“Pigs (or horses) sweat, men perspire, women glow.” When I was growing up (a long time ago), my Girl Scout leader tried to teach us some etiquette with that saying. Most of her lessons didn’t stick, but I must say I am feeling pretty glowy these days, especially when I do outdoor PT. But the orchids love it!

May 17 9-10:15am Digital Economy and Technology Committee Meeting, featuring AWS’s Don Phan on “An Introduction to Crypto: a Vietnamese Perspective”. AmCham members only welcome in person or virtually. LINK

May 17 2:30-4pm Healthcare Committee Meeting. AmCham members only welcome in person or virtually. Guest Speaker Family Medical Practice’s Dr. Jane Li will preview a planned June event: Recovering Your Equilibrium: Self-care post-COVID. LINK

May 17 Chair’s Circle (invite-only) Dialogue with HCMC People’s Committee Chairman Pham Van Mai. We are delighted to host this private dialogue with Chairman Mai. Chairman Mai has requested an interactive exchange with leading AmCham investors and employers to better understand the key opportunities and challenges for your businesses, as well as how AmCham and HCMC leaders can partner to attract more investment and drive innovation and sustainable growth. He expressed special interest in growing high-value manufacturing and sustainable supply chains, enabling the digital economy, promoting healthcare and wellness, and developing a globally competitive workforce. Given limited in-person participation, this event will be held as a Chair’s Circle Event on an invite-only basis for members of the HCMC Board of Governors, former Chairs, Diamond and Gold sponsors, and a few other representatives with particular subject matter expertise. https://www.amchamvietnam.com/chairs-circle/ While in-person participation is limited, we will seek to ensure we are representing all our members’ interests!

May 18 9-11am World Bank's "How will Vietnam Blossom? Reforming institutions for effective implementation. You are cordially invited to the launch of the World Bank’s Systemic Country Diagnostic Update 2021 entitled “How will Vietnam Blossom? Reforming institutions for effective implementation”, which will be held from 9:00–11:00am on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. You can join virtually via Facebook Live or Zoom (Passcode: Hanoi@1357). LINK

May 18 10-11:30am Ties that Bind: Logistics, Supply Chain and Trade Connectivity in Southeast Asia. Dealing with challenges in your manufacturing supply chains and logistics? Navigating disruptions in critical raw material inputs and the need to ensure transparent traceability and adherence to ESG standards while faced with increased cost and availability issues in shipping? Join us Wednesday, May 18 from 10-1130 at “Ties that Bind: Logistics, Supply Chains, and Trade Connectivity in Southeast Asia”. This virtual, interactive session, co-hosted by AmCham Vietnam in collaboration with AmCham Singapore and AmCham Thailand, will feature lessons learned to enable sustainability and resiliency in manufacturing supply chains, logistics, and trade connectivity in Southeast Asia and the greater Mekong region. Expert panelists include UPS South Asia Pacific President Billie Tan, J&J Managing Director Thailand and New Territories Arpaporn (Gift) Samabhandu, and Asian Trade Centre Founder and Executive Director and Asia Business Trade Federation President Dr. Deborah Elms, with AmCham Vietnam Executive Director Mary Tarnowka as Moderator. Complimentary participants for AmCham Vietnam members. LINK

May 19 9-10am Tax & Customs Committee. AmCham members also welcome in person or virtually. Committee Chair Vinh Nguyen and An Vo of Deloitte Vietnam will provide the update on tax development. RSM's Le Khanh Lam will share the requirements of E-invoice which will be effected from July 1, 2022. You will then be updated on customs development by Committee Vice Chair Bob Fletcher. And finally, AmCham Board Member and AIM Founder Mark Gillin will share with you the update on Da Nang AmCham-US Mission Leadership Weekend held in April 23. LINK

May 19-21 AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Business Summit in Hanoi and Hue. AmCham Hanoi is hosting the AAP 2022 Business Summit in Hanoi and Hue May 19-21. LINK 

Save the Date and register now: for May 26^th event, Prevent and Manage Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Legal Requirements and Best Practices at the InterContinental Saigon and virtually LINK; AmCham’s May 26 Connect & Cocktails at Cocotte Sila Tower, and the Women in Leadership Committee’s May 31 Committee Meeting and Networking event (venue to be announced soon); and a June 2^nd networking event for Binh Duong members!

