AmCham Vietnam Weekly Update -
45th Week of 2020 - November 6th, 2020
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Executive Director Update |
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Colleagues, this has been a tumultuous nerve-wracking week as votes in the United States were counted for several battle-ground states with razor-sharp margins. On November 7, the election was called with 279 (or possibly 290) electoral votes for former Vice President Joe Biden, over the 270 required, with 214 for President Donald Trump.
President-elect Biden, in his remarks on our Sunday morning, called for unity, and said “This is the time to heal in America.” He promised to work as hard for those who didn’t vote for him as those who did. Vice-President Elect and Senator Kamala Harris, as the first female, Black, and Asian vice-president-elect, recognized breaking a glass ceiling, stating, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.”
As of now, President Trump has not conceded and the Trump campaign has vowed to challenge Democratic votes in swing states.
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To find out more about the impact of the U.S. elections and the upcoming 13 th National Congress on Vietnam, join our November 10th U.S.-Vietnam Policy Outlook at the Reverie, where you can get expert insights to guide your business – and life – plans.
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On a totally different topic, please plan to join our November 24th “Giving Thanks” Dinner – a Evening to Celebrate Excellence in Community Impact! with AmCham colleagues and friends and U.S. and Vietnamese government leaders to give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy in Vietnam with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. It is also a great opportunity to highlight your company’s 2020 contributions through innovative and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility programs and Environment, Social, and Governance initiatives through AmCham or directly.
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Message from AmCham Vietnam-Da Nang Vice Chair Chris Vanloon (late on Friday).
Greetings from Da Nang and I hope you all stayed dry this past week. Thanks to Scott Reynolds from Dirty Fingers who opened early to help host our Election Day Watch Party on Wednesday. While there still is no clear winner it was nice to see such a great turnout and we all enjoyed meeting new people and the food and drinks were great! Two important dates coming up:
US Consular Outreach Visit to Da Nang
November 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (You do not need to make an appointment.)
Hilton Da Nang Business Center
50 Bach Dang, Hai Chau 1, Hai Chau, Da Nang
Passport/Notarial fee payments: Cash only in VND or USD
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Regarding the initiation of Section 301 investigations by the U.S. Trade Representative two significant issues: 1) Vietnam's acts, policies, and practices related to the import and use of timber that is illegally harvested or traded; and 2) Vietnam's acts, policies, and practices that may contribute to undervaluation of its currency and resultant harm to U.S. commerce, with comments (if any) due by November 12, AmCham is filing comments, in coordination with our Hanoi chapter, AmCham Hanoi. The currency allegations were also discussed at the November 2 Capital Markets and Financial Services Committee meeting.
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Recent Events
We kicked off the week with the November 2 AmCham Capital Markets and Financial Services Committee Meeting where the USTR Section 301 investigation of alleged currency manipulation was discussed. We also welcomed representatives from the Asian Development Bank who provided an overview of the ADB’s operations and its core activities in Vietnam.
We also conducted a Board of Governors’ meeting on Thursday November 5, and a Healthcare Committee Leadership meeting on the same day in preparation for a likely early December Healthcare Door-knock event in Hanoi. Stay tuned for more information!
This week, all eyes around the world were on the U.S. Presidential Election. AmCham hosted election watch parties at the Hard Rock Café in HCMC and Dirty Fingers in Da with bipartisan viewing of U.S. election results and great turnout of AmCham members and friends, albeit with some biting nails and a few buying morning cocktails to steel their nerves…
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COVID Update
Here in Vietnam, we have enjoyed 64 consecutive days without community infections. To ensure that continues, the Vietnamese government continues a vigilant approach, with nearly 15,200 people now being quarantined.
Meanwhile in the United States, there were new record highs, with 126,000 new cases on Friday and daily deaths over 1000 four days in a row. President-elect Biden made clear he will make the COVID pandemic response a top priority.
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Mary Tarnowka, Executive Director
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4:30pm-7:30pm, The Reverie Saigon, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
One week after the U.S. Presidential elections and two months before Vietnam’s 13th Party Congress, join this event at The Reverie Saigon to inform your 2021 and beyond business plans. Learn from a panel of experts what to expect in terms of the players and policy outlook in the United States and Vietnam.
Follow-on cocktail networking session.
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Thursday, November 12
Vietnam Business Summit 2020: "Digitised Vietnam: Toward Resilient Responsive and Sustainable Development.”
7:30am - 13:30pm, Hanoi, Vietnam
The 2020 Vietnam Business Summit (2020 VBS), organized by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), will discuss key topics such as logistics, agriculture and overarching investment challenges in the context of Covid-19. 2020 VBS, with the assembly of business and government will be an excellent learning and networking opportunity. The tentative agenda is here. SAVE THE DATE! And be quick to register via this link.
