Weekly eNewsletter
30th & 31st Weeks of 2022 - August 2, 2022
AmCham Vietnam’s Vision:

We strive to continue to be the most influential, strategic, and dynamic business association in Vietnam.
AmCham welcomes American, Vietnamese, and international companies that share our interest in enabling a fair, transparent, predictable, and efficient regulatory environment that values innovation.
We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as environment, social, and governance values and aim to be a community you want to join.
Dear ,
Importance of Being There IRL.  It is very different to meet in-person, face-to-face versus virtually, whether for work or personal reasons. Our AmCham Vietnam delegation to the AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) 2022 Washington Door Knock – Vice Chair and Baker McKenzie Partner Hang Nguyen; Governor and SSA Marine VP Soren Pedersen; AES Vietnam Country Representative Joe Uddo; Wanek VP and General Director Andrew Lien; and Pacifico Energy Jennifer Oxlade - learned just that when we met with top Administration officials and Congressional representatives and exchanged views on how best to strengthen U.S. trade and investment ties in the Asia Pacific. I felt similarly the next week having quality time with my daughters and family. It didn’t hurt to enjoy blue skies and cool weather while hiking, too. 
Upcoming Events and Committee meetings
Upcoming Events.  There are two really important events coming up this week and more soon:  

August 4th 8-10:30AM Ethical Supply Chains: Ensuring Compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (Focus on Apparel).  Don't miss this important virtual event Thursday morning at 8AM on the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), which went into effect on June 21. GIven the Vietnam manufacturing sector's continued reliance on inputs from China, the UFLPA could have a major impact on manufacturing exports to the United States from Vietnam. Register now for your company and partner companies. U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper and senior officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection will explain more about why the legislation exists, and what you and your partner companies need to do to ensure your supply chains comply, so your shipments to the United States are not detained. Stay online for a follow-on panel discussion of experts about practical steps you can take in the apparel sector to help ensure transparent, traceable supply chains and enable provision of "clear and convincing evidence" that any goods you or partner companies produce for export to the United States are not sourced in whole or part with forced labor from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) of China. To facilitate broader participation by partner companies, both the USG briefing and follow-on panel discussion will be conducted in English, with simultaneous interpretation to Vietnamese. Many thanks to our Manufacturing Committee Co-Chairs Giovanni Rojas and Andrew Lien and U.S. Consulate Economic Chief Alex Tatsis and Economic Officer Nhu Vu for coordinating this Business Intelligence Briefing. LINK

Some helpful references about the UFLPA are included below:

August 5th Fulbright University Vietnam Seminar, The Bilateral Relationship Between the United States and Vietnam Under President Joe Biden. Join to hear from international experts. Invitation and agenda LINK. Limited physical participants so reservations will be accepted on first come first served basis. Please register with Ms. Dang Phuong Giao at giao.dang@fulbright.edu.vn before 5:00PM, August 2nd. To join it virtually via Zoom, please register before August 3rd at LINK
ASEAN Business Outlook Survey.  Don’t miss the chance to have your voice heard. AmCham Vietnam, in collaboration with AmCham Singapore and other AmChams across ASEAN, invites you to contribute to the 2022 ASEAN Business Outlook Survey (ABOS). The 2022 ABOS report will be available at the end of August 2022, and AmCham Singapore will schedule a regional debrief for AmChams in ASEAN shortly thereafter, including speakers from key countries of interest. Vietnam was included in the last such event as the top market of interest. Let's see how we do this year! SURVEY LINK
Upcoming Committee Meetings:  AmCham members are invited to join our upcoming committee meetings either in-person at the AmCham office or virtually:
Recent Events:
July Connect & Cocktails. AmCham Vietnam Chair in HCMC Winnie Wong and her husband Gek Lee welcomed AmCham members and friends to our July Connect & Cocktails for an evening of professional networking at Racha Room on Wednesday, July 28th.  Save the date for our next C&C on Wednesday, August 24th, venue TBD.
AmChams of Asia Pacific 2022 Washington Doorknock. AmCham Vietnam was well represented at the AmChams of Asia Pacific 2022 Washington Doorknock, sharing our views on the mutual importance of U.S. trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific and a substantive Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, digital trade plus, and particularly the opportunities available for U.S. businesses in Vietnam.

We met with senior Biden and former USG Administration officials, bipartisan members of Congress, and think tanks. We also had several Vietnam-specific meetings at the Department of Commerce, State Department Bureau of Energy Resources, Vietnamese Embassy, and Customs and Border Protection. Many thanks to AAP Chair @Steve Okun for his leadership in organizing!  

Although there was bipartisan concern about unfair competition by China and little domestic interest in trade agreements granting additional market access, there also was broad recognition of the importance of the Asia-Pacific region to both U.S. national and economic security interests. And the need for the United States to stay engaged and demonstrate leadership in this dynamic region, enabling free and open trade and investment, and a level playing field for U.S. businesses. We plan to schedule a Door Knock readout soon – stay tuned for more details!!
I was honored to meet with Vietnam’s Ambassador to the United States, HE Nguyen Quoc Dung,  Economic Counselor Tuan To, MPI Counselor Van Le, and Trade Counselor Do Ngoc Hung, together with members of our AmCham Vietnam delegation from HCMC: Vice Chair and Baker McKenzie Partner Hang Nguyen; Secretary and AIM Founder, Chairman, and CEO Mark Gillin; AES Vietnam President Joe Uddo; and Pacifico Energy Investment Director Jennifer Oxlade.  We had an excellent exchange as we discussed our shared interests in strengthening the U.S.-Vietnam trade and investment partnership. Great culmination for the Vietnam delegation to the AmChams of Asia Pacific 2022 Washington Door Knock!
AmCham Premium Corporate 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 
Advocacy
In the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF), activities are continuing through the summer months.
First, there was a Dialogue with the General Department of Customs on August 5. Second, there will also be a Dialogue with the Ministry of Finance and the General Department of Taxation in the middle of August (the meeting date is not fixed yet but will be between August 10-19).  On Wednesday, July 27, the Banking Working Group in cooperation with VNBA, held a dialogue on the draft Law on e-transactions at the State Bank of Vietnam. Please contact your Working Group head or us if you have any questions. Stay tuned for future updates from 2022 AmCham VBF Representative Fred Burke. 
 
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
Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members only)
Key Media Updates
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.
Upcoming Events
August 5 - 8:00-3:00pm
At The Independence Palace, 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1 and via Zoom.

Physical participation: on first come first served basis. Please register with Ms. Dang Phuong Giao at giao.dang@fulbright.edu.vn before 5:00 PM, August 2nd.
Invitation and agenda here.

Virtual participation: Register by August 3rd to join virtually via Zoom at LINK
August 24 - 6:00-8:30pm. SAVE THE DATE
Venue to be confirmed.
August 23 - 10:00am. SAVE THE DATE
AAP Virtual Door Knock event: Jonathan Martin, National Political Correspondent, New York Times, and author of "This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future 
More details coming soon.
August 29 - 4:30-5:30pm
At the AmCham Vietnam Office, Room 323, New World Hotel, 76 Le Lai St., Dist. 1 and via Zoom
Offer to AmCham Members

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