PM Chinh’s visit to the United States. Last week and early this week, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is leading a delegation to the United States for the May 12-13 U.S.-ASEAN Summit, hosted by President Joe Biden. The Summit focused on strategic interests of an “Indo-Pacific that is free and open, secure, connected, and resilient.” Topics of discussion included the ongoing fight against the pandemic, cooperation to combat climate change, supply chain challenges, and security challenges in the region and globally, including the war in Ukraine. President Biden said the Summit reflected a “new era” with ASEAN. The vision statement issued at the Summit called for an elevation of relations from a “strategic partnership” to a “strategic comprehensive partnership”, and reaffirmed “respect for sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity.”

No More COVID Tests Required for Arrival. Meanwhile, here in Vietnam, the big news is that as of May 15, COVID tests are no longer required for new international arrivals in Vietnam! We hope additional measures can be taken soon to ease further mobility for temporary residents, business travelers, and tourists.

AmCham Membership Renewal. Renew now to retain your membership benefits! If you haven’t already, make sure you renew your membership now to continue your involvement in AmCham, with opportunities for professional networking, business intelligence, advocacy to improve the business environment, and promotion of your business. Please renew promptly and consider upgrading to become Premium Members! If you haven’t yet received your renewal notice, please contact Membership Manager Sam Hoang. 

AmCham Premium Corporate Membership: AmCham Premium membership offers the opportunity for qualified companies to highlight your status as business leaders and your strategic support for AmCham Vietnam’s mission and programs. Premium Membership offers a range of benefits, and exclusive VIP access. Customized packages are available. To learn more, see LINK or contact Office Manager Cindy Tran. 

Thank you for your continued support – let us know how we can do better at team@amchamvietnam.com! Regards, Mary

Greetings from Da Nang and I hope you all are well! Great news to see tourism recovering here in Da Nang! Look forward to seeing more AmCham members and friends in town!!

May 17 Chair’s Circle (invite-only) Dialogue with HCMC People’s Committee Chairman Pham Van Mai. Please see description above regarding the event. Chairman Mai expressed special interest in growing high-value manufacturing and sustainable supply chains, enabling the digital economy, promoting healthcare and wellness, and developing a globally competitive workforce. Thank you to participants and those who provided feedback.

May 19 8am-4pm “Improving Trade and Logistics in and around Cat Lai” workshop. The workshop will discuss and collect comments from relevant stakeholders on the Pre-feasibility Study; inform about additional support for the local business community; and discuss the way forward. Please fill the FORM to confirm your attendance or confirm through Ms. Vu Minh Hien, Email: hien.vu@vietnamtfp.com, Cell phone: 0932 365 247 before COB May 17.

May 20 “Meeting Between the HCMC Leaders and Foreign Business Associations”. This event, originally scheduled for April 28, will now take place on Friday, May 20. If you have insights you wish to share, please send soonest to advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com

AmChams of the Asia Pacific July Doorknock. We encourage AmCham members who are interested to register for the AmChams of the Asia-Pacific (AAP) July 17-20 AAP Doorknock in Washington DC (registration fee TBD, likely $1000) LINK. 

We welcome your feedback on these and other issues to ensure we are aware of your top concerns. This report and prior Advocacy Reports are available on AmCham’s Advocacy page. LINK. Please send your feedback on what is working, what issues remain, and recommended solutions to relevant Committee Chairs, advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com

May 17: Digital Economy & Technology Committee Meeting

May 17: Healthcare Committee Meeting

May 19: HR Committee Meeting

May 19: Tax & Customs Committee Meeting

May 24: Tourism and Hospitality Committee Meeting

May 25: Logistics & Supply Chain Committee Meeting

May 31: Women in Leadership Committee Meeting

Stay informed about key developments affecting your business by checking frequently – updated regularly on weekdays. On weekends, stay informed and connected through AmCham’s Facebook, Linked IN, and Instagram. LINK to our Key Media Updates.

Virtual participation only event.

Virtual participation only event. Please register to receive the meeting link.

For more information and registration, click HERE

At Cocotte Sila Tower, 21 Ngo Thoi Nhiem Street, D3

At InterContinental Saigon Hotel and via Zoom

Virtual participation only event.

1st Floor, Jade Palace Restaurant, Grand Square, Becamex Hotel Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong

At InterContinental Saigon Hotel and via Zoom

All AmCham Members welcome.

For more information, visit www.amchamAP.com