"Congratulations to ambassador Jennifer Wicks on her swearing-in as US ambassador to Vietnam," the US embassy in Hanoi announced in a post today on its official Facebook account.
The US embassy later confirmed the ceremony took place on 15/6 in Washington, D.C.
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Jennifer Wicks is sworn in as US ambassador to Vietnam. *Photo: U.S. Embassy in Hanoi*. |
The US Senate confirmed Wicks' nomination as the first female US ambassador to Vietnam on 18/5, with 46 votes in favor and 43 against. The previous US ambassador to Vietnam, Marc Knapper, concluded his term on 18/1.
According to US regulations, after Senate confirmation, an ambassador travels to their assigned country to present credentials to the host nation's head of state, thereby beginning their term.
Wicks is a career civil servant with nearly 31 years of experience working in the US government, according to the Statement of Competence for Chief of Mission Candidates released by the US Department of State on 29/10/2025.
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Jennifer Wicks at her swearing-in ceremony as US ambassador to Vietnam. *Photo: U.S. Embassy in Hanoi*. |
She began her government career in the US Army, stationed in South Korea, and later in Hawaii and Virginia.
In 2003, she transitioned to the US Department of State, holding various positions such as Chief of Staff for the Bureau of Foreign Assistance Resources, senior advisor for administration and public affairs to the under secretary of state for management, and special assistant to the assistant secretary of state for management.
She served as Director of the Office of Presidential Appointments at the White House from November 2012, working across four administrations. In this role, she regularly collaborated with senior officials at the White House and the US Department of State.
In her opening statement during her confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee in December 2025, Wicks reiterated the commitment of President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to view Vietnam as one of the most important US partners in the region. "A strong, independent, and resilient Vietnam benefits the United States," she stated.
Ngoc Anh
