AmCham Vietnam Weekly Update - 14th Week of 2020
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Colleagues, I know you are all dealing with the impact of COVID-19 on your businesses and families. I 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:
1. Policy Recommendations.
AmCham Vietnam-HCMC is making an impact. Thanks to your feedback and recommendations, and our expert advisers in our COVID19policyrecs group (particularly Baker McKenzie's Fred Burke, Nguyen Thuy Hang, Vinh, and Chung Seck), we are providing timely, constructive recommendations to the Vietnamese government on policies to minimize the negative economic impact of COVID-19 on our members and the people of Vietnam.
On March 27, we issued the position paper regarding
Application of Directive #15/CT-TTg and clarification of the limitations of Service Industry due to COVID-19 in Ho Chi Minh City area.
In this regard, we urgently sought clarification and made recommendations for criteria to be used regarding implementation of Directive #15/CT-TTg issued by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 27, limiting the operation of service establishments in cities and provinces from March 28 through April 15. We sent our recommendations to People's Committee Chairmen in HCMC, Da Nang, and Hanoi, as well as to the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and the Office of the Government (OOG).
On March 30, we issued the position paper regarding
Possible Limitations of Manufacturing and Production Industry due to COVID-19.
We requested that, if additional measures needed to be imposed to limit manufacturing and production industries, in order to ensure essential needs of the population and minimize the negative economic impact, essential/critical manufacturing and production industries be allowed to continue operations. We provided recommendations for criteria to be used in that regard. We again sent our recommendations to People's Committee Chairmen in HCMC, Da Nang, and Hanoi, as well as to VCCI, MPI, and OOG.
On April 3, we partnered with VCCI to co-host the first virtual workshop regarding impact to the Business Community of COVID-19 and Related Policy Recommendations. More than 85 participants and 20 business associations participated to discuss both criteria to be used in determining essential businesses, as well as policy recommendations to mitigate the economic impact of the outbreak. We were informed that our remarks and discussion will be incorporated in a memo to the Prime Minister next Monday. Recommendations discussed at the workshop also appear to have been taken into account in new guidance following an OOG meeting on Friday evening. Click
HERE
for the new guidance.
This will be an iterative process as the situation evolves. Please continue to share any cross-cutting or sectoral (not company) policy recommendations to our collective (
COVID19policyrecs@amchamvietnam.com
) .
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.
To support these efforts, AmCham Vietnam-HCMC donated 250,000 surgical face masks to the the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health for front-line workers directly involved in managing the COVID-19 response in HCMC hospitals and public quarantine areas. AmCham’s donation was made possible thanks to numerous contributions from our members and friends. We would particularly like to recognize the generosity of Intel Products Vietnam, Pharmacity, MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme), Samtec Vietnam, Kimberly-Clark Vietnam, and Fulbright University Vietnam faculty and staff. We also want to thank AmCham’s Healthcare Committee, led by Co-Chairs Chris Blank from Pharmacity and Jonathan Moreno from Diversatek, for making this donation of masks possible.
We know many companies are looking for additional ways to contribute. We are working with local authorities to identify where we can contribute most meaningfully to support the most urgent needs and will share more details next week. Meanwhile, we are happy to highlight contributions from our member companies on our social media and with the U.S. Mission. Please email to
cindy.tran@amchamvietnam.com
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3. Participation in Multi-Chamber Open Letter to Support Vietnamese Government Response
AmCham Vietnam-HCMC h
onored to join AusCham Vietnam and several other chambers in our open letter of support to the Vietnamese Government for its response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We will get through this together.
Click
HERE
for the Letter.
4. Identifying companies that want to manufacture PPE for export to the United States
.
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, please contact Frank Weiand at
fweiand@linksme.org
for more information.
5. 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 at
sam.hoang@amchamvietnam.com
. Make sure you support our Discount Partners, many of which now offer online shopping or delivery services. Click
HERE
for our Discount Partners information.
6. 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. They will arrange their representative to your warehouse for pick up products at your factory/warehouse at your most convenient time. Contact Office Manager Cindy Tran, who can ensure it is still welcomed and coordinate delivery.
We hope this information is useful to you - your AmCham team is still hard at work, virtually working to support you!! Stay safe! Regards, Mary
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AmCham is Open for Business - Virtually
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Someday, we will reopen the AmCham office for business and we already have new artwork and signage outside to welcome you.
But for now, 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, all 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, at least through April 15.
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Stay Informed- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
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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 239 reported cases, with 73,925 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:
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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:
The pandemic is becoming more real as enforceable lock-down measures are in place. The Prime Minister is referring to a month of social distancing, but it is unclear whether an extension of lock-down beyond April 15 is in the works.
Vietnam, with its very strict and proactive approach with social distancing and careful case tracking has resulted in 1 case per 432,432 so far. Given the current success, we should expect more of the same.
