The U.S. Embassy in Vietnam announced that McNamara and her family arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday as she "looks forward to working with our Vietnamese partners to advance U.S. priorities, strengthen the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and expand opportunities for greater prosperity, security, and cooperation between our two countries."
Jennifer Wicks McNamara, the first female U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam. Photo from the Facebook page of the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi
She was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and was confirmed by the Senate on May 18, before taking the oath of office in Washington, D.C. on June 15.
Under U.S. procedures, after Senate confirmation, an ambassador travels to the host country and presents credentials to the head of state, formally beginning the diplomatic assignment.
According to a Certificate of Competency for Nominees to be Chiefs of Mission released by the U.S. Department of State on Oct. 29, 2025, McNamara is a career public servant with nearly 31 years of experience in the U.S. government.
