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Dear ,

I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! Even though there was a holiday break, there was certainly a lot of activity going on. 

On April 30, Ho Chi Minh City launched a major new wave of infrastructure and urban development, breaking ground on four large-scale projects and approving the $5 billion Can Gio International Transshipment Port. These developments reflect the city’s ambition to build a modern, globally competitive megacity while improving connectivity, governance, and quality of life.

The projects include:

• A Central Square and Administrative Center in Thu Thiem, covering nearly 47 hectares and designed as a new civic and administrative hub with public spaces, cultural venues, and government offices.
• The Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Thu Thiem), a 6-kilometer underground line with six stations, connecting the existing city center to Thu Thiem and linking to broader transport networks, including Long Thanh Airport.
• An International University Urban Area, a large-scale integrated development combining education, research, and residential zones to support innovation and workforce development.
• The renovation of the Ho Chi Minh Museum (Nha Rong Wharf), aimed at preserving a key historical site while upgrading surrounding public and riverfront spaces.

Together, these initiatives are expected to strengthen urban mobility, support a multi-center city model, and reinforce Ho Chi Minh City’s role as a regional economic hub. The projects also highlight the growing role of the private sector, with major Vietnamese conglomerates leading implementation through public-private partnership models, reflecting continued improvements in governance and project execution.

At the same time, developments on the international trade front highlight the importance of a strong and predictable regulatory environment to support this next phase of growth. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has released its 2026 Special 301 Report assessing global intellectual property (IP) protection and enforcement, with Vietnam drawing particular attention.

Vietnam has been designated a “Priority Foreign Country” (PFC), the most serious classification under the report and the only country to receive this designation in 2026. This signals significant U.S. concerns regarding IP protection and enforcement. USTR will decide within 30 days whether to initiate a Section 301 investigation, which could lead to consultations and potential trade actions if the issues are not resolved. Globally, six countries were placed on the Priority Watch List, while 19 trading partners, including the European Union, Canada, and Thailand, remain on the Watch List.

For businesses, Vietnam’s designation represents a notable escalation in U.S. trade scrutiny, particularly in IP-intensive sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and the digital economy. It also underscores the importance of continued regulatory reforms as Vietnam seeks to strengthen its position as a destination for innovation and high-value investment. AmCham will keep you updated on next steps from the government. 

Finally, on May 11, we will have the next meeting of the HCMC Chapter of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). I am delighted to inform you that I will serve as the Co-Chair of the organization, along with Regional Security Officer Jerry Aylward at the U.S. Consulate. OSAC offers free benefits, including professional networking, expert security analysis, and real-time connectivity via OSAC.gov and a private WhatsApp group. Interested participants (must be AmCham members) should RSVP by May 7, 2026, to HCMCRSOOSAC@state.gov with their name, organization, email, and WhatsApp number.

Yours sincerely,

Travis Mitchell

Executive Director

Members are encouraged to bring forward any advocacy needs or related questions to the relevant Committees, or by email to advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com.

Similarly, we invite members experiencing instances of administrative delays and challenges to share details via email to communications@amchamvietnam.com. We are compiling this information on behalf of our members.

Members are welcome to join, in-person or virtually:

• Education & Training Committee Meeting, May 6, 2026 – 9:00 am - 10:00 am
• Capital Markets and Financial Services Committee (CMFSC) Meeting, May 11, 2026 – 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Legal & VBF Liaison Committee Meeting, May 13, 2026 – 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• HR Committee Meeting, May 21, 2026 – 9:00 am - 10:00 am
• Tourism & Hospitality Committee Meeting, May 21, 2026 – 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• Tax & Customs Committee Meeting, May 21, 2026 – 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Make the Most of Your AmCham Membership!

AmCham members are encouraged to take full advantage of the exclusive discounts and special offers available through the AmCham Membership Discount Program. Simply present your AmCham Membership Card to enjoy valuable deals from our trusted Discount Partners. You can view the complete list of offers here.

Interested in Becoming a Discount Partner?

We welcome companies looking to join the program and promote their products or services to a dynamic network of over 2,000 business professionals representing more than 550 corporate members. It’s a great opportunity to boost visibility and attract new customers.

To become a Discount Partner, please complete this Form or contact us at amcham.membership@amchamvietnam.com for more details.

[Reuters] Asia finance leaders say they are ready to act to stem volatility risks. Finance leaders of China, Japan, South Korea and the ASEAN group of 10 Southeast ​Asian states said on Sunday they would ‌pay attention to risks stemming from excessive volatility in financial markets and stand ready to act if needed.

[Reuters] US names Vietnam as top concern country in intellectual property rights report. The U.S. Trade Representative's office identified Vietnam as a top concern or "Priority Foreign Country" ​on intellectual property rights in an annual report released on ‌Thursday, raising the prospect of a new trade probe into the Asian nation.

[Bloomberg] Vietnam Inflation Quickens as Iran War Raises Energy Costs. Vietnam’s inflation picked up more than expected in April, as a surge in global energy prices driven by the Iran war began feeding through to transport and input costs.

[Vietnam Briefing] Vietnam Revises Tax Framework: Key Changes to PIT, VAT, CIT, and SCT. Vietnam amends major tax laws covering PIT, VAT, CIT, and SCT. Learn key changes and what businesses must do to stay compliant.

[Việt Nam News] Infrastructure, digitalisation and policy drive Việt Nam’s logistics push. Việt Nam is ramping up infrastructure, digitalisation and policy reforms to strengthen logistics resilience amid global trade disruptions.

[Dan Tri] Vietnam records trade deficit of more than USD 7 billion this year. Vietnam posted a trade deficit of USD 7.11 billion over the past four months, driven by imports of production inputs and consumer goods.

[VnEconomy] FDI into Vietnam surpasses $18 bln in first four months. Among the 53 countries and territories with newly licensed investment projects in Vietnam during this period, Singapore was the largest investor with $6.05 billion, accounting for 49.8% of the total new registered capital.

[VnEconomy] Vietnam's total trade hits over $344 billion in 4M. Exports valued at $168.53 billion, up 19.7% year-on-year.

[VnEconomy] Vietnam sees sharp rise in new and resuming businesses during Jan-April 2026. Notably, the accommodation and food services sector saw a boom in confidence, with new establishments skyrocketing by 121.3%…

[Vietnam Economic News] Removing bottlenecks to unlock economic growth momentum. Vietnam maintains strong economic growth but faces structural bottlenecks in productivity, technology and sustainability, requiring reforms to improve quality today.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam

in Ho Chi Minh City

New World Hotel Suite 323

76 Le Lai Street, Ben Thanh Ward

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Phone: +84 28 3824 3562