AmCham Vietnam Weekly E-Newsletter -
4th Week of 2021 - January 31st, 2021
Update from AmCham Vietnam - Executive Director Mary Tarnowka
Dear Colleagues, 

I had a lovely but too short stay at the beautiful Anantara Hoi An resort, including a wonderful breakfast with cao lau – and chia pudding in an Amai bowl. And very attentive service by long-term Hoi An F&B pro Ms. Le. Hope to return soon!
 
As I write, Vietnam is in the final days of its 13th National Party Congress, selecting its Politburo and top positions. Current General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong was re-elected for an unprecedented third term as General Secretary, and the 18 members of the Politburo were announced. We should know more soon about other top positions. 
 
The process is a little slower in the United States. President Joe Biden has named almost all his top positions, but so far, only four have been confirmed by the Senate: Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary (Retired General) Lloyd Austin, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.
 
Last week, Vietnam received global recognition from Australian think tank Lowy Institute for its management of the COVID-19 pandemic, second only to New Zealand. It also received recognition as Asia’s top performing country during the COVID pandemic, with estimated 2020 GDP growth of 2.9%, exceeding even China’s 2.3%. Unfortunately, Vietnam also experienced its fourth outbreak of COVID, after 44 days without reported community spread, with outbreaks in Quang Ninh and Hai Duong provinces. Thankfully, the Vietnamese government once again has responded aggressively to try to control the virus before the Tet holidays (more information in our COVID section below).
 
Last week, we held our AmCham 101 orientation for new members, our January Connect & Cocktails, a Safe Recruitment in Education webinar, and committee meetings of our Logistics and Supply Chain, and Agriculture Committees. We also held a special strategy session with leadership of our Education Committee. And we held our Da Nang Board meeting, visited Universal Alloy Corporation in Da Nang’s High Tech Park, and held a mini Da Nang Connect & Cocktail (due to Da Nang COVID restrictions).
 
This week, we look forward to meetings of our Capital Markets and Financial Services Committee Monday, a leadership strategy meeting of our Logistics and Supply Chain Committee and a special Container Task Force meeting Tuesday, Education and Training Committee Wednesday, our HCMC Board of Governors meeting Thursday, followed by a strategy session of our Tourism and Hospitality Committee, and the January meeting of our Environment, Social, and Governance Committee.
 
We will also hold our first Chairman’s Circle event for 2021, a special VIP invite-only event, including members of our Boards of Governors, former chairs, and premium corporate sponsors (this time Diamond, Gold, and Silver) focused on “2021 U.S.-Vietnam Leadership Changes and the Impact on Your Business”. We kept the event small to enable a conversation with our panel of experts, and to allow peer networking at an elegant venue. Although we will follow Chatham House rules to enable a candid exchange of views, we will seek to share key takeaways in our next weekly e-newsletter.
Message from AmCham Vietnam - Da Nang Vice Chair Chris Vanloon 
Greetings from Da Nang! While a new COVID outbreak has delayed our plans to fully reboot 2021, I am happy to inform that our Da Nang Chapter held a very productive in-person and virtual Board meeting Friday in which we discussed a myriad of plans to strengthen our Chapter through many activities and workshops throughout the new year. We remain resolute in continuing our drive to promote our members’ concerns as well as contribute to the ongoing success of our city. Wishing everyone to stay safe and healthy as we lead up to the year of the buffalo!
 
