AmCham Vietnam Weekly Update - 34th Week of 2020 - August 23, 2020 |
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Executive Director Update |
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Colleagues,
Recent and Upcoming Events
We are super-excited about the all-star lineup of speakers at our Business Summit on Tuesday, August 25. Don't miss participating, virtually or in-person - in this exclusive event!!
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Celebrate the 25-year anniversaries of U.S-Vietnam diplomatic relations and the HCMC-San Francisco Sister City relationship – and discuss opportunities for technology and innovation investments in HCMC that will drive partnership and innovation for the future.
Panels on Technology Supply Chains; Fintech for Vietnam and Beyond; and HCMC’s Smart Cities, Innovation District, and International Financial Center.
Register now to participate. Sponsorship opportunities still available for this high-profile event. Virtual and limited in-person participation available - first priority to speakers, government participants, and sponsors.
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VBI Fast Track: We were honored for AmCham Vietnam to partner with newly-established VBI Fast Track, together with member companies including Coca-Cola and Suntory Pepsi, to promote a fast-track, streamlined process for major, strategic, sustainable U.S. FDI projects in Vietnam. Many thanks to Ambassador Kritenbrink and Consul General Damour for joining the signing ceremony. https://vnexplorer.net/us-investment-inflow-into-vietnam-to-benefit-from-amcham-vietnam-vbi-fast-track-cooperation-ambassador-a202084249.html
AmCham Vietnam 2020 Directories Now In: AmCham Vietnam 2020 Membership directories have now arrived and will be delivered to you shortly. The directories offer information on member benefits, Chamber leadership, and team members, programs and activities, and a complete listing of the membership of AmCham Vietnam, including our Da Nang and Hanoi chapters. We hope the 2020 AmCham Vietnam Membership Directory will be a useful resource for you and your company. Alternatively, you can log into your membership account to access our Online Membership Directory, which is constantly updated with newly-joined members. The online directory allows you to email other members easily: http://amchamvietnam.chambermaster.com/login
Message from AmCham Vietnam- Da Nang Vice Chair Chris Vanloon: "Thanks to everyone who joined the virtual Da Nang connect and cocktails. I have to admit I was surprised and thankful to see so many people joining that event. It goes to show the strength and the resilience of our city members and that really proves what I have always known - that especially in Da Nang we are true pioneers and we understood before we came here that we would have to face adversity. Maybe not this much adversity. But we are tough and we know that we are stronger together than alone. So I want to thank you all for joining with us and I know that we will grow this chapter and our community and we will thrive together after this time has passed. Also, congratulations to Toni from Speak Up Vietnam who won 12 bottles of wine in our cocktail challenge! "
AmCham Donation of Patient Monitors to Da Nang Department of Health: Next Wednesday, Da Nang Fatherland Front and Department of Health will hold a delivery ceremony for AmCham's donation of five DST DS5000(A) Patient Monitors to support the Da Nang City government's work in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and managing its response to COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. We very much appreciate the generous contributions from Coca-Cola and NQ Medical that made this donation possible.
Urgent Appeal to Fight COVID-19 in Current Epicenter in Da Nang: At the request of the Da Nang Fatherland Front and Department of Health, AmCham has launched an urgent appeal for contributions towards medical device equipment to be used by the Da Nang Department of Health. The most urgent needs currently identified include a Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) control system with cost of about $58,000; or two Ventilators with cost of about $32,000 each. As with prior donations, our team will carry out extensive due diligence for the planned purchase and donation of these medical equipment. We are currently coordinating with the Fatherland Front and AmCham's Healthcare Medical Device Subcommittee to review the request and ensure we purchase the best available equipment at the lowest price, with a preference for a U.S. brand. We hope you will be able to contribute to this important cause, whether or not your company has operations in Da Nang since it could affect us all. Please feel free to contact me or Office Manager Cindy Tran for additional information.
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We are looking to expand our Executive Team in HCMC to include an engaging and talented person as its Advocacy & Communications Manager. This newly-created role reflects our growing membership and desired investment to make AmCham Vietnam the most strategic, influential, and dynamic business association in Vietnam that drives innovation and helps its member companies succeed in Vietnam. Check out our Recruitment Notice and Job Description in this LINK. If interested, please send your CV and cover letter to hr@amchamvietnam.com. The deadline for application is extended COB on Monday, August 24, 2020. Please share the recruitment notice with others in your network you think might be good candidates!
Register to Vote and Make Your Vote Count!
