AmCham Vietnam Weekly eNewsletter - 10th Week of 2022

Weekly eNewsletter

10th Week of 2022 - March 8, 2022

AmCham Vietnam’s Vision:

The most influential, strategic, and dynamic business association in Vietnam, that drives innovation and sustainable growth, and helps our members succeed. AmCham is a diverse and inclusive business association. We welcome American, Vietnamese, and international companies that share our interest in enabling a fair, transparent, predictable, and efficient regulatory environment that values innovation. A community you want to join!

www.amchamvietnam.com

Dear ,

It has been a rough weekend/start to the week. First, my showerhead exploded, then there was a snake in the laundry, and finally my wifi kept going out, preventing our weekly report from going out on Monday. But my dog was innocent and did not eat my homework; he just woke me up from a brief nap…

We wish you all a Happy International Women’s Day! As noted, we at AmCham Vietnam celebrate Women in Leadership on International Women’s Day and Everyday!!

March 8 Champions of Diversity and Inclusion: Panel Pledge. In commemoration of International Women’s Day, AmCham held our first meet-up of an inter-chamber network of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) champions and allies at the Reverie Saigon on March 8 from 4:00--7:30PM. This event was coordinated with and co-hosted by an informal coalition of chambers dedicated to advancing DEI, including AmCham, AusCham, BritCham, CanCham, and EuroCham. Consuls General, influential business leaders, and key chambers joined forces for an inspiration and insightful event .

March 18 Impact of Russian Invasion of Ukraine on U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy: an AAP Virtual Doorknock. The Russian invasion of Ukraine will have major consequences on the world and the Indo-Pacific Region, including Vietnam. There are many Vietnamese nationals resident in Ukraine, and there will be clear impacts on tourism as well as energy and other commodity prices. Join this discussion to hear more from a U.S. national security expert about the likely impact of the invasion on the region, including how it may play out regarding China’s own ambitions.

March 19 AmCham Spring Ball - THE SECRET GARDEN at the Park Hyatt Saigon - Save the Date/Managing Expectations. We are trying to make up for missed opportunities in 2021 by holding two balls in 2022. Both will be charity balls to fund our scholarship programs, in addition to direct corporate sponsorship. To differentiate between our Spring Ball and our December Governors Ball, we are holding the Spring Ball in a different venue, the Park Hyatt rather than the InterContinental Saigon. The Park Hyatt venue, however, is a much smaller and more intimate venue. We will only be able to have 220 guests vs our normal 400+ for the Governors Ball at the InterContinental Saigon. As a result, we have very limited seats available. We have offered first priority to our corporate sponsors, especially those who had reserved tables in 2021, as well as members of our Board of Governors. We hope to at least have a few left for members - if you are interested, please contact us now at events@amchamvietnam.com.

Welcome Dinner for Ambassador Marc Knapper: AmCham Vietnam was honored to host U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and his wife Mrs. Suzuku Knapper for a March 3rd Chair’s Circle Reception and Welcome Dinner. We look forward to partnering with Ambassador Knapper to take the U.S.-Vietnam economic partnership to new and more strategic heights!

APEC and the Indo-Pacific Strategy: a Virtual Doorknock. On March 1, several AmCham Vietnam members joined AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Chair and McLarty Associates Senior Advisor Steve Okun, together with U.S Senior Official for APEC Matt Murray and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Mainland Southeast Asia Affairs Melissa Brown for a discussion of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, plans for a U.S-Southeast Asia Summit, and U.S. plans for hosting APEC 2023. This was the first of what we hope will be a series of virtual doorknocks that AAP plans to conduct. It is clear that despite the invasion of Ukraine, the United States continues to place a great emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region. The U.S. plans to participate in many Asia-related engagements, including: 1) U.S.-ASEAN Summit (in-person in Washington, D.C. later this month); 2) Ocean Conference (in-person in Palau in mid-April); 3) a series of major summits in November (APEC, U.S.-ASEAN Summit, East Asia Summit, G20; and 4) the U.S. is beginning to prepare to host APEC 2023. More soon, particularly as we learn more about the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework!

Upcoming Committee Leadership Opportunities and Meetings

Committee Meetings. We are delighted to welcome members to join our Legal & VBF Liaison Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 9 at 5PM, and Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee Meeting on Thursday, March 10 at 4PM.

