Fostering Understanding of Peace and Reconciliation Among Future Generations: USABCI President

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Margaret Hanson-Muse, President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council Institute (USABCI)

- Why has USABCI chosen to pay attention to the issue of searching for those missing in action after the war in Vietnam?

We see the Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative (VWAI) as a bridge between two of our strategic pillars: education and humanitarian health. As we developed the initiative, we sought funding to support its implementation and were fortunate to secure support from the U.S. Department of War. This has enabled us to provide grants to organizations whose work advances both educational and humanitarian objectives.

- What goals has USABCI set for activities related to the search for missing persons in Vietnam in 2026 and in the coming years?

In 2026, we awarded our first grant to Cultural Vistas, a nonprofit organization that shares many of our values. In partnership with the Longest Climb Foundation, Cultural Vistas will develop a journey for US veterans, with a visit to Vietnam planned for September.

Through this program, we will collect photographs, stories, and insights about places to visit, activities to undertake, and themes to explore. Most importantly, the experience will ultimately be developed into an educational curriculum for K-12 students in both the United States and Vietnam. The initiative is therefore intended not only for veterans, but also for future generations, including their descendants.

Another key objective is to encourage greater private-sector participation. We still have approximately USD 175,000 available in our grant fund to match contributions supporting activities in Vietnam.

In December, we also plan to participate in the Vietnam International Defence Expo with support from the US Embassy. We hope to engage smaller companies that are interested in Vietnam, including those that may not have previously done business in the country. However, participating companies should have a strong commitment to humanitarian work or corporate social responsibility initiatives that align with the goals of the program.

- During the implementation of activities in Vietnam, what does USABCI see as the greatest advantages and challenges?

One of the greatest advantages is the opportunity to be present in Vietnam and engage directly with our partners. Coordinating schedules and arranging participation requires considerable effort, but face-to-face engagement is invaluable.

The greatest challenge remains distance. We would welcome opportunities to visit more frequently, as regular interaction helps both sides better understand each other's needs and priorities.

I am particularly looking forward to visiting a site where recovery operations are currently underway. I also hope to encourage more members of our parent organization, USABC, to become involved in and support this initiative.

At the same time, distance and time constraints continue to present challenges. People have demanding schedules, and ensuring that stakeholders understand the importance of the program and make time to engage with it requires ongoing effort.

- In which areas does USABCI hope Vietnam will provide further support or strengthen coordination?

We currently receive strong support from our local partners and office in Vietnam. As our programs and collaborative platforms continue to develop, coordination will become increasingly important.

One challenge is identifying suitable opportunities for collaboration across different time zones. We also hope to work closely with our Vietnamese partners to develop materials and initiatives that are mutually beneficial, foster trust, and strengthen cooperation.

Ultimately, our goal is to deepen trust and collaboration between both sides.

Leaders of the Vietnam-USA Society hold a working session with a delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council Institute (USABCI) and representatives of US organizations and businesses on June 1. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

- Following programs such as VWAI, what do you hope younger generations in Vietnam and the United States will better understand about war and reconciliation?

For many young people today, awareness of the conflict begins from a very limited understanding. As discussed during today's program, many of those who directly experienced the war are now older, while younger generations are often focused on many other priorities and may have fewer opportunities to hear these stories firsthand.

We hope that by listening to these experiences and engaging with this important history, young people will gain a deeper appreciation for the value of peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding. Our goal is to encourage future generations to think about reconciliation and conflict prevention before divisions emerge.

This is not an easy task. We are competing for attention in an environment shaped by rapidly evolving technologies and digital platforms. That is why it is essential to find the right messages and the most effective ways to communicate them so that these important lessons resonate with young people today.

- Thank you very much!

Part 1: Humanitarian Legacy Paves Way for Future Before Vietnam-US relations were normalized in 1995, there were already quiet bridges spanning the ocean, built on compassion, goodwill, and the aspiration for reconciliation. Ha ...

Part 2: Seeds of Peace In the late 1980s, a conference at Stony Point (New York, USA) opened a new chapter in Vietnam-US humanitarian cooperation, bringing non-governmental organizations and US ...