Ambassador Knapper arrived in Vietnam on January 27, 2022 and presented his credentials on February 11, 2022. During his term, the US and Vietnam upgraded bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023, an unprecedented double upgrade, bringing bilateral relations to the highest level in Vietnam's decentralized foreign relations system.
Ambassador Knapper has promoted cooperation in all key areas of bilateral relations, bringing benefits to both countries.
These areas include strongly expanding cooperation in trade, investment and high-tech infrastructure; significantly strengthening defense, law enforcement and security relations; expanding cooperation in the fields of health, education, people-to-people exchanges and disaster relief.
The US and Vietnam also continue to make efforts to resolve war issues left behind, including dealing with dioxin pollution, clearing unexploded bombs and mines, supporting people with disabilities, and searching for missing US and Vietnamese soldiers.
Ambassador Knapper's term also witnessed many events and activities taking place across Vietnam in 2025 to celebrate the development and future direction of US-Vietnam relations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations.
During his term, the US started construction of the new US Embassy complex in Cau Giay, Hanoi, a symbol of the increasingly developing relationship and the bright future of US-Vietnam relations.
Ambassador Knapper shared: "Being able to contribute to the development and progress of bilateral relations, from my first term in Hanoi in the period 2004-2007 to today as US Ambassador to Vietnam - this is an honor in my life.
I have had the opportunity to go to many places across Vietnam and meet not only government officials but also students, doctors, farmers, entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, and I am always impressed with the culture and dynamic vitality of Vietnam.
I am extremely proud of the achievements that the US Diplomatic Mission has made in developing and strengthening US-Vietnam relations during my time working here, and this country will always be a very special place for me and my family.
Ambassador Knapper is a senior diplomatic official of the US State Department and has more than 30 years of experience in diplomacy. He worked in Vietnam as a Political Counselor of the US Embassy from 2004-2007.
He has received the State Secretary's Outstanding Service Award - the most prestigious diplomatic title of the United States, along with the President's Outstanding Service Award and the State Department's Language Scholar of the Year award.
Ambassador Knapper graduated with honors from Princeton University and studied at the University of Tokyo. He is fluent in Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese.