Leadership Opportunities. Many committees are now soliciting interest from potential candidates interested in serving in leadership positions. Elections for most committees will take place in February or March if they haven’t already. If you are interested in serving in a leadership role, please contact existing Committee leaders, Board Liaisons, or Events and Committees Manager Lily Nguyen at lily.nguyen@amchamvietnam.com. While several committees have canceled early January meetings for the holidays, Committee meetings that take place are now open to both in-person (for fully-vaxed) and virtual participation. Please register in advance. All AmCham Vietnam members are welcome to join.

AmCham Membership Renewal. For many of you, it's time to renew your membership for 2022 and continue your involvement in AmCham, with opportunities for professional networking, business intelligence, advocacy to improve the business environment, and promotion of your business. We have been sending out 2022 Membership Renewal notices via email. We hope you all will renew promptly and that many will consider upgrading to become Premium Members! If you haven’t yet received your renewal notice, please contact Membership Manager Sam Hoang.

Sunny World Investment and Development Corporation a New Premium Corporate Member: We are delighted to welcome Sunny World Investment and Development Corporation as a Premium Member at the Diamond-level and value its support. AmCham Premium membership offers the opportunity for qualified companies to highlight your status as business leaders and your strategic support for AmCham Vietnam’s mission and programs. Premium Membership offers a range of benefits, and exclusive VIP access. Customized packages are available. To learn more, see LINK or contact Office Manager Cindy Tran.

Thank you for your continued support – let us know how we can do better at team@amchamvietnam.com! Regards, Mary

Greetings from sunny Da Nang and I hope you are all well! It was an honor to meet our new Ambassador Mr. Marc Knapper last week in Saigon and we do look forward to welcoming him and his wife to Da Nang next month!

Am happy to update that we have just confirmed our next AmCham Da Nang Connect & Cocktails at Escobeach - 12 Vo Nguyen Giap Street on Friday the 18^th of March from 6 pm onwards. This event is graciously being sponsored in part by both Escobeach and Red Apron. There will be a huge buffet and as always free flow of wines. This time however we will be on the terrace overlooking the beach and will also include a live DJ and a fire performance. So, not only a great event to make new connections or catch up with existing friends, but also a true event for everyone who joins!

AmCham members are free to attend and non-members will need to pay a nominal 200,000 vnd. Same terms apply to all members from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Hope to see you all there!

COVID-19 Update from Healthcare Provider Subcommittee Chair

Dr. Mason Cobb and Andrew Meadows

The Kids are All Right

For more information, LINK (to COVID page).

Advocacy

Vietnam Business Forum: Key Outcomes and Outlook:the Inside Story, on March 1, co-organized by AmCham and EuroCham with other VBF Consortium members, provided key takeaways from the Technical Session and this year’s High-level Meeting with Prime Minister Chinh to the HCMC business community. LINK to VBF page on website

Key takeaways:

Digital Transformation and Green Transition were key themes;

The new 2-day format worked;

The PM was actively engaged for more than 4 hours;

His messages focused on 3 priority areas: 1) administrative reforms; 2) workforce development; and 3) strategic infrastructure;

The VBF still is a powerful tool for advocacy by the FDI community;

It could be even more effective if its advocacy can become more nimble; and

Work on the 2022 VBF is already beginning;Also, please join our VBF and Legal Committee meeting on Wednesday for additional details!

Last Thursday, members of our Chair's Circle, led by Vice Chair Jahanzeb Khan, had an opportunity to discuss some key cross-cutting trade and investment priorities with Ambassador Marc Knapper, prior to our dinner. A summary of these issue is attached. LINK. We welcome your feedback on these and other issues to ensure we are aware of your top concerns.

This report and prior Advocacy Reports are available on AmCham’s Advocacy page. LINK. Please send your feedback on what is working, what issues remain, and recommended solutions to relevant Committee Chairs, advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com

Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members only)

March 9: Legal & VBF Liaison Committee Meeting

March 10: Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee Meeting

Key Media Updates

Stay informed about key developments affecting your business by checking frequently – updated regularly on weekdays. On weekends, stay informed and connected through AmCham’s Facebook, Linked IN, and Instagram. LINK to our Key Media Updates.