Join us at a Virtual Meeting on August 27 with U.S. Consulate American Citizens Services staff who can help you register to vote in the November Presidential elections and help ensure your vote counts. Information is also available online! https://vn.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/voting/
Please stay well and be safe. We welcome your feedback at team@amchamvietnam.com to let us know how we can serve you better.
Mary Tarnowka, Executive Director
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Stay Informed- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak |
AmCham Vietnam wants to provide a safe environment for events and business networking. We recognized that there was always a risk of a second outbreak, and it looks like we are experiencing it now. We also know that we all have different comfort levels with respect to the changing situation. https://www.amchamvietnam.com/amcham-event-level-rating/
In response, AmCham has a rating system for all of our events, explained below. We recently modified our Level III criteria to align with HCMC guidelines. We hope the rating system 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 Vietnam’s campaign to control the outbreak in the Central region continues to yield positive trends. Positive cases continue, but not at the same high rate as just a few short weeks ago, with 1014 total cases and 26 deaths. Unfortunately, some cases and smaller outbreaks have been identified outside the epicenter. The steering committee and PM predict that full control can be achieved around the end of the month.
However, there have been varying smaller outbreaks in several other locales, mostly in the Central and Northern regions. Most appear to all be related to the outbreak in Da Nang, but there is at least one case out of the 12 new cases in Hanoi where a clear connection back to Da Nang has not yet been detected, raising concerns that there may be community spread. This concern is exacerbated since there were still estimated to be 18,000 people who had traveled to Da Nang in July and returned to Hanoi without being tested as of August 19.
After a standard closure of bars and clubs and banning of large gatherings on August 1, on August 19, new social distancing requirements were announced for restaurants and food stalls (2 of 3 latest cases in Da Nang were at open food markets). As of August 21, Hanoi closed the Old Quarter and walking streets, and announced plans to increase testing. Hanoi also made a startling move, closing three hospitals that upon inspection did not offer adequate COVID-19 safety precautions. Since many of the Da Nang cases originated at hospitals, this signifies an important step. More systemic adherence to health and safety protocols at hospitals throughout Vietnam will make a major contribution to stemming future outbreaks.
Hai Duong in the North with 17 cases is the 2nd major hotspot and is undergoing stringent precautions. All affected areas and some without cases are mounting differing levels of stringency in their response, regarding enhancing quarantining, testing, and tracking of cases. This helps to address both the unique local conditions for control as well as keeping the economy as open as possible.
On August 18, Ho Chi Minh City announced that it will categorize all individuals who recently returned from Hanoi, Hai Duong, Bac Giang, Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Quang Ngai into four groups and apply different levels of health monitoring for each group for at least 14 days, including COVID-19 testing, self-quarantine, or centralized quarantine. So even travel within the country beyond the Central region can result in being subject to quarantine. https://vn.usembassy.gov/covid-19-related-quarantine-requirements-and-travel-restrictions/
This outbreak mirrors other Asia-Pacific nations. South Korea is currently experiencing its highest daily case counts since March. New Zealand had an outbreak after more than 100 days without a community transmission. Other regional countries are also facing resurgences. The lesson is that this is an extremely contagious and deeply challenging infection for our region and the world.
While the definitive causes for the recent regional outbreaks are unknown, growing concern over “lockdown fatigue” in some places is affecting public compliance, thereby increasing the risk of outbreaks.
Many young people, less likely to contract serious disease, have gone back to social life with its dangers. This week the WHO warned that the spread of SARS-CoV-2 is increasingly driven by people in the 20-40 age group. Others are also finding that school children may be significant disease vectors. WHO's Regional Director for the Western Pacific stated, “Because many people from this age range are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of COVID-19, they unknowingly pass on the virus to others. This increases the risk of spillovers to the most vulnerable, the elderly, the sick in long-term care, people who live in densely populated urban areas and underserved rural areas." This underscores the importance for everyone to practice responsible behaviors during this pandemic.
The global struggle against COVID-19 will continue for the near future, both here in Vietnam and around the world. While it will surely impact health and economies, the evidence continues to mount for a path towards emergence from this fight. Continued adherence to guidelines along with rapid technological advances will get us through.
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8:00-12:00 pm, InterContinental Saigon, Corner of Hai Ba Trung & Le Duan Blvd., Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: II
Join this exclusive event with Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Dr. Nguyen Thien Nhan, People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Thanh Phong, U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kritenbrink, Consul General Marie Damour, and senior U.S. and Vietnamese tech business leaders from HCMC, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Singapore.
