Diplomacy
3 interpreters · 150 attendees · first State Dept engagement
When the U.S. Department of State needed Vietnamese simultaneous interpreting for President Vo Van Thuong’s business roundtable during APEC 2023 in San Francisco, they called Bilingva. It was our first engagement with the State Department — arranged on about two weeks’ notice — and the standard we set that day has defined our diplomatic-level work in the Bay Area ever since.
A first call from the State Department
The State Department reached out roughly two weeks ahead, saying they had received strong references and needed a partner for a high-profile roundtable connecting Vietnamese and U.S. businesses during APEC Economic Leaders’ Week. Bilingva was vetted in advance, and every member of our on-site team underwent additional security clearance at the venue — including a physical inspection of every piece of equipment we brought in.
Turnkey simultaneous interpreting for 150
Bilingva delivered the entire interpreting solution end to end: three professional Vietnamese interpreters in a soundproof booth, wireless receivers and headsets for all 150 attendees, and 100% Bilingva-owned equipment — booth, transmitters, and receivers. We installed the day before, and struck and moved out immediately after. The room brought together Vietnamese and U.S. dignitaries — including former U.S. Ambassador Michael McFaul — the Vietnamese business community, and Vietnamese television and print press.
The hard parts
An exacting principal. President Thuong was known for precision on terminology and diplomatic protocol, so Bilingva flew in interpreters with prior state-level experience — each vetted for diplomatic protocol, high-stakes settings, and composure under pressure.
A venue that fought back. The event was held in one of San Francisco’s older hotels, with a loading dock and freight elevator too small for our booth. The team unpacked it at the dock, carried it panel by panel into the elevator and up to the floor, and reassembled it in the room — then reversed the entire process for the strike.
Head-of-state security. At this level, the visiting delegation’s security detail inspects the principal’s listening device and often prefers to hand the president their own headset — leaving only minutes before start to confirm a clean, silent signal on his channel. Everything after is where the planning shows: pre-tuned channels, extra staff for smooth handout and collection, and discreet on-hand assistance for anyone who needs it.
The outcome
The roundtable ran without a hitch and drew extensive press coverage. The very next day, Bilingva delivered interpreting for a historic summit at Stanford between the President of the Republic of Korea and the Prime Minister of Japan, moderated by Dr. Condoleezza Rice. In the years since, Bilingva has become a trusted name for diplomatic-level interpreting in San Francisco — including for the Mayor’s office and visiting Vietnamese delegations.
About the event
President Vo Van Thuong’s roundtable focused on deepening Vietnam–U.S. investment ties across high technology, semiconductors, and the green and digital economy. Read the original coverage in The World and Vietnam Report →
Planning a high-stakes event? Bilingva provides turnkey conference interpreting — vetted interpreters, owned equipment, and on-site technicians. Serving government since 2005. WOSB-certified and SAM.gov registered.