A voice of exchange between Italy, Vietnam and Europe
With the support and expertise of our Founding Promoters, we aspire to become a catalyst for initiatives between Italy and Vietnam, serving as a point of reference for the stakeholders involved. Our Foundation is dedicated to pursuing cultural, health, scientific, artistic, sports and environmental goals, as well as being active in the field of economics.
We carry out studies, research and programs of special significance, and organize significant events that promote the improvement and development of cultural and scientific relations between Italy and Vietnam, including in cooperation with government agencies. In addition, our openness to collaboration with other national and international organizations, both governmental and private, enables us to better achieve our goals.
We are excited to build relationships with other foundations and associations interested in the Vietnamese, Italian and international worlds, joining forces to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between different realities.
Maily Anna Maria Nguyen
An expert in business internationalization and business development, she has gained relevant experience in SMART CITY and SMART COMMUNITY in recent years.
Since 2007 (for over 15 years) it has been supporting cooperation and promotion between Italy and Vietnam in close contact with their respective Embassies and Ambassadors.
Roberto Cajati
A graduate of La Sapienza University with a degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, he had an experience of more than 30 years as Head of the Study Office of the Italian Institute for Africa and the East (IsIAO), and later as an international policy analyst at the Analysis Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was Deputy Consul General at the Consulate General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City, for 5 years.
With great sadness, we announce that Roberto Cajati, a highly esteemed and beloved member of our team, has unfortunately left us. His memory lives on in all our hearts, and his contributions to our work will continue to inspire us every day.
We would like to remember him as the man of the 3 Ps: perseverance, patience, and persistence.
Francesco Maringiò
He was born in the province of Taranto in 1976 and later moved to Bologna (1998) where he still lives. Meanwhile, he also lived in Rome and Beijing. He has worked for several years for public institutions, national associations and private companies and is now a business consultant and publicist. He writes regularly on the topics of geopolitics and politics of asia. An essay by him on Vietnamese socialism is part of an official PCV publication.
Franco Venturi
Born in Bologna in 1946, over the course of his career he has gained extensive experience in the field of events through the establishment of companies specialized in structures and installations for theatre, sports, congresses and trade fairs
Board of Directors
Maily Anna Maria Nguyen
An expert in business internationalization and business development, she has gained significant experience in recent years in the fields of Smart Cities and Smart Communities. Since 2007 (for nearly 20 years), she has supported cooperation and promotion between Italy and Vietnam, working closely with the respective Embassies and Ambassadors, as well as with other institutions, universities, and the business community.
In recognition of her commitment, in February 2023, at the opening of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam, she was awarded the honor of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In December 2023, she was also awarded the Friendship Medal by decree signed by the President of Vietnam. The Friendship Medal is the highest honor granted to a foreign citizen for their valuable contribution to promoting relations between Italy and Vietnam, significantly supporting the country’s development.
She is the only Italian citizen of Vietnamese origin to have received both the Knighthood and the Friendship Medal of Vietnam.
Tomaso Andreatta
He attended UWC Atlantic College in the United Kingdom, the University of Bologna (graduating with honors in Pure Economics), and UCLA (MBA in Finance and Strategy). From 1985 to 1998, he worked on the structuring of derivative products and in debt capital markets with various investment banks, and later with financial institutions in M&A across Europe, Argentina, and Hong Kong. Since 2008, he has been Indochina Chief Representative of Intesa Sanpaolo (covering Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar). He was the founding President of ICHAM, the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam; Vice President of EuroCham; and Co-Chairman of the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF).
Francesco Maringiò
He was born in the province of Taranto in 1976 and later moved to Bologna in 1998, where he still lives today. He has also lived in Rome and Beijing. He worked for several years with public institutions, national associations, and private companies, and is now a business consultant and journalist. He regularly writes on topics related to geopolitics and Asian politics. One of his essays on Vietnamese socialism is included in an official publication of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Franco Venturi
Born in Bologna in 1946, he has gained extensive experience throughout his career in the events sector through the establishment of companies specialized in structures and setups for theatrical, sports, conference, and exhibition events.
Honorary Members
Lorenzo Angeloni
Ambassador Lorenzo Angeloni, with 39 years of diplomatic service, served as Head of Mission in Hanoi from November 2010 to March 2015, a particularly fruitful period for the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. During his mandate, among other initiatives, 74 activities of the Y-Viet program were promoted and implemented, aimed at highlighting areas of cooperation between the two countries; the opening of Casa Italia, located in the former residence and serving as a driving hub for Made in Italy; and the opening of the Italian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.
During that period, high-level visits took place, including the visit of the Italian Prime Minister to Hanoi and that of the Secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party to Rome, which laid the groundwork for subsequent developments.
In addition to Vietnam, he served as Italy’s Ambassador to Sudan (2003–2007) and India (2015–2019). He concluded his service with the position of Director General for the Promotion of the Country System, held from December 2019 to December 2023, reaching the highest rank of the diplomatic career, that of Ambassador.
Today, Amb. Angeloni lives in Bologna, where he teaches International Relations at the Alma Mater Studiorum, and is the holder of the course “Diplomatic Practice”.
He has authored several publications between 2001 and 2016, including essays of analysis and historical research on relations with Africa (And Now What Do We Do?), on Algeria (Algeria Seen from the Inside), on Sudan (Italians in Sudan: The Stories); a non-fiction novel (In Darfur); and novels (Behind My Scenes, 300 Years, The Quarantine).
At the conclusion of his career, he was awarded the honor of Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy.
Committees

