AVPI Vietnam Forum 2025 Hanoi

Dr. Duy The Bui is a computer scientist and Vice Minister of Science and Technology in Vietnam. In this role he has contributed to Vietnam’s national strategy on artificial intelligence. Earlier he was an associate professor and head of a human–machine interaction lab at Vietnam’s University of Engineering and Technology. Dr. Bui holds a doctorate in computer science and focuses on advancing AI research and innovation in Vietnam.

Ms. Peggy O’Neal AO has been Chancellor of RMIT University since January 2022. She is a corporate lawyer and currently serves as Chair of Vanguard Superannuation. From 2013 to 2022 she was President of the Richmond Australian Rules Football Club, during which time the club won three AFL premierships. O’Neal was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019 for her service to sport, law and business.

Dr. Ta Minh Tuan is Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS). An associate professor of political science, he was appointed to the vice president role in October 2023. He holds a PhD in political science and has previously served as an adviser to senior government leaders. His expertise lies in party policy and governance research, and he contributes to Vietnam’s development planning.

Mr. Layton Pike is Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International & Engagement) at RMIT University. In this role he leads RMIT’s international strategy and oversees the university’s global development and partnerships, including RMIT Vietnam. Pike co-founded the Australia–Vietnam Policy Institute (AVPI) in 2022 and serves on its advisory board. He is a former Australian diplomat who served as Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam (2014–2017).

Cecilia Brennan is Economic Counsellor at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, a position she assumed in August 2023. She leads the Embassy’s economic section, promoting trade and investment ties between Australia and Vietnam. Prior to this role, she worked on Australia’s Indo-Pacific economic framework and trade negotiations. Brennan has also held diplomatic postings in India and Sri Lanka, contributing to regional economic engagement.

Dr. Pham Quat Hong is Director General of the National Agency for Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization (NATEC) under Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology. He has led NATEC since 2014, overseeing Vietnam’s startup ecosystem development and innovation projects. Dr. Pham holds a doctorate in law from Nagoya University (2007) and has over 20 years’ experience in government roles, specialising in intellectual property and technology transfer policy.

Rita Mokbel was appointed Head of Ericsson Vietnam (President) in November 2023. In this role she is responsible for Ericsson’s business operations and strategy in Vietnam. She has over 14 years of experience in Ericsson’s senior leadership, working across Europe, Asia and Africa. Mokbel also leads Ericsson’s global Telenor business unit and sits on the regional executive team for Ericsson Southeast Asia, Oceania and India.

As the Executive Director of AusCham Vietnam, Edwin leads a dynamic and diverse team of professionals who are committed to promoting the interests of Australian businesses and industry in Vietnam.

One of Edwin’s key achievements at AusCham is the establishment and management of the Australian Industry Hub (AusHub), a new entity that helps Australian industry bodies enter and expand in the Vietnamese market, creating new bilateral trade and investment opportunities in line with the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy (EEES).

AusHub leverages AusCham’s local network and in-country support to drive further commodity exports from Australia to Vietnam.

Pham Nhat Nga is the founder and CEO of Creative Solution Consultancy (Creatio). She launched the communications agency in 2011 and to date it has served over 120 clients from around the world. Nga graduated with distinction from RMIT University’s Hanoi campus in 2007. Her work focuses on creative communications projects that promote sustainable and inclusive growth in Vietnam.

Dr. Le Xuan Sang is Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics, also known as the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy. He is an economist who has commented on Vietnam’s economic policy – for example, he noted in 2022 that the country’s growth rate was justified by the recovery measures being taken. Dr. Le’s research interests include sustainable growth and macroeconomic policy in Vietnam and the region.

Professor Trung Nguyen is Interim Deputy Dean (Engagement and International) at RMIT University’s Business School in Vietnam. He is a professor of management with expertise in international business and Asia-Pacific strategy. He contributes to the Australia Vietnam Policy Institute as an AVPI Fellow with research and engagement on Vietnam’s economic and commercial relations.

Dr. Tuan Pham is Deputy Director-General (in charge) of the Institute of Vietnam and World Economy at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences. He earned his PhD in economics from Queensland University of Technology in 2016. His research covers international trade, regional development and Vietnam’s macroeconomic policy. Dr. Pham has published on topics such as exchange rates and economic growth in Vietnam.

Hong Tran is Senior Vice President for Business Development at TMA Solutions (TMA Technology Group) and Managing Director of its corporate incubator TMA Innovation. He has over 16 years of experience in software development and business expansion. In his role at TMA, Tran leads strategy and partnerships for the company’s products and innovation initiatives. He also oversees TMA’s AI center and R&D projects.

Thang Huynh is co-founder and CEO of Innolab Asia, a platform that connects startups, corporations, investors and institutions to foster innovation in Southeast Asia. He also mentors entrepreneurs through the National University of Singapore’s startup programs and the German Accelerator in Southeast Asia. Huynh is recognized for advancing the Vietnamese startup ecosystem and helping Vietnamese entrepreneurs engage with global markets.

Dr. Anh Dao Le Trang is a finance lecturer at RMIT University Vietnam’s Hanoi campus. Her research expertise spans agricultural finance, corporate finance, climate governance, and sustainable development. She has previously taught at Lincoln University (New Zealand) and the National Economics University (Hanoi). Dr. Trang has received awards for her research on climate change and agricultural economics in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. Do Van Long is founder and CEO of AusChain Pty Ltd and the Vietnam Blockchain Corporation. He has over two decades of experience in technology management and enterprise solutions. At Vietnam Blockchain Corp he leads the development of blockchain services across sectors such as agriculture, logistics and fintech. He also drives AusChain’s mission to build blockchain ecosystems connecting Australia and Vietnam.