AmCham HCMC Weekly Update - 9th Week of 2020
NEWS
Survey Results: The Business Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak - Summary & Highlights
Results are in! Our flash-survey from last week shows the business impact to our members from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Thank you to over 170 of our member representatives who shared your concerns, challenges, and impact from the disruptions to business, travel and society here in Vietnam.
This information will help AmCham support our members through these uncertain times and is critical for policy-makers and others to hear from our AmCham community.

For a summary and more detailed highlights of the survey results:
Highlights: http://bit.ly/2T4sWsk

Our Business Impact of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Outbreak survey results are being reported in Tuoi Tre News.
Stay Informed- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
The top health takeaway guidance is to wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer when you don't have access to soap and water, keep your hands away from your face, and stay home and contact your medical professional if you are sick.

Stay informed about the most accurate up-to-date health developments at:

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. 
The Vietnam Business Forum - demystified at February 25’s Business Intelligence Briefing. VBF is not an exclusive club with secret initiation rites.

It is an ongoing public-private policy dialogue aimed at improving the business environment in Vietnam.

AmCham is a key member of the management board, together with VCCI, Eurocham, KoCham, JBA, and BBGV.

Every year we have an AmCham rep and alternate, who raise our issues year-round, particularly in the lead-up to the twice/year meetings with the PM or DPM and Vietnamese ministries, typically held in June and December.

In 2020, HCMC’s Fred Burke is our rep and Hanoi’s Ginny Foote is our alternate. In January, 2019 National Chair Amanda Rasmussen presented AmCham’s position paper highlighting our members’ key concerns (English: http://bit.ly/36EjIIF, Vietnamese: http://bit.ly/2R0zh7a).

Many AmCham business leaders are leaders of sectoral working groups and all AmCham members in good standing are eligible to participate in VBF actively, or just receive working group email updates.

We will post more information about VBF activities on our website and Fred will keep us informed of key developments throughout the year.

Meanwhile, to get you started:
Link to VBF’s home page: https://vbf.org.vn/
Link to VBF working groups: https://vbf.org.vn/working-groups/overview/
Link to 2019 VBF white paper: http://bit.ly/2Tbkr0i
Super Tuesday is coming. If you are an American citizen, whatever your political preference, make sure you are registered to vote - in both primary and general elections!

Visit  www.fvap.gov/guide  for complete info about overseas voting in the 2020 U.S. elections, including voter registration, primary and general election dates, and vote mailing deadlines. Have additional questions? Email us at VoteHoChiMinhCity@state.gov if you are in the south of Vietnam or VoteHanoi@state.gov if you are in the north.
Chris Thompson's Saigon City Guid e Gives a Shout-Out to AmCham
Chris states "From a business perspective, if you want to meet new people in Saigon, it would be a good idea to sign up as a member of the American Chamber of Commerce. The organization has been thriving now for over 25 years in Vietnam and they organize some of the best networking events on a regular basis and are very welcoming and supportive to newcomers. Mary Tarnowka, the executive director, is very active on the scene and their Annual Christmas Ball held at the InterContinental Saigon is a real fixture on the social calendar…and one not to miss." Read more...
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Furama Resort Danang, 103-105 Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Ngu Hanh Son District, Danang

Join us at our second Connect & Cocktails – Da Nang. Our Executive Director Mary Tarnowka and Membership Manager Sam Hoang would like to meet informally with our Da Nang-based members, potential members, and partners, including Da Nang-based Vietnamese business association members. We will briefly share our plans to expand our presence in Danang and look forward to hearing from you how we can better support your businesses and contribute to our mission of promoting trade and investment between the United States and Vietnam, and serving as the voice of American business in Vietnam.
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm, Dreamplex Tran Quang Khai, 5F, 62 Tran Quang Khai Street, District 1

 AMCHAM’s newly-formed Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative was created to engage and support entrepreneurs to learn and grow; share knowledge about trends in innovation; and facilitate value creation between young, innovative businesses and larger, mature companies.
Please join us for a collaborative, town hall style meeting aimed to identify what topics programming and initiatives we’ll focus on in 2020. Your participation will help ensure we pursue activities and produce events that our community needs.
5:45 pm - 8:30 pm, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, Dist. 1. 

Join for AmCham Members Night with the U.S. Consulate General Team on Thursday, March 12 from 5:45-8:30PM at the newly-renovated New World Hotel Saigon.
This will be a special opportunity to meet your AmCham Vietnam-HCMC Board of Governors, welcome our new members, hear updates on AmCham Vietnam’s 2020 strategic goals and objectives from AmCham Chairwoman Amanda Rasmussen, and hear from U.S. Consul General Marie Damour and her Consulate General team about their 2020 priorities and events.
Wed, Mar 25 -- Special AmCham Connect & Cocktail
6:00pm, The Reverie Saigon, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1 

Come and join us the special Connect & Cocktail with our Board Members and Leaders of Committees at The Reverie Saigon. Don't forget to bring many of your business cards to network and mingle with them, other members, and guests. 
08:00 am - 5:30 pm, International Convention Center, 11 Le Hong Phong Street, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi

Co-hosted by the Government of Vietnam and the Central Economic Commission, the Vietnam Energy Summit 2020 with the theme "Orientation of Vietnam's national energy development strategy to 2030, vision to 2045", will be held on March 30, 2020 in Hanoi. The co-organizing agencies include the Central Propaganda and Training Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, European Union (EU), the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Embassy of Finland and Vietnam Energy Association. IEC Group is responsible for logistics, advertising and exhibition for this event.
The Summit consists of: A High-level Forum, 4 Conference Sessions and an Exhibition on modern energy models and technologies.
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm, AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1

