Dear AmCham,

Last week was another busy one for AmCham Vietnam HCMC, with a number of events reflecting Vietnam’s momentum in 2024 as well as our advocacy efforts on behalf of our members across a variety of themes. Here are the highlights:

• Healthcare Dialogue: On March 1, along with Ho Chi Minh City’s People Committee and the U.S. Consulate General, our Healthcare Committee hosted a Healthcare Dialogue to strengthen our partnership in promoting health and wellness in HCMC. Participants included HCMC Chairman Phan Van Mai, U.S. Consul General Susan Burns, HCMC Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc, our Vice Chair Michael Nguyen, and representatives from City Departments and our member companies. 

Central to the event was the introduction of our Healthcare Committee’s 2024 White Book titled “A Partner in Promoting Health and Wellness in Vietnam”. All participants expressed their enthusiasm for continued dialogue and collaboration to promote health and wellness in HCMC. See more event photos.

• PM's Conference on Securities Market Development: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led a conference on February 28th in Hanoi to discuss on the development of Vietnam's securities market in 2024. The conference saw the participation of key figures including Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc, leaders from various ministries, embassies, international financial institutions, banks, chambers of commerce, and businesses listed on the stock market. 

I had the honor of participating, emphasizing the importance of expeditious action and noting that an upgrade from Frontier Market to Emerging Market status will bring substantial incremental capital inflows to Vietnam. 

• Ministry of Planning & Investment (MPI) and Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) Conference on newly issued Resolution 02/NQ-CP related to reform and national competitiveness: Representatives from our Food & Beverage (F&B) Committee, including Uy Nguyen, Regulatory Affairs Director at Abbott Laboratories and member of the F&B Committee - Regulatory Task Force participated. Discussions centered on enhancing Vietnam's business environment and competitiveness, emphasizing the urgency of accelerating and effectively implementing business environment reforms.

• Vietnam Child Protection & Safeguarding Summit 2024: jointly organized by our Education and Training Committee, RMIT, and Saigon International School Networks on Feb 29, the event featured keynotes by Committee Co-Chair Kim Green, Head of School, International School Ho Chi Minh City and Vice Chair Catriona Moran, Head of School, Saigon South International School. Focused raising awareness, sharing best practices and fostering collaboration on child protection in Vietnam, the event attracted more than 300 participants. See more event pictures.

• New Year Celebration Cocktail Reception with AmCham's new Leadership hosted by Ambassador Knapper on Feb 28: Ambassador Marc Knapper held a reception on Thursday, February 28th for the 2024 Governors of AmCham of all Chapters. Officials of the Embassy joined the event.

Ambassador Knapper highlighted the significant opportunities for further cooperation on multiple dimensions between the US & Vietnam enabled by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. He expressed confidence in AmCham playing a strong role in facilitating trade and investment growth.

• February Connect & Cocktails: our standing monthly networking event held at Steersman Brewery in District 1 on Feb 28, brought together close to 100 professionals, including members, guests and non-members. Mark your calendars for this month's event on March 27th (details below). See more event pictures.

We welcome your feedback on how we can support you better. Please email us at team@amchamvietnam.com.

RamC

[Reuters] Vietnam's exports, factory output fall in Feb but Red Sea impact limited. Vietnam's exports and industrial production in February fell significantly from a year ago, government data showed on Thursday, with economists attributing the drop to the Lunar New Year long holiday rather than to the Red Sea shipping crisis.

[VIR] Vietnam woos $4.29 billion in FDI capital in first two months of 2024. An influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam offers positive signs for the economy, with $4.29 billion registered in the first two months of 2024.

[VOV] PM Chinh chairs conference on stock market development. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a conference to perform the task of developing the stock market in the year ahead, with the event jointly organized by the Ministry of Finance and the Government Office on February 28 in Hanoi.

[Reuters] Vietnam plans union reform to avert trade woes, risking foreign firms' unease. Communist-ruled Vietnam is expected to ratify this year the UN convention for the free establishment of trade unions, UN officials and diplomats said, in a move meant to cut risks of trade disputes but likely leaving some foreign companies uneasy.

[VOV] USABC to send largest-ever US business delegation to Vietnam. The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) will break its own record on the number of US businesses joining an annual delegation to Vietnam, even higher than the 51 firms joining the delegation in March last year, according to President & CEO of the council Ted Osius.



Have you renewed your AmCham Membership for 2024?

Please be on the lookout for 2024 Membership Renewal notices to renew promptly, and contact Membership Manager Sam Hoang if you don’t receive one. In the context of the recent U.S. and Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, your membership is more valuable as we have enhanced our Committees, Business Intelligence events, and Advocacy efforts, particularly for Premium members.

If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to become one and take advantage of our membership benefits! 

An AmCham Premium membership allows you to showcase your business as a leader in its field and strategically support AmCham Vietnam's mission and programs. With a Premium Membership, you gain access to a variety of benefits and exclusive VIP privileges. Tailored packages are also available to meet your specific needs. 

For further details, please visit the provided LINK or reach out to Office Manager Cindy Tran.

AmCham members are welcome to join, in-person or virtual

• Education & Training Committee Meeting, Wednesday, Mar 6 – 9:00am
• Capital Markets and Financial Services Committee Meeting, Monday, Mar 11 – 4:00pm
• Energy Committee Meeting, Tuesday, Mar 12 – 3:00pm
• Legal & VBF Liaison Committee Meeting, Wednesday, Mar 13 – 5:00pm
• Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee Meeting, Thursday, Mar 14 – 4:00pm
• Manufacturing Committee Meeting, Friday, Mar 15 - 9:00am
• Digital Economy & Technology Committee Meeting, Tuesday, Mar 19 - 9:00am
• Healthcare Committee Meeting, Wednesday, Mar 20 - 4:15pm
• HR Committee Meeting, Thursday, Mar 21 - 9:00am
• Tax & Customs Committee Meeting, Thursday, Mar 21 - 5:00pm
• Logistics & Supply Chain Committee Meeting, Wednesday, Mar 27 - 9:00am

We would like to extend our warmest welcome to our newest members. Thank you for your support!