AmCham Vietnam Weekly Update - 27th Week of 2020 - July 4, 2020
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Executive Director Update
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Colleagues, Happy Fourth of July!! We were delighted to see many of you at the
AmCham's Independence Day Celebration and Community Picnic today, We hope you had a great time with your family, your friends, and your partners. Congratulations to our Raffle Prize Winners. You please pick up your prize at the AmCham office before July 31, 2020. Link to list of winners:
https://www.amchamvietnam.com/26th-annual-amcham-independence-day-raffle-prizes-winners/
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We hope you are continuing to enjoy our unique almost-normal environment and freedoms. Vietnam continues to receive global recognition for its effective management of the COVID-19 pandemic- now over 75 days without community spread! And Vietnam's most critically ill patient is now fully conscious, able to stand with help, and doctors expect will be able to walk normally in a couple of weeks. We hope you are now getting your regular healthcare checks, as well as getting out and supporting your local restaurants, and local shops, enjoying a staycation at a nearby hotel -- or visiting some of the other beautiful resorts and destinations in Vietnam!
Crowds are returning to airports and tourist destinations, so remember your masks and take appropriate safety precautions. I now travel everywhere with hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, and a small bottle of alcohol (not the drinking kind:). And try to avoid shaking hands. Now that we are getting out and about more, many of us are getting colds.
Meanwhile, AmCham Vietnam-HCMC continues to support you as Vietnam continues its economic recovery. We welcome your feedback at
team@amchamvietnam.com
to let us know how we can serve you better, including what topics you would like to see covered in upcoming events. A summary of recent actions is below:
1. Policy Recommendations.
AmCham Vietnam-HCMC continues to make an impact. Thanks to your feedback and recommendations, and expert advisers in our COVID19 Policy Task Force (Baker & McKenzie's Fred Burke, Nguyen Thuy Hang, Chung Yee, and Nguyen Thanh Vinh; AIM's Mark Gillin; Mayer Brown's Ursula Szotyory-Grove; and Vriens & Co's Sam Pursch) - as well as often Chair of AmCham Hanoi VBF and Legal Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai, we are providing timely, constructive recommendations to the Vietnamese government on both COVID-related and general trade and investment policies. We are currently finalizing a position paper to seek greater clarification and coordination of policies to facilitate arrival of foreigners in Vietnam and will hold a webinar Thursday, July 9, to share the current policies and procedures.
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 and is proud of the contributions toward this response made by our member companies. We are delighted to see Vietnam's response finally getting global recognition.
We are now working with Vietnam Fatherland Front and HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC) to schedule the Delivery Ceremony of a Realtime PCR analyzer hopefully next week to donate to the HCDC in managing its response to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. We very much appreciate the generous contributions from First Solar, Diag Labs, MSD, Cargill, Russin & Vecchi, and UPC Renewables.
We also are happy to highlight any COVID-related contributions from our member companies on our social media and with the U.S. Mission. Please email details to
Cindy Tran
.
3. Identifying companies that want to manufacture Personal Protective Equipment for export to the United States.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (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 in manufacturing and exporting PPE, please contact Frank Weiand at
fweiand@linksme.org
for more information.
4. Supporting Local Business.
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
. To our members, please make sure you support our Discount Partners, many of which also offer online shopping or delivery services. Click
HERE
for our Discount Partners information.
5. 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. Contact Office Manager
Cindy Tran
, who can ensure contributions are still welcomed and coordinate delivery. This effort will continue to be important, as Vietnam opens up to more international arrivals.
Please stay well, be safe, stay dry, and enjoy our new normal environment! And feel virtuous supporting local businesses by eating out or taking a vacation. Many of our member companies' wonderful hotels and resorts are offering special deals!!
Mary Tarnowka, Executive Director
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Stay Informed- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak
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AmCham Vietnam wants to provide a safe environment for events and business networking. We recognize that there is always a risk of a second outbreak, particularly if measures liberalize with respect to international arrivals. We also know that we all have different comfort levels with respect to the changing situation.
[LINK]
In response, AmCham has begun a rating system for all of our events, explained below. We hope this is useful to you in making your own decisions about which events in which you would like to participate. As always, we welcome your feedback at
team@amchamvietnam.com
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Some additional tips below from Dr. Mason Cobb, Vice-Chair, and Dr. Andy Meadows, of AmCham Healthcare Committee’s Medical Providers Subcommittee:
We just dodged a COVID-19 bullet here in Saigon and Vietnam. There were two cases this week which were initially tested as positive in the community. Fortunately, deeper testing showed that they did not have active disease, although further contact tracing and testing is ongoing. Both cases had come from overseas, where it is likely that they had contracted the disease with little or no symptoms and were not infectious when they arrived.
One of the confounders in this weird and complex disease is that 30% of people who are recovering uneventfully, still test positive. This is from virus fragments in the bloodstream as old, dead infected cells disintegrate. Thankfully, these people cannot spread the infection. However, further testing and contact tracing is required to be certain that no community spread could occur while the case is being analyzed.
Recently reported research suggests that SARS-COV-2 (virus that causes the disease COVID-19) has mutated and is now 10 times more infectious. Compared to the original virus from China to that seen more recently in Europe, UK, and Western Hemisphere, a notable change had occurred to one of the virus’ surface proteins. This seemingly small genetic change allows for SARS-CoV-2 to transmit much more efficiently. But it is not possible to connect this change to all the challenges currently seen in the West. While certainly a likely contributor, other factors such as demographic differences, underlying health conditions, and social behaviors have surely played a role as well.