We have tried to incorporate member feedback, including the desire for photos of me and Da Nang Vice Chair Chris Vanloon. We welcome additional feedback to improve our services (at team@amchamvietnam.com).
Advocacy
The Ministry of Science and Technology Office of Intellectual Property welcomed our initial comments regarding the draft IP Law and requested any additional comments by February 22. Our Advocacy Panel plans to draft additional input on the IP Law as well as comments on the new e-commerce regulation. Finally, we are meeting on Tuesday at 4PM in the AmCham office to discuss potential advocacy in response to the container shortage, including possible recommendations for action on the thousands of containers in Vietnamese ports now just parked, with plastic and steel scrap. If you have input on the first two issues, please share with advocacypanel@amchamvietnam.com. If you wish to join the Tuesday meeting in person or via zoom, please contact Events and Committees Manager Lily Nguyen at lily.nguyen@amchamvietnam.com.
Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only)
Recent Events
Last week, we welcomed about 25 new members to our AmCham 101 new member orientation. They learned about how to make the most of their AmCham membership, including opportunities for professional networking, business intelligence, advocacy, and business promotion, as well as member discounts, and social and charitable events and programs offered by AmCham Vietnam. Many also enjoyed our January Connect & Cocktails reception right after in the New World’s Modern Cantonese Black Vinegar Restaurant, where they had a chance to meet nearly 100 members of AmCham Vietnam. Thanks to all who joined our Connect & Cocktails, especially all our new members! We promise we will have a real photographer next time... Special thanks to our Prize Sponsors: New World Saigon Hotel, LAMY Vietnam, and Riverside Serviced Apartments.
 
Our January 27 AmCham Vietnam Logistics & Supply Chain Committee Meeting focused on Container Issues attracted more than 40 in-person and virtual participants. Co-Chair Geert Doorslaer from DTK Logistics Solutions gave an informative presentation about the current challenges, causes, partial workarounds, and prospects for improvement.
 
Our Education and Training Committee new Leadership Team held a productive strategy session mapping out draft 2021 Strategic Plans to share at the Feb 3 committee meeting. Later that day, Committee member SSIS held a webinar on safe recruitment in education, free to all AmCham members.
 
On Friday, our Agriculture Committee held its first 2021 Committee meeting, with a cross section of industry participants as well as representatives of the U.S. Mission Vietnam Foreign Agricultural Service and Animal Plant Health Inspection System focused on plans to address a wide range of regulatory market access issues, as well as a new U.S. agricultural product promotion campaign, to be launched in Vietnam March 4.
There has been amazing progress by Universal Alloy Corporation, a Montana HQ company producing aviation component parts for Spirit and Boeing, in Da Nang’s High Tech Park. This progress was possible with strong support from the Da Nang government, fellow AmCham member Dinco Construction, and partnerships with local colleges and universities, especially Da Nang University of Technology. UAC (less than 2 years after breaking ground in March 2019) now has over 500 employees and $117 million investment. There is room to spare as UAC gears up for its next phase, with more investment to come.
 
Many thanks to AmCham Vietnam- Da Nang Board Member and UACV General Director Liviu Lese and Director of Operations Ciprian Bota for the informative tour for fellow Da Nang Board members: Vice Chair and Indochina Riverside Towers General Director Chris Vanloon; Evergreen Labs Co-founder and CEO Kasia Weina; and KPMG Vietnam Managing Director, Strategy Group, National Head of Healthcare and Life Science Luke Treloar.
Finally, our AmCham Vietnam in Da Nang’s Board of Governors, led by Da Nang Vice Chair Chris Vanloon, held the first meeting of 2021 to discuss on the top goals for 2021 for our Da Nang Chapter. In addition, the Board identified the key advocacy issues, business intelligence programs, and social events in 2021. Watch out for a new Da Nang page on our website to highlight programs and activities of our Da Nang Chapter!
AmCham Vietnam-Da Nang held a mini Connect & Cocktails Friday evening. Many thanks to Vice Chair and Indochina Riverside Commercial Towers General Director Chris Vanloon for his generous sponsorship of what we had hoped to be our first 2021 Da Nang C&C. It was resized due to COVID restrictions to Board + families + close friends.
 
We look forward to having a real AmCham Vietnam-Da Nang Connect & Cocktails networking event for Amcham members and friends post Tet, in mid-March. Stay tuned for updates!!
COVID-19 Update from Healthcare Provider Subcommittee Chair Dr. Mason Cobb and Dr. Andrew Meadows
Once again, Vietnam is in the throes of a crisis with the pandemic.  There is an outbreak that has documented more cases in 48 hours than ever previously, with the highly transmissible UK variant virus the likely cause.  Various reports differ but as of 7am this morning, there were 221 documented new cases, mostly in the North, but also including cases in Hanoi and HCMC. 
 
