Convert the Currents: Vietnamese Australians and the Economy

Cost-of-living pressures and economic uncertainty are affecting everyone, but they don't land the same way for everyone. For Vietnamese Australian professionals, that might mean negotiating a salary, saving for a first home or supporting family. For those running a business, it might mean managing cashflow, pricing and growth in a tough climate.

Join the Vietnamese Australian Professional Network for our biggest event of the year, a flagship panel that looks at the economy through two lenses: as an individual and as a business owner. We'll start with the big picture from an economist, then hear practical, on-the-ground perspectives from our other panellists.

What we'll cover

The big picture: Where the economy is heading, including interest rates, inflation and the cost of living. What the current signals mean for jobs, wages and business confidence, and how to read the climate so you can plan ahead rather than react.

For employees: Negotiating salary in the current climate, building career security, future-proofing your skills, and practical tips for getting into the property market.

For start-ups and SMEs: Managing healthy cashflow in a high-interest-rate environment, and the habits that have helped small businesses survive and grow.

Meet the panellists

Dr Brian Tran, Senior Economist, KPMG
Brian connects data, policy and markets to deliver insights that matter. He leads macroeconomic research across the ASPAC region, with a focus on the Australian economy, and develops real-time indicators such as the Retail Health Index, Residential Property Forecasts and the Commercial Property Uncertainty Index. These help clients anticipate economic turning points and make informed decisions. Before joining KPMG in 2023, Brian worked in central banking and academia.

Luke Vu, Founder, Luke’s Banh Mi

Luke is the Founder and Executive Baker of Luke’s Banh Mi, a third-generation family bakery first established in 2022 and has since become one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing food brands. With seven locations across the state, Luke ensures that each and every one of them delivers quality food to people every day. Luke’s story is proof that success comes from a combination of dedication, resilience and risk-taking.

Yen Nguyen - CFO, MacDonald & Co

Yen is Chief Financial Officer of MacDonald&Co, a Melbourne-based commercial construction company, where she leads the finance, commercial and governance functions. Working at the point where financial performance meets contractual and commercial risk, she oversees cash flow, forecasting, compliance and dispute management in a sector exposed to cost pressures, payment risk and project delivery uncertainty.

+ More to be announced! 

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Event details

📅 Thursday 12 November 2026
🕕 5:00PM arrival for a 6:00PM start, with open networking at the start and close. Please arrive before 6:30PM as check-in will be unavailable from 6:30PM sharp.
📍 Level 1, 435 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
👥 Open to anyone interested in learning more about whats happening in the economy (all welcomed!)
🎟️ Early bird tickets: $30 (limited time only). Roaming canapes and beverage refreshments included.

Tickets are limited, so get in quick!

Come with your questions, meet others navigating the same pressures, and leave with something practical you can act on. Don't miss the biggest night on the VAPN calendar.

ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIOANL NETWORK (VAPN)

Founded in 2022, the Vietnamese Australian Professional Network (VAPN) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to uniting and uplifting Vietnamese Australian professionals.

VAPN bridges this gap by providing a dynamic platform for networking, collaboration, and career growth.

Through events, mentorship, and a supportive community, we empower members to thrive professionally and make a lasting impact.

For sponsorship opportunites or other queries please contact: vietausprofessionalsnetwork@gmail.com