On January 3, 2025, the OV Summit Conference-themed "Crossing Over" brought together hundreds of overseas Vietnamese (OVs) and expats at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel to explore Vietnam's dynamic market and opportunities open to overseas Vietnamese who bring a unique blend of heritage connections and international perspectives.
The event opened with a speech by Quang Do, Founder of the Overseas Vietnamese community, followed by an inspiring keynote from Chris Do, CEO & Founder of The Futur, on leveraging cultural strengths to develop personal brands. Chris’s session resonated deeply with attendees, setting an engaging tone for the conference.
The conference kicked off the afternoon session with a lively interactive segment by LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam, sparking excitement among the audience with engaging questions about LEGO in Vietnam.
Together, the panels painted a nuanced picture of Vietnam as a land of immense opportunities, tempered by unique challenges that require resilience, adaptability, and a forward-looking approach.
OV And Expat Hiring Trends in Vietnam: Insights From Recruiters
In the panel themed "Securing Your Dream Job at Vietnam's Top Corporations", An Vo, Founding Partner & Managing Director of Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory, noted that Vietnamese talent now prefers local conglomerates over multinational corporations (MNCs), mirroring trends in Japan and South Korea.
Local companies are also benchmarking compensation against international standards, making salaries competitive with markets like Singapore and Malaysia. This shift helps attract top talent, including overseas Vietnamese (OVs).
Despite progress, Vietnam’s talent pool still lacks R&D capabilities, digital transformation leadership, and experience in scaling businesses internationally. Companies also need leaders skilled in managing large-scale operations and developing data and technology strategies.
When asked how to prepare OV and expat employees beyond corporate life, Tin Danh, Talent Operations Senior Manager at LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam, he advised researching the local job market to identify in-demand skills and obtaining certifications relevant to those areas, such as local accounting standards for finance professionals.
To stand out, candidates should tailor their resumes by integrating global experience with elements relevant to Vietnam’s context, emphasizing cultural understanding and language skills.
For Alexis Pham - Chief People Officer at Masterise Group, who transitioned from multinationals like British American Tobacco to local organizations such as Techcombank and now Masterise Group, she stresses the importance of clarity and mindset for OVs and expats returning to Vietnam.
She advises being honest about your motivations, whether to create value, leave a legacy, or explore opportunities. Alexis emphasized that Vietnam is not a place to “fix” but to collaborate and contribute. With purpose and an open mind, she says, returnees can grow alongside the country’s remarkable progress.
Transitioning to Vietnam's Corporate Environment: C-Suite Insights
For Khanh Ngo, CEO of Liobank by OCB, during 17 years living and working abroad, he built a global career, working with TikTok in Canada and Singapore before deciding to “pack up and come back for good” with his wife.
Similarly, Tu Duong, Chief Transformation Officer at ACB, returned to Vietnam seeking a sense of belonging after growing up in Malaysia and Sydney. While both leaders faced challenges adapting to Vietnam’s corporate environment, their experiences offer valuable lessons for other Overseas Vietnamese (OVs).
Khanh highlights the importance of leveraging global expertise while adapting it to Vietnam’s unique dynamics, advocating for a “think global, act local” approach.
For Tu, fostering trust in Vietnam’s risk-averse workplace culture is crucial. He emphasizes creating an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. Khanh, meanwhile, advises engaging with the community through volunteering or supporting local causes, which not only builds networks and personal branding but also deepens ties to the country.
Doing Businesses In Vietnam: The Myth Vs. The Reality
Investment Climate: Full Of Potential, Yet Requires Caution
In the panel discussion “Where's the Investment Flowing to?”, the panelists highlighted Vietnam’s dynamic investment landscape, where technology-driven industries like Web3 and AI are thriving
Thanh Le - Founder of Ninety Eight highlighted blockchain as a rare case where Vietnam has already produced billion-dollar companies, unlike other tech sectors. This signals a significant achievement in a relatively new industry, showcasing Vietnam's potential to lead in emerging technologies.
Along with Thanh Le, Tuyet Vu - Advisor at Vertex Ventures SEA & India (one of the largest venture funds in the region, which has been active for decades and boasts a portfolio of five to six unicorns,) also pointed AI as a high-potential sector.
