Cameron Thomas-Shah: An American with a deep connection to Vietnam

THE HANOI TIMES — For Cameron Thomas-Shah, Vietnam has never been just another diplomatic posting but a place of deep affection where his professional journey, family roots and personal identity have intertwined.

After three years as the spokesperson of the US Embassy in Hanoi, Thomas-Shah departed Vietnam carrying memories of its people, landscapes and cuisine.

He leaves with a conviction that the friendship between the United States and Vietnam will continue to flourish, rooted in shared interests, understanding and human connection.

“I’ve watched the relationship between our countries grow stronger and more confident. It’s a partnership built on shared dreams,” he said.

Thomas-Shah’s bond with Vietnam began long before he entered the diplomatic service. His stepmother, a native of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), introduced Vietnamese culture into the family. His two sisters share her heritage, creating a home environment infused with Vietnamese language, stories and traditions.

“Knowing that my sisters’ mother came from here, and then having them visit me in Hanoi this summer had been a long time dream,” he shared.

In 2010, at age 21, Thomas-Shah first set foot in Ho Chi Minh City as part of the Semester at Sea program. The visit left a lasting impression as he ventured from Cu Chi to Ben Tre over five days.

He spent two nights in a small village in Ben Tre, fished in the canals, cooked rice cakes over open fires and flew kites with village children.

“The smiles, the kindness, the warmth – I felt a connection with this country. It was the first time since leaving the United States on that 100-day study abroad program that I’d felt such happiness and gratitude.”

Two years later, he returned as an intern at the US Embassy in Hanoi. Then he explored Ha Long Bay, visited Sa Pa and taught public speaking and soft skills at the American Center.

“My goal that summer was to bring our countries closer together by sharing with students my expertise on successful résumé writing, confident public speaking and helping them to prepare for job interviews. Many of those students are now successful in their careers. It makes me proud.”

That summer also marked his first exposure to high-level diplomacy. He helped organize high-level visits of the US Secretary of State to the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, observing firsthand the growing ties between the two nations.

Thomas-Shah’s first formal diplomatic posting brought him to Ho Chi Minh City as a visa officer. He issued visas, issuing visas to many Vietnamese students who later returned home to contribute to Vietnam’s development and help strengthen bilateral relations.

“Watching the students that I sent to study in the United States return to contribute to Vietnam’s growth has been incredibly rewarding.”

Even then, he immersed himself in local life by traveling across Vietnam to explore “Hem Gems”, small food stalls or eateries tucked away in the alleyways, to experience the country’s diverse cuisine. From eating fresh rambutan at the southern city of Cantho’s floating market and sampling hen xuc banh trang (stir-fried baby clams with sesame rice crackers) in Ho Chi Minh City, to enjoying mi Quang (Vietnamese noodle dish originates from the central province of Quang Nam in the central city of Danang, bun cha (famous Vietnamese dish of grilled pork served with white rice noodles and dipping sauce) in Hanoi, and banh da ca (fish noodles) in the northern port city of Haiphong. These early experiences laid the foundation for a human-centered approach to diplomacy.

For Thomas-Shah, diplomacy begins with people. He believes that understanding Vietnam requires hearing its stories and sharing its daily life. He wandered through museums, temples and ethnic heritage sites, played basketball at Quan Ngua Sports Complex and shared meals around Hanoi’s iconic West Lake.

“My approach has always been to experience life here fully, from trying new foods to learning people’s stories. That’s how I understand a country.”

His curiosity transformed into a connection. From the bustling alleys of Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi’s tree-lined lakes, he found beauty in daily life and friendship in every encounter.

Acts of kindness from strangers, laughter shared with American Center visitors and warmth from students all contributed to a profound appreciation of Vietnam’s culture.

“Vietnamese people have a unique mix of resilience and generosity. That’s what makes this country unforgettable.”

Thomas-Shah also made Hanoi his home. Living in Truc Bach, he loved the quiet streets and lakeside cafes.

“Since college, I’ve never lived anywhere for three years straight. Hanoi has been my longest stay. For these three years, it’s been my home.”

He became passionate about the city’s culinary scene and admired chefs who preserved the essence of Vietnamese cuisine while innovating with creativity. “Beyond the plastic stool, people like Chef Sam Tran at Gia Restaurant and Chef Quang Dung at Chapter Dining show how dynamic Vietnamese food can be.”

Traveling across Vietnam from the southernmost province of Ca Mau to the northern mountain province of Lao Cai, he has embraced the country’s geographic and cultural diversity. In the northern province of Ninh Binh, he cycled from Tam Coc to Hoa Lu with local reporters. “It was amazing. We rode our bikes in awe of the landscapes, hearing stories about ancient Vietnamese history and observing economic development happening in real time.”

