Everything You Need To Know: Overseas Vietnamese Summit Ho Chi Minh City 2025

Vietcetera and OV believe in the value of investing time and energy into coming together to share ideas and spark conversations that shape an informed world view.

This is what our Overseas Vietnamese Summit sets out to do by assembling the current and future generation of globally minded Vietnamese and overseas diaspora’s boldest thinkers, industry leaders and creative talent for a real conversation on the things that matter to us all.

For more detailed information about Overseas Vietnamese Summit 2025, click here.

What to expect at Overseas Vietnamese Summit 2025: Crossing Over

Attend to meet industry leaders, innovative creatives and smart thinkers for three days of conversation and stand-out hospitality. More than 20 speakers and an estimated 600 international attendees will come together to exchange perspectives on building a better future in life and business.

We will welcome you in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday 2 January with an evening cocktail reception and registration. In the morning, for those that RSVP, we will also be curating several different tracks of the company tour offering throughout the city.

Last year, we visited the new headquarters of companies like Vinamilk, Masan, Techcombank and experiential destinations like Sun Life’s De La Sol and the podcast studios of Vietcetera.

On Friday 3 January, Vietcetera’s editors and Overseas Vietnamese’s community managers will host a packed day of in-depth interviews and panel discussions.

Our keynote speaker is Chris Do, the self-proclaimed ‘Loud Introvert’ who has taught millions of creatives on the internet with his business The Futur, flying in from Los Angeles. We will also host a sales masterclass with him on 4 January.

In the evening of the 3rd, we will enjoy a specially curated evening at the newly built Nexus Square in District 1 overlooking the Saigon River, with a DJ line up headlined by Levi Oi.

On Saturday 4 January, we will start the day with a tour of the best lifestyle and cultural highlights in the city, giving a lens into what life could be like in Vietnam’s largest urban center for those considering a move to Vietnam, as well as a view for those itching to get their entrepreneurial or innovative spirit a kick.

The last day will be complete with special access and experiences curated by the Vietcetera and OV team. We will say farewell with a late brunch – plus a boat ride jaunt along the Saigon River!

Are you thinking of being a speaker or nominating someone to speak at the summit? Let us know here.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This Q&A will be updated frequently and is up to date as of 12 November 2024.

Where is the venue of the main conference on day two?

The main conference will be held at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel in District 1. We estimate to have 600 attendees for the conference day.

What is the setting of the Cocktail Reception and After Party?

The cocktail reception venue will be announced soon.

The after party on Friday 3 January will be a combined affair for all ticket holders, at the al fresco-style Nexus Square in District 1 HCMC. All evening receptions will be free flow canapes and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

I’m not an Overseas Vietnamese. Can I attend?

All nationalities and ethnicities are welcome. This program is relevant to anyone seeking to make a move to Vietnam, work and live in Vietnam, learn more about Vietnamese communities, or do business with the Overseas Vietnamese community.

We have had many attendees in the first summit with international backgrounds, such as a real estate developer from Japan, a technology entrepreneur from the US, and former international school students who lived in Vietnam with Korean, French, and other backgrounds looking to now re-integrate in Vietnam after a period of time abroad.

All are welcome.

What is the format of the All-Day Conference?

We will have a main conference hall filled with keynotes and panels. We will also have a select number of workshop spaces as well as an exhibition space for companies.

There will be coffee breaks as well as a full spread buffet lunch, with the usual Vietcetera-curated premium offering.

What sort of people are expected to attend?

As of 12 November, 95% of ticket buyers thus far are hailing from overseas, predominately the United States.

Most attendees will be of overseas Vietnamese background. We expect more than 70% to have home countries from abroad and the rest already living or from Vietnam.

The average age last year was in the late 20’s, but we expect this year to have an average age of around early to mid 30’s.

Nearly 100% of the demographic will hold a bachelor’s degree or higher education level, or have white-collar office work experience of at least 5+ years. All attendees will have fluency in English due to the nature of the program and the majority will have command of Vietnamese.

Last year, many smaller communities were formed at the event, including groups for Overseas Vietnamese from France, Germany, and more.

What can I expect from the Curated Company Tours?

We will be curating our attendees based on their backgrounds with a relevant company tour. We will be breaking up the larger group of ticket holders into two or three tracks, each following a unique and distinctive offering. Notice of this pre-tour matching will be made 72 hours before the tour begins.

Last minute ticket buyers are not guaranteed a spot in the company tours.

What can I expect from the Sideline events?

Our editors are curating a special set of experiences, hosted by the team. Expect unique experiences that a typical tour offering cannot offer.

Last year’s programs included:

• An exclusive private dinner with the chef of Ho Chi Minh City’s only Michelin-starred restaurant Anan Saigon, Peter Cuong Franklin, who also shared an exclusive workshop on Vietnam’s cuisine history.
• A visit to the Have A Sip studio with host Thuy Minh, followed by a live Have A Sip podcast recording.
• An early morning run with Vietcetera CEO Hao Tran and Overseas Vietnamese Founder Quang Do along the Saigon River followed by his favorite power breakfast and coffee spot in the city.

Last minute ticket buyers are not guaranteed a spot in the Sideline events.

How can I engage in networking at the event?

We will be creating a dedicated WhatsApp group for all ticket buyers and be sharing a roster of everyone’s backgrounds before the event.

If I miss one day of the event, can I get a refund for my All-Access Pass?

You can choose to attend all or only part of the series of programs. However, a partial or full refund cannot be offered.

Can I pass my ticket to someone else?

Yes. The ticket exchange fee is 400,000 VND.

How often will this summit happen?

Annually. The first edition was hosted 23-25 January 2024.

About Overseas Vietnamese Summit 2025: Crossing Over

Participate in our homecoming reunion, where Vietnamese professionals from around the world share their experiences and perspectives on seizing opportunities and overcoming challenges in building careers and settling down in Vietnam.

Date: January 2-4, 2025
Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Buy your tickets !

Special thanks to our sponsors & partners for accompanying us in this event, including Ninety Eight (Title Sponsor), Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory (Recruitment Lead Partner), and Vietinvest.au (Engagement Partner).