All viruses and bacteria mutate over time as they infect humans and meet the immune system, or medications designed to eradicate them. It is Darwinian evolution in ultra-fast mode. HIV is a classic example of a virus that mutates easily when exposed to some medications. In previous years, the annual influenza virus also mutated as the season progressed, in some cases becoming worse and in other years less severe. As might have been expected, SARS-CoV-2 is now showing evidence of mutation.
Thankfully, there seems to be no change in disease severity, but one finding, that 1/3 of ICU cases in Texas are under the age of 40, is worrisome. Whether this is a change in the virus or other causes is not yet known.
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8:00-9:00am,
Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Event Level Rating: II
Fulbright University Vietnam (Fulbright) and the AmCham Education Committee will conduct a Skills Gap Webinar on July 6th to present the results of the Skills Gap Survey. AmCham members and education institutions will have the opportunity to discuss the implications of the report and explore potential initiatives to improve the skill sets of the future workforce. The webinar will kick-off a long running skills gap project by identifying initiatives which allow partners to work together in addressing these gaps.
The Skills Gap Survey was conducted by Fulbright University Vietnam (Fulbright) and the AmCham Education Committee to provide insight on whether companies are able to hire individuals with the most needed talents and skills. The Skills Gap Report identified several areas where collaboration between employers and universities would be helpful in eliminating skills gaps. You can access the report
HERE
.
The AmCham Education Committee and Fulbright are asking companies and schools to join the webinar and offer your suggestions on building this important link between industry and educators. Please register for the webinar to be held 8:00 to 9:00am on Monday July 6.
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3:00-4:00pm,
Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Travel of foreigners to Vietnam is now being allowed for foreign experts, investors, business managers, and highly skilled workers, and in certain cases, their family members. Join this Business Intelligence Briefing with AmCham Vice Chair and Baker & McKenzie Partner Hang Nguyen to learn more about current requirements and how to apply.
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8:30-10:30am, The Reverie Saigon, 22-36 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
Our seminar will help you to activate your understanding on:
- What are the conditions and critical issues concerning employment disputes?
- What are the common disputes related to salaries and bonuses?
- How are training expenses settled in case of termination?
- Are confidential information and non-disclosure agreements enforceable in Vietnam and which remedies can be applied in case of breach?
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11:30am-1:30pm.
Event Level Rating: II
Vietnam recently announced new rules designed to tax the digital economy and apply from 1 July 2020. These new rules include registration requirements for non-resident e-commerce businesses and withholding tax arrangements for financial institutions. These rules are globally unique and will have far reaching implications.
But how with these rules work in practice, and how will Vietnam’s financial institutions deal with these new rules?
Dean Rolfe a tax partner with KPMG Vietnam will share some observations on this matter including discussion on how these rules are likely to work in practice and some of the challenges that will be created through the implementation and adoption of these new requirements.
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5:30-8:00pm,
El Gaucho Da Nang, Unit G1-G4, Ground Floor, Indochina Riverside Mall, 74 Bach Dang St., Hai Chau 1 Ward, Hai Chau District, Da Nang
AmCham Vietnam - Da Nang will hold its first post-launch monthly informal networking event – AmCham Connect and Cocktails – at El Gaucho!
Please come to learn more about AmCham, meet fellow AmCham members, and other professionals in an informal after-work setting.
Please plan to join for a great night of networking and our essential Lucky Draw!!
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Evidence is always critical in litigation and it plays a large part in determining whether you will win or lose a case. However, coming from a common law country like the US, you may not be aware of how different the rules of evidence are in Vietnam. In this insight, we will outline some of the distinct rules of evidence in civil litigation in Vietnam, and how you can adapt your business practices to protect yourself and your organization.
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On 24 June 2020, British Ambassador to Vietnam Gareth Ward visited Shire Oak International in Ho Chi Minh City, a UK-based investor and developer of solar energy that is currently rolling-out 720 rooftop solar projects valued at USD $1.9 billion (VNĐ 44 trillion) across Vietnam.
Following their initial meeting, Ambassador Ward and his team visited one of Shire Oak International’s largest projects: interior design and construction company, BOHO Décor.
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CBRE Forum 2020 Vietnam
is our mid-year signature Real Estate event. The Forum updates highlights of Office, Retail, Hotel and Condominium markets in the first six months of the year and forecasts various scenarios of these markets in the next six months, providing useful information and discussing a roadmap for recovery post-COVID-19 for real estate businesses.
Besides, the attendees will have an opportunity to participate in the Q&A section to directly engage with leading experts/CEOs from 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗠 𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗; 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗬 and 𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔, providing a focused discussion on their business concerns.
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Language: Bilingual English - Vietnamese
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Format: Online webinar
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Registration link:
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Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only)
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4:00-5:00pm, Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Event Level Rating: II
- Introduction of CMFSC to new members
- CIC’s updates and initiatives around State equitization and the latest divestment opportunities.
- Q&A
- CMFS Committee Updates
- Others
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9:00-10:00am,
AmCham Vietnam HCMC, Suite 323, New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Event Level Rating: II
You can join us virtually or physically. For physical attendees, please register in advance to reserve your seat. For virtual attendees, please register to receive the Zoom link.
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9:00-10:30am, Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Event Level Rating: II
Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
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5:00-6:15pm,
Baker & McKenzie (Vietnam) Ltd, 12th Floor, Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan Street, Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
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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9:00-10:15am, Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Event Level Rating: IV
Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
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9:00-10:00am, Please register to get the link for virtual attendance.
Event Level Rating: II
Monthly meeting to discuss 2020 priorities.
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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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