AmCham Vietnam Weekly Update - 17th Week of 2020
Activities Update
Colleagues, we are impressed by Vietnam's response to date in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak, and delighted to have a bit more freedom of movement. Please continue to be vigilant as we all deal with a "new normal." 

We know you all continue to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on your businesses and families. We want to inform you of actions AmCham Vietnam-HCMC is taking in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and request your assistance to help us serve you and our other AmCham members better. A summary of recent actions is below:

1. Policy Recommendations.   AmCham Vietnam-HCMC continues to make an impact. Thanks to your feedback and recommendations, and expert advisers in our COVID19 Policy Task Force (particularly Baker & McKenzie's Fred Burke, Nguyen Thuy Hang, Nguyen Thanh Vinh, and Chung Yee), we are providing timely, constructive recommendations to the Vietnamese government on policies to support the control of the COVID-19 outbreak, while minimizing the negative economic impact on the economy and people of Vietnam, and our members.

We know this situation will continue to evolve. Please share your concerns and policy recommendations, ideally sector or industry-based, to our task force ( COVID19policyrecs@amchamvietnam.com ). We will be making another submission of recommendations to VCCI on Monday, April 27,  based on suggestions we receive by Sunday, April 26.
2. Contributions of Goods and Financial Contributions by AmCham and our Member Companies to Support the Vietnamese Government's Response.    AmCham Vietnam-HCMC commends the effectiveness of actions taken by Vietnamese Government leaders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and is proud of the contributions toward this response made by our member companies. 

We  will also be announcing an appeal next week for another COVID-19-related donation, this time to the HCMC Centers for Disease Control. We are finalizing details and getting specifications of an RNA/DNA extractor, a PCR analyzer, and a centrifuge. They are all critical equipment both for COVID and beyond.  The total cost will be about $120,000.  We hope you will be able to contribute to this important cause. 

Meanwhile, we are happy to highlight contributions from our member companies on our social media and with the U.S. Mission. Please email details to  Cindy Tran .

3. Identifying companies that want to manufacture Personal Protective Equipment for export to the United States .   The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has asked AmCham for assistance in identifying companies that may want to manufacture PPE for export to the United States. USAID is coordinating this initiative through the LinkSME program. If your company has interest/capability in manufacturing and exporting PPE, please contact Frank Weiand at  fweiand@linksme.org  for more information.

4. Supporting Local Business.   We know many businesses in Ho Chi Minh City and throughout Vietnam are struggling, due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. And we know the impact of the outbreak has been particularly hard on small, local businesses. We at AmCham want to support local businesses which contribute so much to our quality of life in Vietnam by inviting them to join our 2020 AmCham Discount Partnership Program. Please consider joining for your company or refer a favorite local business by sending their email address or a copy of their business card to Membership Manager  Sam Hoang . Make sure you support our Discount Partners, many of which now offer online shopping or delivery services. Click  HERE  for our Discount Partners information.

5. Supporting Vietnam's Front-Line Workers.    To continuously support the Vietnamese Government in the COVID-19 fight, AmCham Vietnam-HCMC would like to call for your contribution of less perishable food items to some of the front-line workers in Vietnam's hospitals and public quarantine areas. We are working with the Vietnam Fatherland Front of HCMC for this campaign. Contact Office Manager  Cindy Tran , who can ensure contributions are still welcomed and coordinate delivery.

Please stay well and be safe in our new normal environment! 

Mary Tarnowka, Executive Director
AmCham Office is Open for Business - Still Mostly Virtually
Someday soon, we plan to reopen the AmCham office for business and we already have new artwork and signage outside to welcome you.  But for now, most of our AmCham team is hard at work, as are many of you, working from home. In the interest of the health and well-being of our AmCham team and our members, and to contribute to the overall social distancing and management of the COVID-19 outbreak in Vietnam, most members of the AmCham team are following a Work From Home (wfh) policy. We will continue to hold all our regularly scheduled meetings as planned during this time, but with virtual participation only, through April 30. We hope to reopen the AmCham office for business soon.
Stay Informed- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
Now classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 situation is changing rapidly throughout the world, including in Vietnam. 

Vietnam currently has 270 reported cases, with 68,890 individuals now in quarantine, 0 deaths. 

Recommended precautions for most healthy individuals are careful hand washing, avoiding touching your face, disinfecting frequently-touched hard surfaces, and practicing social distancing, including avoiding large gatherings.

For the most accurate, up-to-date information, check:
WHO
CDC
MOH
Also, check:
If you are a U.S. citizen, register for the STEP program at  travel.state.gov   to receive updates on health and security information from the U.S. Consulate. 