She praised the high quality of Vietnamese engineers and their technical capabilities but pointed out a lack of infrastructure and sufficient skilled professionals to support large-scale development.
For investment opportunities, Minh Le - Investment Strategist at Vietinvest.au pointed to the continued relevance of traditional sectors like banking and real estate but stressed that technology-driven industries such as AI and life sciences are poised to take the lead, driven by Vietnam’s young, tech-savvy workforce.
Minh also offered a cautionary note to investors. At first glance, the country might seem full of potential, with money-making opportunities everywhere. You’ll hear pitches that are incredibly compelling—stories that might make you want to invest everything you have. But the real test lies in execution and trust, and eventually can cost you a lot of money. Even after working closely with founders, you might not fully understand how the business operates until challenges arise.
Startups In Vietnam: The Opportunities And Challenges
Vietnam offers entrepreneurs low costs, a motivated workforce, and a growing market. During the panel “Starting Your Own Business in Vietnam,” speakers shared why they chose Vietnam and the hurdles they faced.
Kieu Anh Tran, Founder and CEO of Dong Dong, returned to Vietnam after a decade in the UK to reconnect with her roots. Inspired by Vietnam’s resources, such as recyclable tarpaulins, and growing interest in sustainability, she built a business with a strong foundation. However, she found managing people challenging, particularly navigating cultural differences in communication styles.
Phoebe Tran felt compelled to reconnect with her roots and contribute to Vietnam’s growth after years of climbing the corporate ladder. Drawn by Vietnam’s rich heritage and dynamic growth, she founded The Village Château Distillery, aiming to bring Vietnamese liquor to the global stage.
As building her business, Phoebe's biggest challenge has been maintaining global production standards while training local teams, which requires patience and persistence.
Expanding Beyond Borders: Vietnam As A Global Hub
In the panel discussion “Operate In Vietnam, Sell Globally,” Howard Silby, General Director at NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam, emphasized how NAB Innovation Center Vietnam's "insourcing" strategy leverages Vietnam's talent pool to build tech solutions for a global client while fostering local expertise.
The other panelists noted Vietnam’s advantages, including strong STEM education, motivated professionals, and cost-effective operations. They also addressed challenges such as regulatory clarity and the importance of sustainability. Vietnam’s potential in technology, education, and manufacturing makes it an attractive market for entrepreneurs and investors.
The last panel "Real Estate Development Spotlight," featuring Lawrence Lennon, Director of Capital Markets Services at CBRE Vietnam, shed light on Vietnam’s booming real estate market driven by urbanization, foreign investment, and government initiatives.
Lennon also discussed the potential for green buildings and sustainable developments, which Leo Nishimura, Executive Director of BECAMEX TOKYU, highly agreed. Leo emphasized the need to address Vietnam's unique urban challenges, such as rapid urbanization.
He also shared examples of BECAMEX TOKYU's green initiatives, such as incorporating eco-friendly designs and renewable energy solutions, which align with Vietnam's evolving urban landscape.
Other prominent sectors, including sustainability, technology, food and beverage (F&B), and content creation, were thoroughly explored through dedicated panel sessions, offering overseas Vietnamese valuable insights and opportunities to tap into Vietnam's dynamic market.
The conference wrapped up with a book signing event by Chris Do, where eager attendees queued with copies of Pocket Full of Do in hand, eager for a personal moment with the author.
But the energy didn’t end there. As night fell, participants gathered at The Nexus Square for an electrifying after-party featuring vibrant DJ sets by Levi Oi, delectable cuisine by CTY Kitchen + Bar, and a memorable taste from Don Julio and Rượu Làng.
Other moments from the conference:
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
Special thanks to our sponsors & partners for accompanying us in this event:
- Title Sponsor: Ninety Eight
- Major Sponsor: LEGO Manufacturing Vietnam
- Recruitment Lead Partner: Janus Executive Search & Talent Advisory
- Engagement Partner: BECAMEX TOKYU, Vietinvest.au, Gohub & Liobank by OCB, Diageo (Owner of Johnnie Walker, Don Julio), Rượu Làng and East West Brewing
- Travel Partner: BE
- Communications Partner: British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam (BritCham), Shark Tank Vietnam & Nordcham
18+ Drink Responsibly.
Please do not share with those under legal drinking age.