McCain Institute 2024 Global Leaders conclude fellowship with legacy experience and graduation ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (June 4, 2025) – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University’s (ASU) McCain Global Leaders (MGLs) concluded their 2024 Changemaker Tour with a visit to Vietnam to commemorate the 30th anniversary of normalized relations between Vietnam and the United States with a wreath laying at the John S. McCain Memorial at Trúc Bạch Lake, the site where Senator McCain landed after being shot down during the Vietnam War.
The MGLs also toured the Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed the Hanoi Hilton by American POWs, where Senator McCain spent five-and-a-half years as a POW. The delegation explored the legacy of peace and reconciliation through meetings with U.S embassy officials and U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Mark Knapper, conversations with Vietnam War veteran Chuck Searcy, roundtables with young Vietnamese leaders, and a virtual discussion with Ambassador Cindy McCain. The trip emphasized Senator McCain’s personal leadership journey, particularly his work on normalizing relations between Vietnam and the United States. To learn more about Senator McCain’s leading role in normalizing U.S. relations with Vietnam, watch a video HERE.
“The story of Vietnam and the United States is often told through a dark lens of war, hatred and destruction. However, the milestone of 30 years of normalized relations offers a much different, more hopeful story that two countries once at war can come together in partnership for the greater good of their citizens and the global community,” said McCain Institute Assistant Director for Global Leadership Scott Nemeth. “This visit comes during a time when international partnerships are being called into question and the U.S. is adjusting its footing on the global stage. The delegation had an opportunity to learn why relationships like this are key to the economic and national security of the United States and our allies, especially here in the Indo-Pacific region.”
McCain Institute Global Advisory Council Members, including Arizona Cardinals Player Kelvin Beachum, U.S. Department of State Former Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues Hon. Abby Finkenauer, Vietnam politics and trade expert Virginia Foote, International Consultant Djordje Todorovic, and Damson Capital Executive Director Leon Toh, joined the delegation and spoke with MGLs on topics ranging from the importance of service and education, to advancing democracy and human rights around the globe.
“The U.S.–Vietnam relationship is a powerful example of how former adversaries can move beyond conflict to build peace and mutual respect. As a Ukrainian, I draw hope from this transformation. At the same time, I recognize that the war in Ukraine is different – it is an unprovoked act of aggression against a sovereign nation. Yet even in the face of such brutality, the U.S.–Vietnam story reminds us that peace is possible when justice, accountability, and long-term commitment to healing are prioritized,” said MGL Alyona Nevmerzhystka, media manager, CEO, hromadske.ua
The delegation also visited the War Remnants Museum to learn about the start of the war and eventual fall of Saigon 50 years ago, met with Victims of Agent Orange to learn about the lasting effects of the war on the Vietnamese people, and volunteered at a Da Nang soup kitchen.
“At a time when the global community faces great challenge as it relates to democracy and human rights, the McCain Global Leaders program provides incredible opportunity for young leaders from around the world to come together and identify solutions that benefit the greater good. Gathering in Vietnam, a place that represents the legacy of Senator John McCain as well as serves as a powerful reminder that peace and reconciliation is possible, allowed the global leaders to come together and determine how they will leave their mark on their home countries, regions and globally,” said former Congresswoman and U.S. Special Envoy for Global Youth Abby Finkenauer.
This trip concludes a year-long immersive leadership journey which included regional visits to Annapolis, Md. and Washington D.C., Taiwan, Kenya, and Argentina. The next McCain Global Leaders cohort will be announced in June 2025. To learn more about the program and participants, follow along on the McCain Institute’s MGL Webpage or on Instagram and X.
About the McCain Institute at Arizona State University
The McCain Institute is a nonpartisan organization inspired by Senator John McCain and his family’s dedication to public service. We are part of Arizona State University and based in Washington, D.C. Our programs defend democracy, advance human rights and freedom, and empower character-driven leaders. Our unique power to convene leaders across the global political spectrum enables us to make a real impact on the world’s most pressing challenges. Our goal is action, not talk, and like Senator McCain, we are fighting to create a free, safe, and just world for all.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.