Celebrate the 25-year anniversaries of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam and of Ho Chi Minh City’s sister-city relationship with San Francisco — and discuss opportunities for technology and innovation investments in HCMC that will drive partnership and innovation for the future!
Panels on opportunities to invest in Technology Supply Chains; Fintech for Vietnam and Beyond; and HCMC’s Smart Cities, Innovation District, and International Financial Center.
Learn from U.S. technology investors about their experience and interest in developing local supply chains and partnerships. Learn from HCMC authorities about HCMC technology and innovation strategic plans and policies to welcome foreign investors, and from USG authorities about new programs to support U.S. technology exports and investment under the Indo Pacific Policy, through the Trade and Development Agency, Development Finance Corporation, and EximBank.
Participation will be available virtually, with limited in-person participation with appropriate social distancing protocols. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided both in English and Vietnamese.
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8:45-10:30 am, Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Event Level Rating: IV
The Transfer Pricing (“TP”) decision made by businesses must be strongly affected by many changes in Government’s policies due to the impact of COVID-19, especially the release of amended Decree 68/2020/ND/CP. To provide enterprises with effective TP strategy amidst the risk of pandemic, RSM Vietnam would like to brief on the latest situation, offer as much clarity as possible on navigating decision related to TP and there will also be a Q&A session.
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4:00-5:00 pm, New World Hotel Saigon, Garden 1 on the 1st Floor, 76 Le Lai St., Dist. 1
Event Level Rating: III
We would like to invite you to join Hybrid Virtual AmCham 101 – New Member Orientation.
At this new members event, you will learn more from our Executive Director, Mary Tarnowka, about AmCham Vietnam benefits, our mission, and programs to help new members achieve success, and how to get involved in and maximize your investment in AmCham membership. It is also a way to meet other new AmCham Vietnam HCMC members. While this event is designed for new members, we welcome other members on a space available basis. If you can not join this meeting physically, you can still register to join virtually via Zoom.
Meeting is limited to max. 28 persons in-person.
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6:00-7:00 pm, Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Event Level Rating: IV
Due to the requirement by the Vietnam Government for social distancing, we have decided to postpone our Connect & Cocktails event scheduled on August 27 until September 23. Please save the date to join with us.
On Thursday, August 27 from 6:00 – 7:00pm, we have arranged a Virtual Meeting with the U.S. Consulate American Citizen Services Team who will share with you and American citizens more information on how to register to vote as well as to answer any questions you may have about voting and election procedures.
No-cost to attend this meeting.
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We would like to share with you the Booklet of “Employment Dispute Resolution in Vietnam”. If your company is involved in an employment dispute, this Booklet will likely provide a helpful quick reference and starting point to explore your legal options. If your company has not yet been involved in an employment dispute, this Booklet will serve as a useful resource for anticipating future issues and mapping out protective measures on behalf of your company.
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Crafted by our talented pastry chefs, these mooncakes are a reflection of Vietnamese traditions that harmonize with modernity.
Our sets are available in single, 4-piece and 9-piece gift boxes with the flavors of your choice.
Each of our artisanal Mooncakes are made daily, to ensure optimal freshness. They come in four unique and original flavors that blend the finest and freshest Vietnamese natural ingredients with our award-winning chocolate.
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Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only) |
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8:30-9:45 am, AmCham Office, Room 323, New World Hotel
Event Level Rating: III
Agenda to follow
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4:00-5:30 pm, Sunwah Tower, 6th Floor, Sunwah Corner Corporate Café, 115 Nguyen Hue Blvd., Dist. 1, HCMC
Event Level Rating: III
The meeting will also be available via Zoom, but we would encourage you join the live meeting.
Guest Speaker: Mr. Brandon Megorden, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)
Topic: USTDA in Vietnam: supporting early stage development for major infrastructure projects in the energy, ICT, transport, healthcare and agribusiness sectors
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9:00-10:30 am, AmCham Office, Room 323, New World Hotel Saigon
Event Level Rating: III
Agenda to be provided.
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3:30-4:30 pm, Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Event Level Rating: III
Agenda to follow
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5:00 pm - 6:15 pm, Baker & McKenzie (Vietnam) Ltd, 12th Floor, Saigon Tower, 29 Le Duan Street, D.1
Event Level Rating: III
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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8:30 am - 10:00 am, Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Event Level Rating: IV
Agenda to follow
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9:00-10:00 am, Please register to receive the Zoom link.
Event Level Rating: IV
Agenda to follow
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AmCham Premium Membership |
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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