We informally talk about the mental health issues of social isolation, but do not address this openly. Lock-down can be a very stressful time for the entire family, but especially for those in businesses that are suffering and with an uncertain future. Giving in to unhealthy habits can lower your immunity and make you more susceptible to COVID-19 as well as other illnesses.
We are all looking for the "magic bullet" to prevent COVID-19. "Clean living" is our best defense. This includes nutritious food in moderation and avoiding junk food. Exercise is key: it is easy to slack off during lock-down. And go easy on alcohol. The only documented immune booster is actually Vitamin D. 2/3 of Vietnamese are deficient in Vitamin D, so this may be a good time for a supplement, or take a walk outdoors in the sunshine.
Managing stress and getting enough sleep are the other components -- possibly the most important, as these are thought to contribute to the medical worker COVID deaths. Stress and lack of sleep make our immune systems more vulnerable.
It is important to manage the stress, whether through exercise, mindfulness or at-home/YouTube yoga, or talking to a professional through telehealth.
It is important to manage sleep, as well. The change in routine as well as stress can cause sleep disturbances. Exercise is a great stress reliever and also sleep aid (if not done right before bedtime). Eating well and avoiding overeating or junk food is also important for good sleep.
These can be trying times. You can become more susceptible if you do not maintain good health practices, and happier and less vulnerable if you do. So, stay safe and stay healthy.
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Members! Isn't It Time to Update Your Company Profile?
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Our new AmCham Directory is going to be published soon.
Please send us your updated company profile by close of business
April 10, 2020
. Missing this due date, we will re-print your current profile in our new publication.
Looking forward to receiving your feedback!
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AmCham Vietnam Supports Local Business - AmCham 2020 Discount Partner Program
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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 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
We value and want to support our local businesses!
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9:00-10:30am. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
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.
Our discussion will be led by business guru and #1 best selling author Stephen Turban, whose writing and research on entrepreneurship, organization, and productivity has been published in Harvard Business Review, The Economist, BBC News, Freakonomics Radio, Washington Post, Bloomberg Press, PBS NewsHour, Inc, Quartz, Tech Republic, and the Times, among others.
Stephen will also be sharing insights about entrepreneurship in Vietnam… the challenges and the promise.
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8:30-10:30am.
Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
At Le & Tran, we strongly believe that all disputes must be resolved on the basis of the law, factual evidence and logical reasoning. The litigation and arbitration strategies and system of tactics and techniques we utilize are firmly grounded on this basis and always deliver a fair and equitable result which is reflective of the nature of the dispute. Le & Tran’s commitment to this philosophy has resulted in the establishment of a reputation for integrity and success.
With the assistance of AmCham Vietnam, Le & Tran has previously organized numerous seminars concerning litigation and arbitration which have been well-received by the business and legal community. For this event, we will not focus on any particular topic; instead, you are welcome to question or discuss (and even challenge) Mr. Stephen Le, our preeminent Trial Lawyer, regarding any legal question or solution you may have.
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6:00-7:00pm.
Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Join for AmCham Members Night with the U.S. Consulate General Team on Thursday, April 9 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.
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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 welcome other members. Contact
Ms. Sam Hoang
for more information.
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Only VND 10,000 /square meter for AmCham Members. Enhance your protection with
Rentokil Surface Sanitation Treatment.
An effective surface sanitation through Rentokil’s disinfection misting treatment has been proven to be
highly effective against major strains of viruses, bacteria and fungi, including airborne and viral diseases such as Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus, and over strain of bacteria including: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus subtilis (*), Candida albicans Mycobacterium
tuberculosis. Perform regular surface sanitisation services both indoors and outdoors to reduce disease-causing microorgansims and provides you with a peace of mind. Click
HERE for more details.
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Aetna International today announced it is waiving cost-sharing, co-pay and other deductibles for inpatient hospital admissions related to COVID-19, as part of several additional steps to help international medical insurance members access the care that they need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement builds on Aetna International’s recent efforts to expand patient access to consultations and medication through its virtual health offering, vHealth, which was made freely available to all members last week.
For more information, you can visit:
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Recently, the Commission for Mass Mobilization of Province with Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ben Tre province organized a Program to mobilize the people to take initiative in urgent measures to prevent and cope with saline intrusion in Ben Tre province. Here, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage Co., Ltd. donated 2000 5-liter Aquafina cases, equivalent to 40,000 liters of water, to support 4,000 poor households in Chau Thanh, Binh Dai and Truong District, Children with disabilities school of Ben Tre Province.
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Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only)
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4:00-5:30pm.
Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
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9:00-10:30am. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
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5:00-6:15pm. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
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.
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4:15- 6:30pm. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
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.
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9:00-10:00am. Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
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Let’s support local businesses - many now operating online or delivery/takeout only to promote social distancing.
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AmCham Premium Membership
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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.
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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.
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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
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