His memories are filled with human warmth. Friends invited him to celebrate the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday with their families, students he once taught who are now professionals and other countless encounters that deepened his appreciation for Vietnam.

“I have invited many friends from back home to visit me in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to experience Vietnam. I’ve introduced them to new foods like snails and mangosteen, while explaining to them how our two nations have grown closer over the past few decades. They left truly able to understand how special Vietnam is.”

Thomas-Shah returned to Hanoi in 2022 as the US Embassy spokesperson, carrying over a decade of professional experience.

Working under Ambassador Marc Knapper, he focused on strengthening public understanding of the US–Vietnam partnership, emphasizing education, war legacy cooperation and cultural exchange.

“We wanted to make sure young people understood what the United States and Vietnam were about. We focused on digital diplomacy through Facebook and Instagram to reach a broader audience.”

During his tenure, the embassy’s communications became more dynamic and inclusive. Activities such as ambassadorial visits and local interactions showcased a modern and approachable image of American diplomacy.

His team celebrated milestones like the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership and the historic upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023 and the 30th anniversary of US - Vietnam relations.

“It was beyond what we expected. We were aiming for a strategic partnership, and we achieved a double upgrade thanks to the great work of our ambassador, government and Vietnamese counterparts.”

Thomas-Shah believes that storytelling is essential to diplomacy. “Effective communication is about transparency and trust. When people understand what we do and why, they can see that our relationship is built on sincerity.”

Under his direction, embassy social media channels became some of the most followed in the region, highlighting joint initiatives from educational initiatives to cultural exchanges.

People-to-people ties remain at the heart of US - Vietnam relations. He emphasizes that with over 2.5 million Vietnamese Americans in the United States, human connections between the two countries are immense.

“Those communities are bridges. Our ambassador meets them when he visits the United States, our trade and economic colleagues support those links every day, and together we build trust and promote prosperity.”

Thomas-Shah belongs to a generation of diplomats shaped not by war but by friendship. “My ambassador’s father served in Vietnam. But my experience is not through war. It’s through being here as a student, meeting people and learning about the country and returning to serve as a member of the US Embassy team because of what I know our two countries can be.”

He sees the same forward-looking spirit in Vietnamese youth. “Most young people today didn’t grow up with the war. They honor it, but they think about the future, and so do I.”

He encourages young Vietnamese to explore more about American culture through visits to the American Center and apply to programs such as YSEALI and Fulbright. “I want young people to learn that Americans are not just actors or singers. We’re also talented athletes and scholars.”

The inspiring Vietnamese Americans like NBA player Jaylin Williams and soccer star Jaedyn Shaw, are both of mixed Vietnamese and African-American heritage. “They reflect the richness of our shared story.”

During his time as spokesperson, Thomas-Shah became one of the most visible faces of the US mission in Vietnam, bridging cultures through open dialogue and storytelling.

His work reflected a broader vision shared by both governments, its a relationship built on mutual trust, respect and shared prosperity.

“Since my first arrival more than a decade ago, I’ve watched this relationship grow. We honor the past, especially the war legacy, but we’re also building a future of cooperation.”

He credits Ambassador Knapper for emphasizing outreach and human connection. “We both believe that meeting people matters. The ambassador travels to provinces, tries local food and meets communities. That’s real diplomacy.”

Thomas-Shah applied the same approach, whether playing pickleball with students, explaining policy issues to the press, or attending cultural events.

The elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023 marked a historic milestone in bilateral relations. “The partnership is not only about governments but also about people – the educators, entrepreneurs, artists and young leaders who keep it alive.”

He praises Vietnam’s openness to collaboration in technology, innovation and education. “Vietnam is shaping its own narrative as a modern, confident and forward-looking country. That’s what makes working here so inspiring.”

For all things connected to this land, he hopes to return to Vietnam. “For now, I am returning home to the United States in service to my country, but Vietnam will always have a special place in my heart.”

He recalls daily life, with the aroma of coffee and pho from “Pho The Beo” in Truc Bach, Hanoi, the sound of street vendors at dawn, and conversations with neighbors that turned into friendships. “Living here has been an incredibly enriching experience. It reminds me that diplomacy begins with people.”

He also emphasizes the importance of all he has learned from his Vietnamese colleagues at the embassy, describing them as the “heart and soul” of the mission. “Their professionalism and kindness embody what our partnership stands for.”

From a host family in the southern province of Ben Tre to the diplomatic corridors of Hanoi, Thomas-Shah’s journey illustrates the enduring power of human connection. His experiences highlight the importance of empathy, cultural understanding and growth.

“I have been so fortunate to work in Vietnam to help cultivate stronger ties between Washington and Hanoi, especially for the safety and prosperity of our peoples. I know I’ll come back, the future between our countries is bright,” Thomas-Shah said, expressing optimism.