.”

Discussing the topic of digital infrastructure – the foundation for sustainable cooperation, Viettel America representative, Mr. Nguyen Dung, Operations Director, shared Viettel’s priority in developing digital infrastructure associated with community benefits; at the same time emphasizing the need to upgrade Vietnam’s digital infrastructure. He said: “Vietnam is accelerating digital transformation, thanks to which the demand for data centers, cloud computing, network security and modern telecommunications is increasing rapidly.”

Mr. Dung expressed his belief that the San Francisco Bay Area, with its strength in innovation, can cooperate with Vietnam to build large-scale technical infrastructure projects: “When combining the dynamic Vietnamese market with the R&D capacity of the United States, we can create long-term, sustainable projects with regional impact.”

Delegates attending the Vietnam Business Connection event – ​​San Francisco Bay Area, December 5. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)

Open discussion - strengthen trust and connect business networks

The open discussion, Q&A session between businesses and speakers, as well as contact and exchange between many representatives of participating businesses were very lively. Many questions from US businesses revolved around opportunities for small and medium enterprises, legal requirements in technology transfer, the future of training human resources in semiconductors - AI, and the impact of new tax policies.

Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan answered frankly: “Vietnam is promoting strong reforms to create a more stable, transparent and favorable business environment. We focus on promoting innovation, improving intellectual property protection, promoting digital government, and creating mechanisms to support long-term investment by US businesses.”

The speakers also shared practical experiences. Mr. Christopher Nguyen pointed out: “Vietnam’s AI human resources are growing rapidly. What businesses need is a training model that is linked to real needs.”

Attorney Jenny Y. Liu said that her experience working with Chinese and US businesses clearly shows: “Understanding US law is a prerequisite for sustainable expansion.”

“Vietnam’s digital infrastructure is a great opportunity for research and development cooperation,” said Viettel America’s chief operating officer Nguyen Dung.

An American business shared that his company has many advantages and is expanding its operations in Vietnam; he hopes that Vietnam will continue to improve regulations and procedures to facilitate and shorten the time for importing advanced equipment and technology into Vietnam.

Representatives of several Vietnamese businesses attending the event shared their desire to establish and increase their presence in the US market, the need to strengthen connections with business networks in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as share experiences with the Vietnamese business community in this area.

The Vietnam – San Francisco Bay Area Business Connection event concluded with many strategic suggestions for future cooperation. Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed: “This is the time to build, invest and strengthen cooperation. Vietnam is committed to being a reliable and future-oriented partner. The Vietnamese community in the San Francisco Bay Area will always be one of the strongest bridges bringing us together to the future.”

Delegates attending the event shared their hope that the connections made today will contribute positively to continuing to shape a new decade of comprehensive and stronger cooperation, with Vietnam emerging as a regional high-tech manufacturing hub, and the San Francisco Bay Area continuing to be a cradle of global innovation spreading and strengthening connections with Vietnam, meeting the aspirations and interests of both sides.

The intersection of knowledge, technology, market and people is the foundation to continue bringing the Vietnam-US relationship into a period of comprehensive cooperation that is increasingly deeper, broader and more sustainable, for peace, cooperation and sustainable development of the two countries and the region.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tang-cuong-ket-noi-doanh-nghiep-viet-nam-khu-vuc-vinh-san-francisco-hoa-ky-337028.html