The Vietnam government and its COVID Task Force is making every effort to control this before the Tet Holiday.  The Northern provinces most affected are being locked down and isolated.  The quarantine period is now 21 days and some 33,000 people are being isolated and quarantined.  Cases are being aggressively tracked and tested, F1 and F2 are being isolated and tested, as well.  However, the Task Force warns that a worst-case scenario could see 30,000 new cases.
 
Both Hanoi and Da Nang have banned social gatherings of 30 or more. So far, HCMC has not issued such guidance, but rather has sought to increase awareness and control measures, including inspections, while allowing most Tet activities to go forward. Additional measures have been imposed on medical facilities and educational institutions.
 
Everyone is requested to always mask and frequently wash hands hand or use sanitizers.  Stay distanced as much as possible, and avoid handshaking and hugging, as we have learned from previous outbreaks.  Limiting socializing and large gatherings is also recommended.
 
The fear is a lock-down that could be wide-spread or even nation-wide as the Tet Holiday looms.  This situation is changing rapidly, so make sure you follow the news and government regulations and recommendations. You may also want to check in again on the NCOVI app to stay current. This is likely to be very transmissible, so it is a race between the vaccine and the contagion.
 
Most mortal dangers eventually become logistical issues.  Now that COVID-19 is becoming more contagious and possibly more virulent, and three vaccines are available with more in the pipeline, the burning question is how, who, when do we get vaccinated? 
 
We are seeing vaccine production and distribution issues in Europe and USA where cold chain and distribution of most goods is well-established and efficient.  We have faith that these issues will get resolved soon.  But delivery and distribution will be formidable issues everywhere, including Viet Nam.
 
Israel offers a good template for delivery, although it is a small, well-developed country with less than a tenth of Viet Nam’s population. Israel purchased early at top-dollar while simultaneously planning and upgrading its cold supply and distribution chains. Israel planned delivery of the shots along with a widespread public communication campaign about the vaccine that included where and when to receive it. It did not prioritize by group thanks to sufficient supply, so masses could be vaccinated without wasted time or vaccine, in checking status, etc. Israel was the first country to vaccinate 20% of its population and most of the population will be vaccinated by April.
 
Vietnam has purchase agreements for 30 million doses of the Astra-Zeneca vaccine over the course of the year, beginning in March. This would cover 15 million vulnerable and front-line people. This Astra-Zeneca vaccine choice is good since it can be stored or transported for six months at 2-8 degrees C. Most provinces can handle this simple storage need. WHO has also allocated enough to vaccinate 16% of Viet Nam’s population. However, Viet Nam may be a victim of its own success, since the WHO prioritizes countries with the greatest need (i.e., most cases and deaths), putting Viet Nam at the end of the queue. 
 
Viet Nam has a long history of vaccinating, dealing with epidemics, and admirable public health practices.  However, it has never had the experience of vaccinating an entire population expeditiously. There is high turn-over in its extension vaccination programs, so Vietnam may need to rapidly train thousands of new workers, including making provisions for the rare life-threatening reaction to the vaccine. To achieve 76,000,000 fully-vaccinated people needed to curb an especially contagious variant, there will be expenses incurred in both purchase of the vaccine and the resources needed for a rapid, country-wide mass vaccination program.

The government is likely to strictly control and prioritize the vaccine. It is not known whether the private sector will be allowed to independently purchase or provide vaccine, as Singapore has done to more rapidly immunize its population.  It is likely that the vaccine will be offered to Vietnamese citizens first, so foreigners seeking the vaccine may have a long wait for local sources.
 
Even after receiving the vaccine or having had COVID-19, it is possible to continue to spread infection, as active virus may continue to reside in the upper airway.  So, masks will need to be worn until the disease has been controlled for some time. 

