In November 2022, Oregon Governor Kate Brown visited Vietnam on a trade mission to advance two-way exchange in security, trade and education. Milestones included signing a 5-year trade Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Industry and Trade at the Vietnam-US Forum, Opening the 2022 Food Expo (which Oregon will be the Guest of Honor in 2023) and visiting Intel, Nike and Columbia field sites. A copy of the trade MOU between Oregon and Vietnam is available here. During the visit, Governor Brown marked the 10-year anniversary of the State Partnership for Peace Program between Vietnam and Oregon implemented through the Oregon National Guard.
Governor Brown first visited Vietnam in 2015 as the only U.S. Governor to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Normalized Relations. Following that visit, PSU officially launched the Vietnam Oregon Initiative through the Hatfield School of Government to serve as the host of delegations for short- and long-term training and education exchange. Since that time, PSU has expanded its transfer programs with Eastern International University and University of Economics-Ho Chi Minh City and continues to provide scholarships for top international students. An overview of recent activities is available here.
Pictured clockwise above:
Oregon Delegation led by Governor Kate Brown and the Ministry of Education and Training Vice Minister Nguyen Van Phuc and Leadership. The November 15 meeting focused on the future of training and education programs from advancing K-12 dual language to higher education two-way exchange. Dr. Van Truong from the Oregon Vietnam Education, Economic and Cultural Association (OVEECA) and Julia Babcock, Portland State University College of Urban and Public Affairs, joined the Governor’s delegation to focus on education initiatives. (Photo: Charles Boyle)
The Friends of Oregon Governor’s Reception in Ho Chi Minh City: Ms. Huyen, Director of the Center for Educational Excellence at Vietnam National University, Dr. Tu Anh, Director of the Institute for Smart City Management, Julia Babcock, Senior Project Manager at Portland State University, UEH President Thanh, Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang and UEH Vice President Khai (Photo Credit Hien Bui Thu)
On November 16, 2022, Intel leadership marked the 10-year anniversary of the Intel Vietnam Scholars Program hosted at PSU as part of their tour with the Governor’s Delegation. Later that day, at the Friends of Oregon Governor’s Reception, University of Economics-Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) was formally recognized as a key partner in future training and education exchange. Since 2018, PSU has been the lead U.S. university for the USAID Strengthening Provincial Capacity Program (USAID-SPC) working with UEHs College of Economics, Government and Law on an Executive Leadership Program, launching a Masters in Public Policy program and short courses for Provincial Officials. The USAID-SPC project concluded successfully in October 2022 and will continue through a 5-year MOU signed in June 2022 by PSU President Stephen Percy and UEH President Su Di Thanh to host faculty and student exchange. Notable next steps include, the launch of a 2+2 Masters Program in Economics led by Dr. John Gallup and Thuy Tu serving as the keynote speaker for a conference on Technology and Resilience. Faculty visits from Dr. Bruce Gilley, Dr. Kevin Kesckes in 2023 and a 2024 Fellowship planned for Steve Greenwood from the National Policy Consensus Center.
The American Center: Bui Thu Hien, Consultant at UNHabitat and i Smart Connection Center, Natella Svistunova, Deputy Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Consulate, Dr. Van Truong, Julia Babcock and Nguyễn Thị Thu Thủy, UEH Lecturer of Tourism