[Event Recap] Belmont University’s Visit to Vietnam: A Practical Business Exchange at Source of Asia

Introduction

Belmont University’s visit to Vietnam took place in May 2026, as Source of Asia (SOA) welcomed a student delegation from Belmont University for a practical business exchange in Ho Chi Minh City. The visit was part of the SCOPE International Business program of Belmont University – Jack C. Massey College of Business. Over two weeks in Vietnam, students explored the country’s business environment, culture, and growing role in global trade.

During the program, the students worked on a semester-long consulting project with Source of Asia. They later presented their final recommendations directly to SOA’s leadership team. This made the exchange especially meaningful, as it connected academic learning with real business practice in Vietnam and ASEAN.

The SOA working sessions took place on May 12, May 18, and May 20 at our office in Ho Chi Minh City. Across these sessions, students exchanged directly with SOA teams, asked practical questions, and explored strategic topics linked to SOA’s business activities.

The delegation included eight students, divided into two project groups. They were accompanied by Professor Jeffrey Overby and Assistant Dean of External Relations & Strategic Partnerships Jill Robinson.

For SOA, this Belmont University visit to Vietnam was more than an academic exchange. It was also an opportunity to strengthen connections between U.S. business education and Vietnam’s fast-evolving market environment.

Belmont University students participated in working sessions at Source of Asia, connecting classroom learning with real business practice in Vietnam and ASEAN.

A Practical Learning Experience Through the SCOPE International Business Program

The program gave students a closer look at how international business works on the ground in Vietnam. Beyond the working sessions with SOA, the students also met with business and institutional leaders across Ho Chi Minh City. Their learning journey included exchanges with the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnamese company executives, and professionals with experience in foreign direct investment and doing business in Vietnam.

These conversations helped students understand an essential point: international business depends not only on strategy. It also depends on relationships, trust, cultural awareness, and local insight.

At SOA, the students explored practical themes such as market expansion, sourcing and supply chain, local operations, business development, and cross-cultural collaboration. Each discussion helped connect their classroom analysis with the realities of Vietnam’s business environment.

Connecting U.S. students with Vietnam and ASEAN business realities

The final presentation session on May 20 was one of the key moments of the program. Each student group presented final recommendations from their semester-long consulting project with Source of Asia. Their work reflected strong preparation, critical thinking, and a clear effort to understand both SOA’s business context and Vietnam’s fast-changing market environment.

For us, the presentations offered fresh perspectives from U.S. graduate students with a strong interest in global business. They also opened valuable conversations on how international companies, universities, and local business accelerators can work together to create better market understanding.

Through the working sessions and final presentations, students explored practical questions such as:

• How do international companies approach ASEAN markets?
• What challenges do they face when entering Vietnam?
• How do local partners, regulations, and cultural differences shape business decisions?
• What role can a company like SOA play in reducing risk and accelerating execution?
• How can U.S. companies better prepare for expansion into Vietnam and Southeast Asia?

These exchanges helped bridge classroom learning with real market insight. They also brought together diverse cultures, generations, and business perspectives around a shared question: how to create meaningful cross-border collaboration among Vietnam, ASEAN, and the United States.

The Belmont University delegation and Source of Asia team exchanged perspectives on Vietnam’s business environment, ASEAN opportunities, and cross-cultural collaboration.

SOA as a Bridge Between Vietnam, ASEAN, and the U.S.

The visit also reflected our broader mission, which is building bridges between international markets.

For U.S. companies exploring Vietnam or ASEAN, we provide market intelligence, partner identification, sourcing support, corporate setup, and local execution services. These services help companies reduce risk and move from market interest to concrete action.

For Vietnamese and Southeast Asian companies considering U.S. expansion, SOA also supports international connections, market understanding, and partner engagement.

At the same time, academic exchanges create another form of bridge. They help future business leaders understand Southeast Asia not only as a market, but also as a dynamic and complex business environment.

This exchange highlighted Source of Asia’s role as a bridge between Vietnam, ASEAN, and the U.S. through business education and international collaboration.

By welcoming the Belmont University delegation, we contributed to this learning journey. The exchange also allowed us to share field-based perspectives with the next generation of global business professionals.

This is especially important as Vietnam and ASEAN attract growing attention from U.S. companies, universities, and business ecosystems. The region offers strong momentum in supply chain diversification, market entry, digital transformation, and talent development. However, understanding the region requires more than market data. It requires direct conversations, local context, and trusted people on the ground.

For SOA, this is where business, education, and international cooperation meet. By connecting U.S. students with Vietnam’s business realities, the program created a practical bridge between classroom learning and future business action.

Looking Ahead

We are proud to have hosted Belmont University students and faculty during their SCOPE International Business program in Vietnam. This Belmont University visit to Vietnam reaffirmed the importance of dialogue between business and education. It also highlighted the value of connecting U.S. talent with Vietnam and ASEAN’s business environment.

As Southeast Asia continues to grow in strategic importance, SOA remains committed to supporting international companies, academic partners, and future business leaders in understanding and navigating the region. We look forward to continuing to build meaningful bridges between Vietnam, ASEAN, the United States, and global business communities.