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6:30pm-8:30pm, Boudoir Lounge, Sofitel Saigon Plaza, 17 Le Duan Blvd., Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
Join us on Tuesday, November 17 for our Meet-the-Candidates Night leading up to the 2020 AmCham Vietnam HCMC Board of Governors Election. Candidates for the Board of Governors will be present to share their visions for AmCham Vietnam HCMC.
Candidates’ bios and their vision statements for AmCham Vietnam HCMC will be available on AmCham Website soon. Online voting will be set to begin after the event on the evening of November 15. Ernst & Young will perform procedures over the results of the election and the elected Governors will be announced at our Annual General Meeting on December 15, 2020.
Don’t miss out on your chance to personally meet with the candidates on November 17th!
This special event is open to AmCham Vietnam-HCMC & Da Nang members only. Advanced registration is requested.
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Wednesday, November 18
Vietnam - U.S. Trade Forum
8:00am - 12:00am, Rex Saigon Hotel,
141 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist.1
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Vietnam – U.S. diplomatic relations, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, in collaboration with the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham Vietnam), is hosting the Vietnam – U.S. Trade Forum themed “25 Years of Economic and Trade Relations and the Journey Ahead” on 18 November, 2020 at Rex Saigon Hotel. The tentative agenda is here.
SAVE THE DATE! And be quick to register for this Forum via this link.
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4:00-8:00pm, InterContinental Saigon Corner Hai Ba Trung St. and Le Duan Blvd., District 1
Event Level Rating: II
Join AmCham at 500 Startups Vietnam Demo Day 2020.
As the most active venture capital firm in Vietnam, 500 Startups is investing in talented tech entrepreneurs who are transforming the economy. The fund’s most recent initiative to back these entrepreneurs is the Saola accelerator program, a 12-week program turbocharging startups with funding and mentorship from seasoned international experts.
Demo Day 2020 is an invite-only event for investors and other stakeholders to get a first look at select rising stars from our Saola accelerator Batch 2 & 3 and the broader portfolio. These teams are pioneering innovation in retail & consumer tech as well as enterprise digital transformation in more than 10 markets across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
At the event, you will also have the chance to network with top-tier investors, corporate executives, and other key startup ecosystem stakeholders in Vietnam and the region.
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6:00pm-9:00pm, The Reverie Saigon, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
Please join us to give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy here in Vietnam, and celebrate the positive impact that AmCham Vietnam members have made to community and sustainable development in Vietnam.
Enjoy a delicious traditional Thanksgiving dinner with fellow AmCham Vietnam members and friends, and representatives of the U.S. and Vietnamese government at the elegant Reverie Hotel. Spouses and significant others are welcome, too!
Thanksgiving is an annual holiday that Americans celebrate with family and friends on the fourth Thursday in November (this year November 26) to give thanks for the harvest and good fortune we have enjoyed throughout the year. AmCham Vietnam is holding the first of what we hope will become an annual event, where we will celebrate with our fellow AmCham members and friends, express gratitude for our blessings, and recognize the important contributions many of our members have made through innovative and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs and Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives.
This year, we are especially grateful for the Vietnamese government’s impressive management of the COVID outbreak, which has enabled our businesses to continue operations and kept our team members and families safe and healthy. We will have a special category to recognize members who have contributed to the COVID response, either through AmCham or directly.
More details coming soon!
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8:0pam-10:30am, Park Hyatt Saigon, 2 Lam Son Square, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
Running a business is often likened to playing a game. However, when the game requires one to put money and reputation on the line, the need for self-preservation intensifies. Hence, it is to no one’s surprise that business partners often find themselves in a clash of interests. Once their differences escalate to unsolvable levels, they might seek the measure of last resort: legal action.
Such is the general definition of a commercial dispute. From breach of contract to reputation management, a commercial dispute stems from conflicts in trade and commerce. As expected of any legal action, commercial disputes can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. More importantly, they can have injuring effects on one’s reputation.
To help you understand their legal implication, LeTran would like to announce our two-part lecture series on Commercial Disputes. In Part One, we are presenting and analysing three celebrity cases in recent years with very distinctive circumstances, variables, and outcomes. From transportation to construction, we are examining the law’s application on various industries.
To convey the technical details in their most digestible form, we are pulling apart the important elements of each case. In doing so, we invite everyone, with or without a background in law, to apply their newfound knowledge to their own situation. No one enjoys an arduous legal battle; join us to demystify the legislature and protect yourself against potential losses.
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6:00am-2:30pm, Vietnam Golf & Country Club, Long Thanh My Ward, Dist. 9
Event Level Rating: II
This fun day of golf is open to all AmCham Members and their guests! You can sign-up individually or with other members or friends and even make your own foursome. Non-Members are welcome to join as long as they are playing with at least one AmCham Member.
