Our team

Viet Nam

Our team

The UNDP team in Viet Nam is a dynamic and diverse group of more than 120 professionals, representing multiple nationalities and including individuals with disabilities. With expertise spanning fields such as law, economic, public policy, medicine, management, and more, the team is united in its commitment to sustainable and inclusive development. Its multidisciplinary approach ensures innovative, inclusive, and impactful solutions for Viet Nam’s most pressing challenges.

Ramla Khalidi

Resident Representative

Khalidi has over 30 years of experience working in development and policy research at both the national and regional levels, including 25 years with UNDP and the UN Secretariat.

At the regional level, Ms. Khalidi has led the interdisciplinary and strategic planning efforts of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and managed the organization’s technical cooperation programmes and policy advisory services to the 18 Member States. She has also led the organization’s partnership with donors, UN agencies and civil society partners.

Ms. Khalidi’s policy work has focused on poverty reduction, inclusive social development, gender equality and good governance. She has also worked as a journalist, a researcher, and a programme manager in diverse country contexts.

Most recently, Ms. Khalidi was UNDP Resident Representative in Syria between 2019 and 2022, where she managed a $50 million programme focused on delivering early recovery and resilience support through the creation of livelihoods opportunities, the rehabilitation of critical social infrastructure, and the promotion of social cohesion.

Ms. Khalidi is a national of Jordan and holds a Master of Arts in Arab Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Tufts University. She is fluent in English and Arabic with a working knowledge of French.

Francesca Nardini

Deputy Resident Representative

Francesca Nardini has joined UNDP Viet Nam since 16 September 2025.

She is an accomplished international development leader with over 18 years of experience across the Arab States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America. Prior to her assignment in Viet Nam, Francesca served as Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP Algeria—and recently as Acting Resident Representative—where she led a USD 25 million annual portfolio, achieving 95% implementation of the Country Programme.

Her expertise spans strategic planning, resource mobilization, and operational excellence in politically sensitive and post-disaster contexts. In Algeria, she mobilized over USD 70 million through innovative financing models and high-level partnerships. Previously, she secured USD 150 million in donor commitments across 25 country offices in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Francesca has held key advisory roles at UNDP headquarters, contributed to national health strategies in Haiti, and led systemic innovation initiatives. She holds an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and is fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, and French.

Photograph of a person with a blurred face wearing a navy blazer and white shirt.

Federica Dispenza

Assistant Resident Representative, Head of Governance and Participation Unit

Federica Dispenza joined UNDP in Viet Nam in January 2026 as Assistant Resident Representative and Head of the Governance and Participation Team.

With more than 13 years of experience in international development, Federica brings deep expertise in development strategy, policy advisory, programme design and management, with a particular focus on inclusive governance, crisis resilience, and sustainable recovery. She has worked across diverse and complex contexts, including Ukraine, Georgia, Yemen, and Southern Africa, supporting governments and partners to advance development priorities in conflict, post-conflict, and rapidly changing environments.

Throughout her career, Federica has led multidisciplinary teams and managed large-scale programmes, operations, and partnerships, consistently delivering results in challenging settings. She is recognised for her collaborative leadership style, commitment to innovation, and ability to build strong partnerships that foster inclusive and sustainable development outcomes.

Federica holds advanced degrees from the London School of Economics and Università Bocconi. She is a graduate of the UNDP Nexus Academy and the UN System Staff College’s Women Leadership and the UN programme, and holds certification in Managing Successful Programmes (Axelos). Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, exploring different cultures through cooking, and maintaining balance through regular yoga practice.

Vu Thai Truong

Assistant Resident Representative, Head of Climate Change, Energy, and Environment Unit

Vu Thai Truong is a senior development leader with over 25 years of experience in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, and environmental governance in Viet Nam. He has worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), the Ministry of Finance (MOF), the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) and other government partners to develop and implement policies and programmes on climate change, forestry, biodiversity, low carbon emission, disaster risk reduction, circular economy and rural development.

He has good experience in partnering with major bilateral and multilateral donors, including ADB, WB, the European Union, GIZ, GEF, and GCF, as well as the Governments of Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

As Head of the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Unit at UNDP Viet Nam, Truong leads programme exceeding USD 100 million in active and pipeline investments, supporting Viet Nam’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and circular economy. His work spans climate adaptation, energy transition, biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, REDD+, circular economy, plastic pollution, and nature-based solutions.

He holds a Master’s degree in Agriculture and Forestry from the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.

Do Le Thu Ngoc

Assistant Resident Representative, Head of Inclusive Growth Unit

Tran My Hanh

Operations Manager