At this new members event, you will learn more from our Executive Director, Mary Tarnowka, about AmCham Vietnam benefits, our mission, and programs to help new members achieve success, and how to get involved in and maximize your investment in AmCham membership. It is also a way to meet other new AmCham Vietnam HCMC members. While this event is designed for new members, we welcome other members on a space available basis. Contact  Ms. Sam Hoang  for more information.
7:30 am - 1:30 pm, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, Dist. 1

Join this workshop to:
  • Learn about new legal requirements to combat human trafficking and forced labor, enacted by California, the UK, and Australia, among others;
  • Understand trafficking and forced labor patterns in Vietnam that lead to tragedies;
  • Hear the perspectives of companies who have taken action to combat trafficking and forced labor - and improved their companies' bottom lines;
  • Meet service providers who can help your companies ensure compliance; and
  • Create an informal alliance of factories, companies, and other stakeholders who can share best practices in preventing human trafficking and forced labor.
Renew your membership and update your company profile for 2020 AmCham Directory which will be printed soon ! 
For many of you, it's time to renew your membership for 2020 and continue your involvement in AmCham, with opportunities for networking, information-sharing, advocacy to improve the business environment, and promotion of your business.
Do not forget to update your company profile online and for printing in the 2020 Membership Directory when you renew.
Contact  Ms. Sam Hoang  with any questions.
There are many reasons to advertise in the AmCham Vietnam membership directory! Promote your products and/or services and enhance your company's image within Vietnam and the Southeast Asian business community.  
The directory is used daily by AmCham members and their employees, as it is a quick way to find contact details of AmCham members.
It is also a valuable source of information for firms considering investment in Vietnam.  And you get a year of exposure!
Circulation: 1,700 copies, approximately 440 pages, dimensions: 19cm x 26cm. Perfect bind, soft laminated cover.
Publish date: Estimated April-May 2020
For more information and advertising, please contact  Ms. Cindy Tran
COMMITTEE MEETINGS & ACTIVITIES 
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm, Sunwah Corner, 6th Floor, Sunwah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue, District 1

Regular monthly meeting of the committee. Discussion on current issues of concern from participants and alignment on next actions to address those issues
Wed, Mar 4 -- HR Committee Meeting
8:30 am - 9:30 am, Baker & McKenzie (Vietnam) Ltd, 12th Floor, Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan Street, District 1

The committee will meet and discuss the leadership and action plan 2020.
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm,  AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1

The committee will meet and discuss the leadership and action plan 2020.
5:00 pm - 6:15 pm, Baker & McKenzie (Vietnam) Ltd, 12th Floor, Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan Street, District 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.
9:00 am - 11:00 am, Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, 8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1

Agenda includes:
  • Market update – Co-Chairs
  • Renewable energy and rooftop solar in Vietnam for Logistics industry – Borriess Plass
  • Networking event and company visit – Co-Chairs & Secretary
  • Other business
8:00 am - 9:30 am, Mimosa 1, 19th Fl., Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, 8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1

Regular monthly meeting of the Manufacturing Committee for networking, information-sharing, and planning advocacy efforts to improve the business environment and promote trade and investment between Vietnam and the U.S.
SPONSORED NEWS 
ABS Institute would like to offer special deal of E-Learning / LMS service to all AMCHAM Members:
✧ E-Learning / LMS service - Moodle - Life time use - US$ 495 - Silver package
✧ Link for promotion:  https://abs.education/course/view.php?id=72
✧ 6 months free trial - cancel anytime - Additional 10% Off 
Please feel free to contact us at  billnguyen@absi.edu.vn
Note: The price is US$ 495 for the whole system of E-Learning, NOT a host account
Whether you are planning an internal training or a seminar, Saigon’s best connected meeting space will be the perfect fit for all your needs
Book from now to 31 Aug 2020 to enjoy exclusive meeting packages, starting at VND 450,000 per person
With choice of 2 exclusive perks:
  • 5% off Event master bill;
  • Complimentary photo-shoot backdrop; or
  • 50% discount on breakout room rental
Plus receive 8 add-on benefits.
*Terms & conditions apply
Contact: 028-3948-5050 Email:  catering@sgnsa.com
Despite the parties’ expectation of smooth implementation and lucrative benefits, there can be practical factors leading to potential dispute to which the relevant evidence standing for each party’s position is the key to win.
This insight will help you to understand how the evidence works under the Vietnamese law for prevention of contractual risks or prompt settlement of arose dispute amicably without any litigation or ultimate preparation of a good litigation strategy in case litigation is unavoidable. 
Should you have any question, please contact us at  www.letranlaw.com/contact  and follow us on  http://bit.ly/Letran-LinkedIn .
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DO YOU KNOW...?
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.
Click  HERE  for Premium Members' benefits. 
Welcome new members
American Education and Development Group Inc; American Fashion JSC; ANT Law; ASART Deal Advisoty Company Limited; ATT Logistics JSC; Children of Vietnam; Focus Consulting Co., Ltd; Fuji Xerox Vietnam Co., Ltd; Grant Thornton (Vietnam) Limited; HFI LLC ; HR1 Vietnam Co., Ltd; IQVIA; Mövenpick Resort Phu Quoc; Lana Learn; Ledup Enterprise Inc.; Lift-All Co.; Manpower Vietnam; Onesky Foundation; Online Mobile Services JSC (Momo); Poseidon Supply Company; PSL Company; Pure Vietnam Company Limited; Tam Minh Technology JSC; United Overseas Bank; Vietcetera; Vietcombank; Vitabella JSC

Young Professional Member: Mr. Hoan Vo
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.
Click  HERE  for details. 
In the News
AmCham Vietnam |   contact@amchamvietnam.com   |   www.amchamvietnam.com