Weekly eNewsletter
22nd Week of 2021 - June 6, 2021
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AmCham Vietnam’s Vision:
The most influential, strategic, and dynamic business association in Vietnam, that drives innovation and sustainable growth, and helps our members succeed. AmCham is a diverse and inclusive business association. We welcome American, Vietnamese, and international companies that share our interest in enabling a fair, transparent, predictable, and efficient regulatory environment that values innovation. A community you want to join!
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We hope you are social distancing and staying safe to control the latest outbreak. I have been mostly working from home, spending time with my daughter, and enjoying sunsets and my neighbor’s orchids. This purple and white one is incredibly fragrant in the morning! On rainy days like today, I enjoy tea in this beautiful tea set, a farewell gift as Consul General from HCMC leaders. |
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Upcoming Events:
We know the COVID-19 outbreak and vaccine access is a top concern for you and for all in Vietnam. AmCham Vietnam is partnering closely with both the Vietnamese government and U.S. Mission in Vietnam to address these concerns – including a virtual meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador Ha Kim Ngoc Friday night! We support the Vietnamese Government’s COVID-19 control efforts, including securing adequate quantities of proven vaccines, and facilitating equitable, transparent access and policies for our members to pay costs of vaccinating their employees and contribute toward costs of the general population.
We have advocated for the U.S. Government to consider Vietnam as a priority country for “vaccine diplomacy”, and are delighted that the White House announced on June 3rd that Vietnam will be among the priority countries in the first tranche of the U.S. Government’s global vaccine sharing.
Please save the date to join our complimentary Member-only COVID-19 Virus, Variants, and Vaccines: Virtual Business Intelligence Briefing on Wednesday, June 9, at 10AM to hear the latest updates on the public health situation, prospects for vaccines, results of our member survey on COVID-19 vaccines, and AmCham advocacy on your behalf. To be clear, AmCham has no secret stock of vaccines and is not taking orders at this time.
Please also join our June 10th 1:45PM Protecting Vietnamese Supply Chains Against COVID-19: Virtual Business Intelligence Briefing, featuring keynote speaker VCCI President Dr. Vu Tien Loc, and industry experts from lead industrial parks, ports, and logistics firms. Register now!
We look forward to welcoming members to our Energy Committee meeting on Tues, June 8th at 3PM, featuring U.S. Trade and Development Agency Country Representative Tuyet Trees, and our VBF & Legal Committee Meeting on Wed, June 10th at 5PM. Please also join our ESG Committee meeting on Th, June 11th at 4PM. It will feature Nestle’s Khuat Quang Hung on ESG and “Green Coffee” initiatives, as well as an update on plans for this year’s “Giving Thanks” Dinner and recognition of AmCham members’ innovative and impactful CSR programs and ESG initiatives. It will also be a chance to discuss possible AmCham initiatives to promote LGBTQ-inclusive policies, both during June Pride Month and throughout the year.
Recent Events and Developments:
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Partnering with the Vietnamese Embassy on Vaccines Plus: I was honored to meet (virtually) with Vietnam Ambassador to the U.S. Ha Kim Ngoc, together with Chair Chad Ovel, Vice Chairs Jahanzeb Khan and Uyen Hồ, and Board Member Hang Nguyen. We welcomed the White House announcement of Vietnam as a priority country for U.S. vaccines, and voiced AmCham support for GVN efforts to secure additional vaccines and ensure equitable access according to priority groups. We also discussed other areas to work together to strengthen the U.S.-Vietnam economic partnership: Enabling a Safe Reopening and Recovery; Building Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth; Developing a Globally Competitive Workforce; and Strengthening the Trade and Investment Relationship: Laying the Groundwork for an Eventual FTA.
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Skills Bridge Program for Entry-level Women Leaders: We were thrilled to see this Skills Bridge program for entry-level professional women come to fruition thanks to AmCham Women in Leadership Committee Vice Chair and TVL’s Linh Thai. And the team of other partners along the way, especially Tina Tran Neville, Colleen Fielkow, and Joanie Simon. AmCham Vietnam is excited to partner with TVL Group, the U.S. Consulate General - Ho Chi Minh City, and other partners and mentors on this important initiative!
Pharmacity a New Premium Corporate Member: We are delighted to welcome Pharmacity as a Premium Member at the Gold-level and value its support. We are also pleased to welcome Suntory PepsiCo to renew its Diamond-level membership, and Manulife and Truong Phat JSC at Silver-level membership. AmCham Premium membership offers the opportunity for qualified companies to highlight their status as business leaders and their strategic support for AmCham Vietnam’s mission and programs. Premium Membership offers a range of discounts, benefits, and exclusive access. Customized packages are available. To learn more, see LINK or contact Office Manager Cindy Tran at cindy.tran@amchamvietnam.com.
My daughter and I continue to “sacrifice” and order delivery to support local restaurants – both our “tried and true” favorites and some new ones. Do your part – please support the local businesses that contribute so much to our quality of life, but are hard hit by lockdown measures! Especially our AmCham Members and Discount partners!! LINK. And if you want to become an AmCham Discount Partner, please contact us at LINK. Order using the restaurants’ own app if they have; it helps them avoid paying high fees to delivery services.
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To support the HCMC People’s Committee’s new COVID-19 control measures, including the new social distancing restrictions in place on May 31, AmCham Vietnam is holding our meetings and events at a Level IV rating this week – all virtual. Please see https://bit.ly/ACEventRating for more information about AmCham’s COVID-19 event ratings. All members of the AmCham team are following a Work from Home (wfh) policy. Our team is still working hard to serve you. We regret our home wifi is not as strong as at the New World Hotel.
We welcome your feedback at team@amchamvietnam.com to let us know how we can serve you better. We wish you a safe and healthy week ahead! Mary
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Greetings from Da Nang and I hope you all are staying safe and are healthy! Happy to report that we are entering our 3rd week with no new community transmissions and the hope is that after 22 days, we will begin to see an ease of restrictions on movement and the slow and safe reopening of venues throughout the city. Congratulations to Hoi An which partially reopened last weekend for its restaurants with limited seating but as well as public beaches. We hope to follow this trend in our city soon as well. Stay healthy, stay alert and stay safe!
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COVID-19 Update from Healthcare Provider Subcommittee Chair
Dr. Mason Cobb and Andrew Meadows
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Vietnam’s fourth wave COVID-19 outbreak continues, mostly in northern Bac Giang and Bac Ninh provinces, with 8,682 cases and 53 deaths, 5562 cases and 18 deaths since April 27th. Vietnamese Government focus on vaccines has increased as it negotiates new commercial deals, seeks bilateral donations, and elicits private sector support, both through contributions to a government vaccine fund, and potentially through more direct private sector purchases.
For more information, LINK (to COVID page).
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Learn more about AmCham Vietnam’s COVID-19 related advocacy at our Member-only COVID-19 Virus, Variants, and Vaccines: Virtual Business Intelligence Briefing on Wednesday, June 9, at 10AM. Last week, we also submitted a position paper to the Customs Authority about concerns of our F&B Committee regarding a draft decree proposing regulations on quality and state inspection on food safety for imported commodities, following up on earlier advocacy. If you have interest in these or any other advocacy matters that require AmCham support, please contact relevant Committee leaders and/or advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com. More information on AmCham advocacy at LINK.
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Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only) |
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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.
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Virtual participation only. More details to follow. |
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Virtual participation only. |
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Virtual participation only. |
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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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