The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 kicked off today in Hainan, with Vietnamese student Ngoc Ha Bui stealing the spotlight as a voice for Gen-Z collaboration. Born in a Chinese-border province of Vietnam, the Tsinghua University journalism student embodies the forum's theme of 'Shaping a Shared Future' through cross-cultural understanding.
From Border Town to Beijing
Ngoc Ha's journey – fueled by Chinese language scholarships and firsthand experience of cross-border exchanges – mirrors Asia's educational cooperation trends. 'We’re not just beneficiaries; we’re builders,' she declared during a panel discussion, highlighting youth’s role in digital-era diplomacy.
50 Events, One Mission
With nearly 50 side events running through March 27, this year’s forum emphasizes tech-driven collaboration. Ngoc Ha’s call for 'TikTok diplomacy' and youth-led cultural projects resonated with attendees, particularly as she announced plans to work in international communication post-graduation.