Giuseppe Lupis
Graduated in Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, with a second-level Master’s degree in Digital Finance, he has worked in Risk Management, Compliance, and Data Analysis for leading financial institutions.
Today he is active in the tourism sector: he operates in Calabria, his native land, and abroad, coordinating trips and experiences aimed at enhancing local places and cultures.
Thanks to his extensive experience in the Arctic, he is now an Arctic guide and an expert in the Northern Lights, which he shares through guided journeys and photography, his constant companion during explorations.
Former member of the “Associazione Valeria Tonna Caritas ODV”, he is involved in volunteering and initiatives focused on social and cultural development.
Photography portfolio: https://jpepp.mypixieset.com/

José Maria Recca
José Maria Recca is a multifaceted entrepreneur with a background in business administration and over thirty years of experience in the coffee industry and import-export. He has held senior cross-functional roles in SMEs operating in the food sector and other industrial sectors, gaining expertise in strategy, organisation and international market development. He is active in associations and participates in governance and advisory bodies, contributing to initiatives promoting entrepreneurship and management.

Daniele Rossi
Past President of the Chamber of Commerce of Catanzaro and Confindustria.
Coffee hunter, tireless traveler, and a firm believer in the value of human relationships.

Giovanni Doanh Tran
Docente di Storia d'Arte e di Interior Design presso la Van Lang University in Ho Chi Minh City e la Yersin University di Dalat. Traduttore di alto livello per Visite di Stato tra l'Italia e il Vietnam Direttore dell'EuroAsia Travel operante in Vietnam, Laos e Cambogia.

Maria Ielli
Maria Ielli laureata in Canto Lirico, Musica Vocale da Camera e Storia contemporanea, insegnante di canto e concertista. Svolge una intensa attività di studio della Musica Contemporanea e di sperimentazione vocale. Attualmente membro del MAS Contemporary del Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana di Lugano.

Antonella Posta
Laureata in Teologia, Presidente Nazionale Prowine, Perito esperto in beni di antiquariato, Responsabile didattica Assosommelier, Master Enologo. Amante dell’arte e della promozione della cultura. Nella propria attività di docente trova un efficace veicolo oltre che pe la diffusione delle specifiche competenze enologiche anche e soprattutto per la tutela e la salvaguardia della lingua italiana.

Goffredo Vaccaro
Doctor of Medicine and Surgery.
A lover of culture, he has contributed to cultural, social, artistic, and humanitarian activities in the local community.
He nurtures a passion for music and plays the piano as well as the electronic organ as a hobby.

Ing. Vincenzo Sassanelli
Engineer Vincenzo Sassanelli is a professional with extensive experience in the fields of engineering, urban planning, international cooperation, and organized volunteering. For many years, he has been committed to promoting sustainable development, solidarity, and collaboration between institutions and communities.
Throughout his career, he has promoted cooperation, training, and community support projects, working across five continents and contributing to the dissemination of the values of peace, inclusion, and human development.