This Thanksgiving Day golf event will kick off at Vietnam Golf & Country Club with an 7:00am Shotgun. There are lots of prizes for all to win, a commemorative golf cap for each participant. Cold beverages from Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Budweiser beer will be served throughout the day and our awards ceremony will feature a bountiful Roast Turkey spread for everyone to enjoy after a fun day out on the course!!
Don’t miss out on this Annual golfing event and sign up today!!!
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6:00-9:00pm, Sheraton Grand Da Nang Resort, Terrace of the Grill, 35 Truong Sa, Hoa Hai Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang
Event Level Rating: II
Please join us to enjoy a delicious traditional Thanksgiving dinner with fellow AmCham Vietnam members and friends, at the elegant Sheraton Grand Da Nang Resort. Spouses and significant others are welcome, too!
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6:00-8:30pm, Hard Rock Cafe, 39 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
AmCham Connect & Cocktails, a monthly informal networking event, provides an opportunity to meet AmCham members, friends, and other professionals in an informal after-work setting over a glass of beer, wine, or a cocktail.
For our Connect & Cocktails event on December 1, we will invite a select group of nongovernmental charitable organizations among our membership and local network to introduce their work to us in the spirit of Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday is an annual day of giving celebrated in the United States after Thanksgiving and Black Friday to inspire generosity to kick off the holiday season. It has become a “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world”. https://www.givingtuesday.org/
Join us for our Giving Tuesday-themed Connect & Cocktails and learn more about some of our NGO members and friends.
People of all ages are welcome to attend. There’s no age limit; you just need to be young at heart! Come and join us for a night of networking and bring your business cards!
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6:00pm, InterContinental Saigon, Corner of Hai Ba Trung St. and Le Duan Blvd, Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
The AmCham Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City Board of Governors and the Governors’ Ball Organizing Committee are delighted to announce our 25th Annual Governors’ Ball, to be held on December 12, 2020, beginning at 6.00 pm at the InterContinental Saigon. This year’s OLD HOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS – themed ball provides a glamorous and elegant setting to celebrate the holiday season.
The Governors’ Ball brings together over 400 members of the AmCham Vietnam business community and Vietnamese and international business representative friends. The Ball is a unique opportunity for you to access and promote your company to a large and influential audience, in a festive and fun setting, while contributing to a worthy charitable cause. We hope that you will join the event and become a sponsor for this special evening.
Proceeds from the 2020 Governors’ Ball will support AmCham’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, the AmCham Scholarship Program.
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10:00am-12:30pm, InterContinental Saigon, Corner of Hai Ba Trung St. and Le Duan Blvd, Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
The 8th annual AmCham Breakfast with Santa will be held this year on December 13th, from 10 AM to 12:30 PM, once again at the InterContinental Saigon Ballroom.
As usual, there will be a delicious breakfast (brunch) to be served with visits from Santa Claus and Elves. Every child is welcome to sit on Santa’s lap and take photos. Children will enjoy holiday disco along with games at Kid corners and leave with a gift bag. More importantly, this is also a special charity event in which a portion of every adult ticket sold for this holiday family occasion will help fund the cost of a child from the Loreto Foundation to attend the Breakfast.
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6:00pm-8:30pm, New World Hotel Saigon, 76 Le Lai St., Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
Please mark your calendars to join AmCham’s most important organizational meeting of the year. As members… YOU are the key stakeholders… AmCham is YOUR business organization. Therefore, AmCham leaders will update you on 2020 strategic results, key developments, and announce the election results for the 2021 Board of Governors. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions and make recommendations.
Immediately after the organizational meeting, will be a networking cocktail reception. This reception is free of charge for members and their spouses/partners. It will include free flow wine, beer, soft drinks, and hearty hors d’oeuvres hosted by AmCham Vietnam in HCMC and our generous sponsors.
We look forward to your participation as we continue to grow our Chamber to be the key and premier leader for developing the U.S. and Vietnam’s trade and investment relationship.
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As cross-border transactions are becoming increasingly common, businesses and individuals are turning to electronic signatures to save time and costs. Instead of waiting for documents to be transported by courier around the globe, the relevant parties can finalise and execute their contract in a matter of seconds. Nevertheless, there are still reservations about their security, effectiveness, and legitimacy. This article aims to demystify electronic signatures under the lens of the law and the technology that make possible and easy e-commerce, contributing to the rise of globalisation in the 21st century.
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The gala of Vietnam HR Awards 2020 featuring 10+ caliber C-suite speakers from top companies such as VinaCapital, Amazon, Schneider Electric, Mondelez Kinh Do, First Solar, GIBC, etc., will bring insightful perspectives to help businesses be ready for the world after Covid-19.
Vietnam HR Awards Gala 2020 will take place on November 25, 2020, at GEM Center, with the key spirit of “3R - Rest, Reset & Rewarded”, promising to bring a completely different experience for attendees.
