Khai Ngo: Building trade ties and connecting cultures

Khai Ngo is a businessman, community leader and a driving force in strengthening Australia–Vietnam trade relations.

As the co-founder of the Australia-Vietnam Leadership Dialogue, Khai has spent his career building relationships, encouraging cross-border collaboration and creating cultural bridges between Vietnam and Australia.

Khai Ngo’s journey from a refugee camp in Thailand to becoming a prominent leader in building Australia-Vietnam trade relations is a story of cultural understanding, resilience and personal growth.

Building connections: a personal mission

Khai’s family arrived in Australia from Vietnam when Khai was very young. Their new life in Bankstown in southwest Sydney was shaped by the support of the local community.

‘We arrived with nothing, but what I remember most is the sense of belonging we found in the Vietnamese community,’ he says. ‘Even though we were far from home, we had each other.’

Growing up in Bankstown, Khai learned the Vietnamese language, heard stories of his family’s past and absorbed the cultural nuances and customs that were part of his daily life.

Khai’s first trip back to Vietnam at 19 would reshape his personal and professional trajectory. The waves of emotional connection he felt sparked a desire to connect Australia with Vietnam in a more meaningful way.

Khai’s cultural identity began to shift. He no longer saw himself as simply an Australian or a Vietnamese Australian. He was someone who understood and empathised with both cultures.

‘I realised that my dual identity was an advantage, and I had the opportunity to build something meaningful between Australia and Vietnam,’ Khai says.

‘It was more than just business. It was about building relationships, understanding the nuances of each culture, and finding ways to work together.’

Khai became deeply involved in the local community, working in youth development projects and volunteering with at-risk young people. He saw that their identity issues mirrored the struggles he had faced in his youth, an understanding that steeled him to take action.

Shaping the future of Australia-Vietnam relations

In 2015, Khai co-founded the Australia-Vietnam Leadership Dialogue (AVLD), a program designed to ‘empower visionary leaders and shape the future of Australia-Vietnam relations.’

The focus of the bilateral program was on shared opportunities for growth, and to foster collaboration on issues such as education, technology and trade.

The first AVLD event was launched in 2016 with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

‘We wanted to create something future-oriented, to show there’s more to Vietnam-Australia relations than just the past,’ Khai says. ‘We focused on what we could build together.’

Khai has passed the AVLD leadership torch to the next generation. Today he is a Founder and Director of HR Think Tank, which provides strategic consulting services and leadership training to organisations in Australia and Southeast Asia.

Khai Ngo (seated, third from right) co-founded the Australia-Vietnam Leadership Dialogue to empower visionary leaders and shape the future of Australia-Vietnam relations.

A bright future for Australia and Southeast Asia

Khai is optimistic about the potential for Australia to further its trade relationships with Southeast Asia, particularly with countries like Vietnam, which he believes hold tremendous promise.

In the 2023–24 period, two-way trade between Australia and Vietnam had grown to A$28.2 billion. Australia’s exports to Vietnam were valued at approximately US$6.88 billion (A$10.5 billion), while imports from Vietnam stood at about US$5.27 billion (A$8.1 billion).

Key Australian exports to Vietnam include coal, gold and agricultural products. Vietnam’s largest export sectors to Australia are textiles, electronics and machinery. Australia also has a strategic partnership with Vietnam, focusing on areas such as resources, education, and infrastructure development. (Source DFAT Trading Economics.)

‘Southeast Asia is our future – and Australia has an incredible advantage with our diaspora,’ Khai says. ‘The region is growing, and the opportunities are endless.’

Emma McDonald, Austrade’s Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner to Vietnam and Cambodia, agrees that it is an exciting time to engage with the Vietnam market.

‘Australia and Vietnam’s economies are highly complementary, and our supply chains are increasingly intertwined,’ she says.

The Australian Government is building on this momentum through Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2030.

‘Vietnam aims to become a high-income country by 2045 with annual growth targets of 6.5% to 7.5%,’ says Emma. ‘Austrade is at the centre of this energy, with our teams heavily engaged in opportunities for two-way trade and investment in sectors such as agrifood, education and technology.’

The importance of cultural understanding in trade

Khai is a firm believer that cultural understanding in trade isn’t just important, it’s essential.

‘It’s the difference between a one-time transaction and a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship built on trust,’ he says. ‘Trust comes from understanding and respecting the other person’s culture.

‘Whether you’re negotiating a contract or simply having a meal, taking the time to understand each other’s values is what sets the foundation for long-term success.’

Simple attempts at language or cultural gestures go a long way, Khai says.

‘It indicates respect and openness to learning, you get kudos for saying ‘cảm ơn.’ It shows effort.’

Khai advocates for increased emphasis on language learning in Australia’s education system.

‘Second and third languages should be a staple in our curriculum,’ Khai says.

‘It’s not just about communication, it’s about cultural empathy. We’re so lucky in Australia to have so many connections to Asia. We need to embrace that by making language and cultural learning a part of every child’s education.’

Be curious, humble and patient

Reflecting on his career, Khai believes his most important lessons have come from embracing curiosity, patience, and humility - values he applies to both his personal and professional life.

‘Humility is key. Going into a new country or culture with the mindset that you have something to learn rather than teach is essential,’ Khai explains.

‘Patience is equally important, especially in Southeast Asia, where building relationships takes time. You can’t rush it, and if you try to, you’ll lose trust.’

‘If Australia can leverage its cultural ties, language skills, and business acumen, there’s no limit to what we can achieve together.’

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