Agnieszka Kowalska
Expert in European projects in intercultural training, sustainable development, and health for over 20 years. Consultant in European Funds and Financing. Her current focus integrates traditional Asian wellness practices such as Yakuzen nutrition and Bojin therapy with organic skincare to promote women's holistic health and hormonal balance.

Luigi Gargiulo
Luigi Gargiulo è nato a Taranto, vive e lavora a Perugia come medico-odontoiatra esercitando la libera professione .
Ha collaborato con l’Università di Perugia , facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia corso di Laurea in Odontoiatria e protesi dentaria per circa 10 anni , svolge attività privata presso i propri studi odontoiatrici e con la sanità pubblica , INAIL ed ASL ,da oltre venti anni.
Si interessa di fotografia da oltre trenta anni, ed è stato tra i fondatori della “Società Fotografica Perugina” di cui è stato presidente per cinque anni.
Ha a suo attivo varie attività culturali e pubblicazioni : fotolibri , mostre fotografiche in Italia ed all’estero , collettive e personali, collaborando con il Ministero dei Beni Culturali ; la casa editrice UTET per un volume scientifico , con l’Automobile club Perugia pubblicando dieci anni di calendari commemorativi e fornito immagini per articoli di periodici locali e nazionali.

Sara Tintori
Laureata in Conservazione dei beni culturali, Presidente Associazione Trasimeno Eventi e di RTN web radio tv, Vice Presidente AVIS locale. Curatrice eventi e collezioni Museo di Arte povera e disco d’epoca in Emilia-Romagna. Esperta nel campo editoriale e collezionismo d’arte.

Dr. Nicola Cusmai
Food Technologist, PhD in Electromagnetism and Bioengineering.
Expert in the production chains of extra virgin olive oil, vegetable preserves, and dairy products.
CEO of Masseria Cusmai di Cusmai Nicola & C. sas – an Apulian company specializing in the production of traditional vegetable preserves and the bottling of extra virgin olive oil.

Claudio Dordi
Claudio Dordi è professore di Diritto Internazionale, specializzato in commercio internazionale, e già direttore del Dottorato in Diritto Internazionale ed Economia presso l’Università Bocconi. Attualmente guida il progetto UK-ASEAN Open Trade Pillar ed è stato responsabile di numerosi progetti per USAID e UE, tra cui il USAID Vietnam Digital Trade (2023–2025) e il USAID Trade Facilitation Program (2018–2023). Ha lavorato per oltre vent’anni su temi legati al commercio globale, collaborando con istituzioni internazionali come ITC, Banca Mondiale, APEC, UNCTAD e OMD. È stato visiting fellow alla Georgetown Law School e ha insegnato in varie università in Europa, Asia e Sud America. È autore di oltre 80 pubblicazioni sul diritto internazionale e del commercio.

Daniele Girardi
Daniele Girardi è Lecturer in Economics presso il Department of Political Economy del King's College London. Ha conseguito il dottorato in Economia presso l'Università di Siena nel 2016, ed è stato Assistant e poi Associate Professor presso University of Massachusetts Amherst. Le sue ricerche si concentrano su macroeconomia, economia politica e metodi econometrici, con pubblicazioni su riviste di prestigio internazionale. È inoltre Associate Editor di diverse riviste accademiche internazionali.

Andrea Dezi
Andrea Dezi, lavora come Ricercatore universitario presso la International School of Businness della Banking Academy del Vietnam ed é Dottorando di Ricerca in Business Management presso la Hanoi University of Science and Technology. È stato funzionario amministrativo con vari ruoli di responsabilità presso l’Università di Macerata per oltre venti anni, occupandosi di Internazionalizzazione, Assicurazione della Qualità, Gestione delle Risorse Umane oltre a ricoprire ruoli di vertice nel Senato Accademico e nel Consiglio di Amministrazione dell’ateneo maceratese. I principali temi di ricerca sono Imprenditorialità, internazionalizzazione della didattica e della ricerca, gestione delle risorse umane.

