DA NANG, VIETNAM (April 8, 2026) – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University’s (ASU) McCain Global Leaders (MGLs) 2025 Cohort concluded their 12-month program with the Legacy Experience and graduation ceremony in Vietnam. This year, the MGLs also experienced the unveiling of the refurbished John S. McCain Monument at Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi.
MGLs attended the unveiling ceremony of the refurbished John S. McCain Monument at Truc Bach Lake in Hanoi, Vietnam, including a wreath laying, to honor his enduring legacy in Vietnam from his time as a prisoner of war (POW) to his vocal advocacy for normalized relations between the United States and Vietnam. Each MGL laid a flower at the memorial, and remarks were delivered by McCain Institute board member and Global Advisory Council member Elisa Massimino, the Deputy Chief of Mission from the U.S. Embassy Courtney Beale, 2025 McCain Global Leader Ajay Krishnan.
This unveiling was part of a multi-year long refurbishment process, including active involvement from the McCain family, Senator McCain’s long time speechwriter Mark Salter, and the local Vietnamese government. The monument, erected in 1975 incorrectly listed Senator McCain as an Air Force pilot—it now correctly lists him as a Navy pilot, has been reconstructed using more durable granite, and was outfitted with lighting to ensure visibility at night. A new placard now provides context about the site’s significance in both Vietnamese and English.
“This renovation is a meaningful way to preserve my father’s legacy in Vietnam,” said McCain Global Leaders Global Advisory Council Member James McCain. “It reflects not only where he was, but the values that defined his life—service, resilience, and the importance of moving forward.”
The Legacy Experience involves an eight-day immersive journey into Senator McCain’s personal leadership journey and the cultural landscape of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, following regional visits to Arizona, Taiwan, Kenya, Finland, and Estonia throughout the 12-month fellowship.
The cohort’s visit to the Hoa Lo Prison Relic, or “Hanoi Hilton,” gave MGLs a firsthand look into Senator McCain’s more than five years as a POW, and how this experience informed his work to craft legislation to protect all people from torture and unjust detention in the Senate.
“Vietnam stands as one of the most compelling examples of how former adversaries can build a durable and strategic partnership grounded in mutual respect and shared interests,” said McCain Institute Assistant Director for Global Leadership Scott Nemeth. “Throughout the Legacy Experience, the 2025 Cohort wrestled with complex questions about leadership, accountability, and reconciliation—lessons that extend far beyond Vietnam. That kind of reflection is essential as they step forward to lead in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.”
The delegation virtually engaged with James McCain to discuss Senator McCain’s legacy of service, resilience, and principled leadership. They met with Vietnam War Veteran Chuck Searcy and Former Vietnam Ambassador to the United Nations Bùi The Giang to learn about the beginning of peace efforts and the evolution of relations between the two countries. The leaders also engaged with the Da Nang Association for Victims of Agent Orange to learn about the lasting effects of the war on the Vietnamese people. They learned more about the U.S.-Vietnam War with an educational visit to the War Remnants Museum, and the unique growing relationship between the United States and Vietnam at the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi.
“My experience in Vietnam challenged me to lead with greater empathy and cultural awareness,” said 2025 McCain Global Leader from Ukraine, Vira Konstantynova. “Standing in a place that honors Sen. John McCain’s legacy reinforced for me the enduring power of resilience, courage, and reconciliation in leadership. It ultimately reshaped my understanding of leadership as service grounded in humility, connection, and a commitment to something greater than oneself.”
McCain Institute Global Advisory Council Members, Board Director and Strategic Advisor, Philanthropy and Impact, Audacy Partners, Global Philanthropic Jean Sung, Executive Director of Damson Capital Leon Toh, Georgetown University Law Center Human Rights Institute Executive Director Elisa Massimino, and former staffer of Senator McCain Virginia Foote joined the delegation and spoke to the MGLs on topics ranging from the advancement of democracy and human rights, to how the cohort can work together to solve global challenges.
“The Legacy Experience in Vietnam is so powerful because it asks leaders to engage not only with history, but with its lasting impact on people, policy, and partnerships today,” said McCain Global Leaders Global Advisory Council Member Elisa Massimino, who also serves on the McCain Institute’s Board of Trustees. “Grounded in Senator John McCain’s legacy of service, resilience, and reconciliation, the McCain Global Leaders program creates a unique space for emerging leaders to engage across differences, confront complex global challenges, and build the trust and collaboration needed to drive meaningful change.”
The McCain Global Leaders program is designed to empower the next generation of leaders inspired by Senator John McCain’s life and legacy. The next MGL Cohort will be announced in June 2026.
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