Some additional tips below from Dr. Mason Cobb, Vice-Chair of AmCham Healthcare Committee’s Medical Providers Subcommittee:
 As the world nears completion of the fourth month of wrestling with COVID, the next chapters in this story are becoming somewhat clearer.  Governments will continue to weigh the difficult tradeoffs in balancing between economic and public health impacts of this crisis.  HCMC will be a “medium risk” area and hence some retail outlets can open.  There will still be limitations on numbers, distance apart, masks, etc.  Massage parlors and hair salons will remain closed.  Other rules will emerge day-by-day.

Masks, two- meter distancing, and frequent hand cleansing remain essential.  Science is working overtime on this: it appears that a nylon stocking inside your mask decreases risk for transmission of the virus!

Most countries around the world have now seemingly passed the peak on the epidemiological curve. The challenge now is to reopen their economies and societies in a manner that does not create excess risk – while being ready to move back into social distancing if a Second Wave hits.  We can think of these processes collectively as “Suppress and Lift".  Given the shockingly high transmissibility of this virus before illness is detected, this seems highly likely, both in Vietnam and globally.

Suppress and Lift measures like testing, contact tracing, travel restrictions, school closures, and social distancing are likely to be applied and relaxed again and again over the coming months in various cities or countries around the region and world.  

The United States has defined four distinct phases in this process:   https://www.aei.org/research-products/report/national-coronavirus-response-a-road-map-to-reopening/  

Vietnam has done an excellent job in executing the first phase of strict social distancing.  We are embarking on the second phase.  Businesses can reopen with restrictions and a gradual process.  Travel, at least domestically, can likely be liberalized in steps.  Careful watching for a second wave could result in the Suppress and Lift strategy.  Any cases would be carefully quarantined and contacts tracked.  Phase 3 is instituting definitive treatment and/or a vaccine.  The final phase is establishing policy priorities and preparedness for the next public health emergency.  While this example is from the United States, most countries will use a similar approach.

It is clear that Vietnam has controlled the spread of COVID effectively with a very limited number of cases and none for several days. Some regional neighbors have not been as fortunate and Europe and the United States are suffering.  These experiences show that the war is not over, it has just moved into a different phase.  Accordingly, we all will have to adapt to this Suppress and Lift likelihood, as this will probably be the new normal for an extended period until an ultimate truce is declared.  
Women In Leadership - a Multi-generational Discussion on Resilience and Innovation
 Insights on resilience and innovation from AmCham's Women in Leadership Committee's inspiring panel of multigenerational women leaders. The importance of grit, a go-getter attitude, the ability to adapt and muddle through, or "always find a way." The "gift" of a difficult past that keeps you grounded. Compassion that comes out of adversity. The importance of "not letting a good crisis go to waste." Utilizing the economic disruption of COVID-19 to accelerate reforms and create a more positive future. Rediscovering the benefits of reflective thought. Nurturing relationships. Re-establishing priorities. Making the decision everyday to be an optimist. Finding mentors and supportive peers. Being a mentor and championing others.

We at AmCham are excited about our Women in Leadership Committee and celebrating the one-year anniversary of our WIL initiative. Please share on your Facebook and Linked In pages and with us - photos of you with inspiring mentors, mentees, peers, colleagues, coaches, friends, family members, or teammates with the hashtags:
AmCham Vietnam Supports Local Business - AmCham 2020 Discount Partner Program
We at AmCham want to support local businesses which contribute so much to our quality of life in Vietnam by inviting them to join our 2020 AmCham Discount Partnership Program. Please consider joining for your company or refer a favorite local business by sending their email address or a copy of their business card to Membership Manager Sam Hoang at sam.hoang@amchamvietnam.com

Companies can choose what level discount or special offer they provide. We just ask that they follow "Most Favored Association" treatment and provide us at least the same percentage discount or special offer that they may already provide other local associations. In return, we will promote our AmCham Discount Partners businesses and encourage our members to become their regular customers as described below:

What is the 2020 AmCham Discount Partnership Program?
✓    A program in which partner businesses promote their business by offering a special discount to more than  1500 AmCham top-profile individuals  who are representatives of over  500 AmCham Company Members.