The event fee to attend the Vietnam HR Awards 2020 Gala is VND 6,000,000/ guest for group buying from 3 up (discount 25% on standard fee VND 8,000,000). Registration deadline: November 20, 2020.
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Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only) |
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9:00-10:30 am, AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
Agenda:
- Introductions / Housekeeping
- Approval of September Meeting Minutes
- Speaker: Giles Cooper (Duane Morris) (tentative)
◦ Topic - Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPA) (tentative - pending external approval)
◦ VBF Annual Meeting - Power and Energy Working Group Policy Position release (Dennis)
◦ Policy & Regulatory Update (Linh)
◦ 2020 Indo-Pacific Business Forum review (Mary Tarnowka, AmCham Executive Director)
- Notable Upcoming Events (Mary Tarnowka)
- Meeting Adjourned
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3:00-4:00 pm, AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
Agenda:
- Welcome and introduction
- Updating from industry by Chris Vanloon, Vice Chair and Craig Meadows, DDP Projects
- Sharing about Innovation in Tourism from event on Oct 26, 2020 by Mary Tarnowka, AmCham Executive Director and Craig Meadows
- Updating from Central area of Vietnam by Chris Vanloon
- Updating for forthcoming events by AmCham Executive Director
- Meeting ends
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9:00-10:30 am, AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
Agenda:
- Welcome & Introduction from all attendees
- Update from industry (from participants)
- K-12
- Higher Education
- Online learning
- Other
- Planning for event in Q1/2021
- Upcoming events
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3:00-4:30 pm, AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
Agenda:
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Welcoming New Members; Discussion on Attracting New Members (Ly Le, ESG Committee Chairwoman, Legal and Public Affairs & Communications Director, Coca-Cola Indochina andGregory Testerman, ESG Committee Co-Chair, CEO, Testerman Advisory, LLC)
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Nomination and Selection of the ESG Committee’s Leadership Team (Ly Le, ESG Committee Chairwoman, Legal and Public Affairs & Communications Director, Coca-Cola Indochina andGregory Testerman, ESG Committee Co-Chair, CEO, Testerman Advisory, LLC)
- Review of the First Draft of the ESG Committee Charter (Gregory Testerman, ESG Committee Co-Chair, CEO, Testerman Advisory, LLC)
- Feedback from Committee Members on the ESG Committee Event Held on 15 October 2020
- Review of the Results from the ESG Committee’s October 2020 Survey (Mark Watson, ESG Committee Vice Chair, Country Manager – ERM Vietnam)
- Status of the Giving Thanks Dinner, scheduled for Tuesday 24 November 2020 (Ly Le, ESG Committee Chairwoman, Legal and Public Affairs & Communications Director, Coca-Cola Indochina)
- Initial Planning for the ESG Committee’s 2021 Operational Plan: Objectives and Events
- Updating from AmCham Vietnam – HCMC & Da Nang
- Next Meeting of the Committee
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9:00-10:30 am, U.S. Consulate General HCMC, Diamond Plaza, 4 Le Duan Blvd., Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
Agenda:
- Welcome remarks by Mary Tarnowka, Executive Director of AmCham Vietnam – HCMC & Da Nang and Luan Nguyen, Agriculture Committee Chair, Country President of Cargill
- Agriculture updates from USDA by Megan Francic, Agricultural Attaché, U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City and Robert Hanson, Agricultural Counselor, U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam
- Industry issue updates by:
- Luan Nguyen, Agriculture Committee Chair, Country President of Cargill,
- Benjamin Sattelmaier, General Director, Archer Daniels Midland Vietnam Co. Ltd. (ADM Vietnam)
- Kaylyn Allen
- Discussion on other industry issues (if anything raised by the members)
- Proposal of new leadership team by Mary Tarnowka, Executive Director of AmCham Vietnam – HCMC & Da Nang
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5:00-6:15 pm, Baker McKenzie (Vietnam) HCMC Office, 12th Floor, Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan Blvd, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
To be updated
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9:00-10:00 am, AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
To be updated
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9:00-10:15 am, AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
Agenda:
- Welcome & Introduction from all attendees
- Cold Chain challenges & solutions in Vietnam – past/present/future by Mr. Luong Quang Thi, Chairman, ABA Cooltrans
- Upcoming events
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AmCham Premium Membership |
The AmCham Premium Membership 2020 is a leadership-level membership for companies contributing strategic support for AmCham's mission and programs. Our Premium Membership comes with a range of exclusive benefits. One all-inclusive Premium Membership's annual billing simplifies your businesses' sponsorship efforts. |
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We love our AmCham members! Do you know all the benefits you get with your membership? Maybe you only remember the ones you've used recently, but there are many ways even our basic level members benefit at AmCham. |
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The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam
New World Hotel Suite 323
76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: +84 28 3824 3562
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