AmCham Vietnam Weekly eNewsletter - 32nd Week of 2022

Weekly eNewsletter

32nd Week of 2022 - August 11, 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.

www.amchamvietnam.com

Dear ,

COVID redux. At our June “Take Charge of your Health and Wellness” event, Dr. Jane Li and Astrid Matarrita warned us to be prepared to get COVID again, especially if we travel. My daughter Zofia and I planned to visit relatives in California that we had not seen in years. Instead, she is spending lots of time in my older daughter’s guest room on eating alone on the balcony, while I try to be a good mom (and sleep on the couch). Phở was an early request. Thankfully, she has a nice view, and the weather is pleasant. Since she has only mild symptoms, we sent her out for a masked dog walk, too. So far, at least as far as I know, I have avoided getting COVID. I am thankful for vaccines and boosters - and good luck so far - wishing all of you good health! The poppies are among my favorite flowers – they are also the official California state flower.

Upcoming Events and Committee Meetings:

Policy Advocacy Events. See our Advocacy Report below for more details on upcoming AmCham policy advocacy discussions, including on: developing low-carbon projects in HCMC, implementation of the Environmental Protection Law, and general business outlook and policy recommendations with the Prime Minister.

Other Upcoming Events. We encourage you to join our August 18th hybrid event, Unicorns in HR Recruitment, Engagement, and Retention: Digital Platforms to Find and Support Employees in a Disruptive World, a collaboration by AmCham’s Digital Economy, Women in Leadership, and HR Committees. Don’t miss the August 23th AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) 5th Virtual Door Knock, Jonathan Martin, New York Times National Political Reporter and Author of the best-selling “This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future”, free for AmCham members, and also August 24th AAP Virtual Readout on the D.C. Door Knock. And we hope to see many of you at our August 24th Connect & Cocktail at OnTop Bar of Novotel Saigon Centre. Our next AmCham Da Nang Connect & Cocktails will be on Friday, August 19, at the Shilla Monogram Resort from 6 pm onwards. All members are encouraged to join this opportunity for professional networking, including with our honored guest, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper. The event will include free flow of wine and canapés on the beach.

Upcoming Committee Meetings. AmCham members are invited to join our upcoming committee meetings either in-person at the AmCham office or virtually.

August 17: Healthcare Committee Meeting

August 18: HR Committee Meeting

Recent Events:

August 4^th Ethical Supply Chains: Ensuring Compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (Focus on Apparel). AmCham’s Manufacturing Committee helps manufacturers in Vietnam maintain ethical supply chains and access to U.S. markets. On August 4th, we welcomed participation of U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper and subject matter experts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, who briefed on the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. A follow-on panel focused on the apparel sector, where industry experts shared tips on maintaining ethical supply chains in Vietnam, including best practices to ensure transparency, traceability, and trust in supply chains.

Truong Hai Supporting Industries And Mechanics LLC (THACO Industries) New Premium Corporate Member: We are delighted to welcome THACO Industries as a Premium Member at the Bronze-level and value its support. 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 are all well! Last week, AmCham Da Nang attended the Opening Ceremony of the International East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) Trade, Tourism and Investment Fair - Da Nang 2022. The East–West Economic Corridor is an economic development program initiated in order to promote development and integration of five Southeast Asian countries, namely: Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The concept was agreed upon in 1998 at the Ministerial Conference of the Greater Mekong Subregion. The EWEC became operational on December 12, 2006.

The EWEC was created based on a road of 1,450 km with the west end at the port city of Mawlamyine (Myanmar), crossing Kayin Division, Thai provinces of Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Khon Kaen, Kalasin and Mukdahan, the Laotian province of Savannakhet, and the Vietnamese provinces of Quảng Trị, Thừa Thiên–Huế Province and Đà Nẵng city as the east end. By using the East–West Economic Corridor, the travel time between Bangkok and Yangon is three days, compared with the two to three weeks needed for conventional marine transportation via the Straits of Malacca. It was interesting to see all the regional products on display at the Trade Fair as well as to hear the opinions of the many country representatives discussing how to promote economic growth post-COVID. We hope that the EWEC will be truly back up to speed as soon as possible and trade between the nations remains strong. We also look forward to additional transportation infrastructure investment planned to strengthen Vietnam's internal economic integration.

Our next AmCham Da Nang Connect & Cocktails will be on Friday, August 19, at the Shilla Monogram Resort from 6 pm onwards. All members are encouraged to join this opportunity for professional networking, including with our honored guest, U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper. The event will include free flow of wine and canapés on the beach. The event is free for AmCham members/ 200,000 vnd for non-members.

Advocacy

AmCham continues to participate in various policy events to share member concerns and recommendations, including on: developing low-carbon projects in HCMC, implementation of the Environmental Protection Law, and general business outlook and policy recommendations with the Prime Minister.

We look forward to the opportunity to exchange views on Thursday, August 11 at “Private Sector Roundtable: Structuring Low Carbon Projects”, together with USABC, EuroCham, FUV, World Bank and HCMC People’s Committee representatives as part of efforts to support establishment of a carbon trading market in HCMC.

AmCham has agreed to co-host an August 15 consultation workshop in HCMC on implementation of the new Environmental Protection Law’s Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund organized by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources. AmCham’s remarks are being coordinated by our Food & Beverage Committee, together with our ESG Committee. Please see invitation and agenda in English and Vietnamese if you want to attend in-person or virtually.

Prime Minister Chinh has expressed interest in hearing private sector views on how the government is doing managing the economy so far in 2022, the business outlook, and recommendations to improve the business climate in Vietnam. An event with local business associations was scheduled for August 11, with an event with foreign business associations planned for late August (date TBD), with submission of AmCham remarks by August 17. We will keep you apprised once we know more.

Meanwhile, 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)

August 17: Healthcare Committee Meeting

August 18: HR Committee Meeting

August 23: Tourism and Hospitality Committee Meeting

August 24: Logistics & Supply Chain Committee Meeting

August 26: Agriculture Committee Meeting

August 30: Women in Leadership Committee Meeting

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.