Why join?
✓   As part of our #AmChamVietnamHCMC #supportlocalbusiness campaign, we will feature select partner businesses on our Facebook page and website
✓    Your company will be promoted widely to all AmCham members, partners, and website subscribers.
✓    Discount offers are  free  to be listed in our AmCham Discount Partner Handbook on our website at  LINK  (our website has over 180,000 visitors/year and 500,000 views/year). 
✓   Your business can enjoy member rates when booking advertisements on our  Member Discount Online ,  Weekly Update Email  and  eBlast Email .
✓   Your special promotion programs can be published on AmCham's website    LINK  

How to join?
✓   Fill in the  Participation Form   HERE . 
✓   Book an Advertisement on Discount ONLINE ( Optional ):  REGISTER HERE

Let’s support local businesses - many are still operating online or delivery/takeout, and others have restricted customer numbers to promote social distancing. If you have any questions regarding our program, please contact Membership Manager Sam Hoang at  sam.hoang@amchamvietnam.com

We value and want to support our local businesses!     
Upcoming Events
9:15-10:30am. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
As the world reels from both the health crisis and economic shock caused by Covid-19, businesses today are facing an unprecedented challenge.

Join RED2 Digital’s Director of Digital & Social Strategy Oliver Woods as he takes you on a journey through his insights on channels & consumers and strategies on staying resilient & relevant, peppered with a healthy dose of B2B/B2C case studies and industry anecdotes across the APAC region.

You also get a chance to have your long-standing queries answered and get live advice on marketing during a Q&A session after the talk.
4:00-5:00pm. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
At this new member event, you will learn more from our Executive Director, Mary Tarnowka, about AmCham Vietnam benefits, our mission, programs to help new members achieve success, and how to get involved in and maximize your investment in AmCham membership. While this event is designed for new members, we also welcome other members who want to find out how they can become more involved with the AmCham community.
Contact   Ms. Sam Hoang  for more information.
8:45-10:30am. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Our presentation Tax Issues in Uncertain Times covers two broad themes.

Firstly, 30 March 2020 was the filing deadline for corporate income tax returns for many companies operating in Vietnam. The EY tax team prepared or reviewed the tax returns of hundreds of companies. We want to take this opportunity to highlight common errors and risk areas that we identified in doing this work – this will include both corporate income tax and transfer pricing issues. In many cases the errors and risks can be rectified. This may be particularly important this year as there could be increased pressure on Tax Authorities to ensure companies are compliant. In this part we will also cover recent proposed changes to Decree 20 dealing with limits on interest deductibility.

Secondly, the COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a number of specific tax related issues. On the positive side many countries, including Vietnam, have introduced tax relief measures. We will discuss these. We will also discuss other practical matters you need to consider as a result of the change in business circumstances – such as transfer pricing issues that could arise if your profit falls, the deductibility of donations and obsolete stock, changes to supply chains, and other matters.
7:00-10:00pm at District Federal, 84 Xuan Thuy Street, Dist. 2

In the United State, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico. In the U.S. the date has become associated with the celebration of Mexican and American cultures and friendship. Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for “Fifth of May”, is an annual celebration held on May 5 th  in Mexico. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army unlikely victory over the French Army in the State of Puebla, Mexico. The holiday has been celebrated in California continuously since 1863 and spilled over to the rest of America in 1950’s and 60’s. On June 7 th , 2005 US Congress issued a concurrent resolution calling on Americans to observe Cinco de Mayo with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Let’s celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the American business community in HCMC. 

More information will be coming soon. 
Sponsored News



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Offer valid until 5 May 2020.

Enterprises in Vietnam are facing numerous difficulties that are directly attributable to Covid-19. Many enterprises have temporarily suspended their business for a specific term; others have not formally announced suspension of business but, in practice, have halted or reduced production and business activities and reached mutual agreements with their employees to cease or temporarily leave work with or without salary. However, what if an enterprise has no money to fund salary payments and no mutual agreement with the employee? What is  the solution ?

Central Committee of Vietnam Youth Federation co-operating with PepsiCo Foods Vietnam Company and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage deploy "Millions of Meals" program conveying the message of "Give Meals Give Hope" to support disadvantaged people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only)
4:00-5:30pm. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.

Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
8:30-10:30am. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.

Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
5:00-6:15pm, Baker & McKenzie Office, 12th Floor, Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan Street, Dist.1

Regular monthly meeting of the committee to review upcoming events, discuss and prepare positions on key issues, laws and regulations relating to trade and investment between Vietnam and the United States.
Do You Know?
Let’s support local businesses - many now operating online or delivery/takeout only to promote social distancing. If you have any questions regarding our program, please contact Membership Manager Sam Hoang at sam.hoang@amchamvietnam.com

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.
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.
In the News

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