Jennifer Wicks sworn in as 1st female US ambassador to Vietnam

It remains unclear when she will arrive in Vietnam to begin her duties.

“We are excited to welcome Ambassador Jennifer Wicks to Vietnam and look forward to strengthening the enduring partnership and friendship between our two countries,” the post stated.

Wicks has more than 30 years of experience in the U.S. government, beginning her career in the U.S. military at a base in South Korea before holding a number of military leadership and management positions in Hawaii and Virginia.

After joining the U.S. Department of State in 2003, she served in positions including chief of staff of the Office of Foreign Assistance Resources, senior advisor for legislative and public affairs to the Under Secretary of State for Management, and special assistant to the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration.

Since November 2012, she has served as director of the Office of Presidential Appointments under the U.S. Department of State, working under four U.S. presidents.

She holds a master of science degree in national security strategy from the National War College and a master of public administration degree from American University.

In testimony before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on December 11, 2025, Wicks said U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had underscored the geopolitical significance of the Indo-Pacific region, where Vietnam is considered one of the United States’ most important partners.

At the time, she said that if confirmed, her priority would be advancing U.S. interests in bilateral relations with Vietnam, focusing on defense and security cooperation, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

She also expressed hope to expand market access for U.S. goods and services, support the development of diversified and resilient supply chains, and encourage Vietnamese investment in the United States.