In the meantime, keep maximum precautions! The HCMC People’s Committee is encouraging safety measures like masks and frequent hand washing, but no defined restrictions on gatherings, such as Flower Market on Nguyen Hue Street, or a wedding, for example. This information is as of noon on January 31.
Sponsored News

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Seafood Madness Buffet
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including free-flow soft drinks, juices, beer, wine, cocktails
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including the above beverage package plus sparkling wine

Gathering with your beloved ones and experience the prosperity Tet by a phenomenal trip in Furama Resort Da Nang only from VND 2,250,000 net/room/night for 02 persons and VND 7,700,000 net/villa/night for a two-bedroom villa with a private pool at the Furama Villas Danang, includes complimentary usage of Fitness Center, Swimming Pools, Games Rooms, Kid Club, Sauna and Steam Bath and many other recreational activities.
  • Free daily breakfast
  • Free VND 800,000 net Food & Beverage Credit / Room / Night, and VND 1,000,000 net Food & Beverage Credit / Villa / Night
  • Free airport pick-up for a minimum 02-night stay 
  • Free airport pick-up and one-time Canapé platter to share with 02 soft drink/beer for 02 persons served for a minimum 03-night stay
  • 30% OFF on Spa service
  • Free late check-out until 18:00
The promotion applies to all domestic and international guests with booking period from now to 28th  February 2021 and staying period until 31st May 2021 with terms and conditions. The above rates include 5% Service Charge and 10% VAT. The surcharge will be applied to Tet holiday from 12th to 17th February 2021.

Applied to group requests staying until 30th June 2021 only from VND 1,500,000 ++/room/night for stays at the Furama Resort Danang and VND 6,500,000 ++/ villa/night for three bedrooms villa with private pool at the Furama Villas Danang including breakfast with conditions:
  • Minimum 10 rooms.
  • Minimum 01 meeting or 01 meal at the Furama Resort Danang.
30% OFF on current Half – day package meeting or Full – day package meeting with Food and Beverage package as:
  • Lunch at VND 465,000 ++/ guest, including 01 unit of mineral water of soft drink.
  • Private dinner at VND 1,000,000 ++/ guest with Lunar New Year Copper Tray set menu; or buffet menu within minimum 50 guest/ group, including free flow for 2 hours with soft drink/beer.
Especially, for every 15 guests with full payment, get a ½ complimentary room.
  • Group size from 10 paid rooms - 50 paid rooms: offer maximum 03 complimentary rooms.
  • Group size from 51 paid rooms - 100 paid rooms: offer maximum 05 complimentary rooms.
  • Group size above 101 paid rooms: offer maximum 06 complimentary rooms.

Ring in the Lunar New Year with a distinctive flavor in the food tray for the Tet holiday from Hanoi, Danang, and Saigon only from VND 499,000 net/person, including 01 soft drink/beer from 12th  to 17th February 2021, savor traditional Vietnamese culinary delights with our exquisite  “Lunar New Year Copper Tray” offering regional dishes such as Caramelized white prawns in fish sauce reduction, Shredded chicken Ram leaves salad, Malabar spinach, and minced shrimp broth, Sweet and sour fish broth... or traditional pickled cabbage, picked cassava melon...
Copper Tray will bring you back to Vietnamese mom’s kitchen!

Create beautiful memories with your loved ones and family as we welcome a bright new year of prosperity and good fortune.  Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! 

For inquiries and reservations, please call +84 235 8586 999 or email reservations@hoianahotelandsuites.com

Treat yourself and your beloved family to a magnificent dinner buffet at The Cliff resort to give each other best wishes and enjoy delicacies in the exciting space of music performances, dancing and games with several gifts.
Time: 18:30 - Feb 14, 2021 - Jan 3, Lunar calendar
Let's join us to make memorable moments with family on the first days of the year.
Contact us at reservation@thecliffresort.com.vn if you get more information.
Do You Know?
If you have already renewed for 2021, you should be receiving your membership card shortly. If you haven’t yet renewed or settled your payment, please do so soonest so you can keep enjoying the benefis of AmCham membership!
AmCham’s Member Discount Program supports local businesses that contribute to our quality of life, and also offers benefits to you, our members. Let’s support local businesses. If you have any questions regarding our program, please contact Membership Services Assistant Ruby Nguyen at membership@amchamvietnam.com
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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