Stefano Perri
Stefano Perri, è professore onorario presso l’Università di Macerata. È stato professore di Storia del pensiero economico presso l’Università di Teramo e di Economia politica presso l’Università di Macerata. I principali temi di ricerca sono l’economia classica, Marx, Sraffa e la teoria del sovrappiù, gli economisti italiani a cavallo tra ‘800 e ‘900, la struttura della manifattura e la distribuzione del reddito nell’economia Italiana contemporanea.

Giuseppe Meo
Giuseppe Meo is an entrepreneur from Apulia, founder and president of SNIM, the Apulia Boat Show, a blue economy trade fair established in 2002 in Brindisi and now in its 22nd edition. As director of the Consorzio Nautico Puglia, he coordinates development and internationalization activities for member companies. In the field of training, he promotes the development of courses dedicated to maritime professions: to date, around 120 young people have found employment in the sector thanks to the collaboration launched with the ITS Academy at its Brindisi campus.

Gianfranco Lai
Consultant with 30 years of experience and owner of M&T Italia, he is an expert in internationalization and export management. He supports companies from market entry strategy to operational activities in foreign markets.
A lecturer for ICE – Italian Trade Agency through the Master CORCE program, and a partner of Chambers of Commerce and business associations, he is active in the Italy-Vietnam Foundation, where he promotes Made in Italy and facilitates bilateral economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Simone Tomassini
Certified Public Accountant and Statutory Auditor. Various experiences as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Perugia.
Over 30 years of experience in the Security and Special Systems sector. Currently CEO of 7 Security Group Srl (SAET UMBRIA), a leading company in the field of security and special systems, and Administrator at Fondazione Sodalizio di San Martino.
During my term as President of the Rotary Club Perugia Trasimeno, I contributed to the creation of cultural initiatives in Perugia as part of the celebrations marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam.

Hoang Hai Ha (Rosa)
Graduate in Business Administration with extensive experience in market development, brand promotion, investment consulting, and international trade between Vietnam and Italy across various sectors.
Current roles:
- Italian Wine Ambassador
- Sales Agent for several Italian companies in Vietnam
Languages: English, Italian, and German

Avv. Claudio Larussa
Avvocato cassazionista, titolare dello Studio Legale Larussa Lsl&Partners con sede a Roma. Specializzato in diritto civile (commerciale e societario) e diritto amministrativo.

Avv. Salvatore Larussa
L’Avv. Salvatore Larussa si laurea in Giurisprudenza presso l’Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Nel 2021 entra a far parte dello Studio Legale Larussa Lsl&partners dove si occupa di diritto civile e societario. nel 2022 ottiene l’abilitazione allo svolgimento dell’attività di mediatore civile e commerciale. Dopo essere diventato avvocato consegue dapprima il Master:” Modello 231: disciplina, casi e organismi di vigilanza” presso il Sole24ore business school e poi il master in gestione della crisi d’impresa e dell’ insolvenza ottenendo l’iscrizione all’elenco dei soggetti incaricati dall’autorità giudiziaria delle funzioni di gestione e di controllo nell’ambito degli strumenti di regolazione della crisi e dell’insolvenza.

Avv. Maria Giovanna Fusca
Esperta in diritto internazionale e relazioni istituzionali, con esperienza nella cooperazione culturale e giuridica tra Italia e Vietnam.

Nicola Canino
Libero professionista nel settore relazioni esterne aziendali e istituzionali. Consigliere SAS Firenze. Presidente associazione “Calabro Toscana”. Presidente associazione “Parla con noi”. Vicepresidente della “Accademia della Fiorentina”. Coordinatore per la regione Toscana della associazione “La tazzina della legalità”.

Francesco Dente
Amministratore Unico della ICS srl, società di Gestione Immobiliare, e Titolare della FAD Informatica, società che si occupa di Informatica e Marketing & Comunicazione.
Presidente della FAS Italia Onlus (Fundacion Alivio del Sufrimiento ONLUS) che in Honduras ha realizzato e porta avanti più di trenta opere umanitarie. Rotariano dal 2003 si occupa di progetti umanitari sia sul territorio che nei paesi oltreoceano.
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FOUNDATION
ITALY-VIETNAM ETS
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Palazzo Salina Via Barberia,13 40123 Bologna - Italia
Codice fiscale: 91458200374