AmCham Vietnam Weekly eNewsletter - 16th Week of 2022

Weekly eNewsletter

16th Week of 2022 - April 19, 2022

AmCham Vietnam’s Vision:

We strive to continue to be the most influential, strategic, and dynamic business association in Vietnam.

AmCham welcomes American, Vietnamese, and international companies that share our interest in enabling a fair, transparent, predictable, and efficient regulatory environment that values innovation.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as environment, social, and governance values and aim to be a community you want to join.

www.amchamvietnam.com

Dear ,

Cultural Heritage and Cuisine in Huế. I hope you enjoyed the weekend, whether you celebrated Easter, Passover, Ramadan, or just enjoyed the spring weather. I took a quick trip to one of my favorite cities in Vietnam, Huế, for the opening of a beautiful new private museum. The Huong River Antique Pottery Museum, Bảo tàng gốm cổ sông Hương, was founded by Professor Thái Kim Lan in her historic family residence on the banks of the Huong River, featuring ancient pottery she and her brother recovered from the river, some of it more than 2000 years old. Professor Kim Lan, the museum and gardens, traditional music played by Xuan Hoach, an ao dai fashion show, and delicious Huế delicacies, including from many traditional street vendors, all were featured, highlighting Huế’s rich cultural heritage. I think I tried every dish, including many of Huế’s famous banh, and still managed to squeeze in one last bowl of Bun Bo Huế en route to the airport.

Vietnam is back in overdrive with many visitors and events. Just last week, HCMC hosted an Investment Promotion Conference for Hoc Mon and Cu Chi Districts, where Cu Chi-based First Solar Managing Director KJ Ung met President Phuc and invited him for a visit, HAWA and USAID-sponsored Furniture Matching Week, and HCMC Economic Forum 2022, focused on ”Digital Economy: Driving Force for the Future Growth of Ho Chi Minh City”. And we know many of you are hosting VIP visits from your corporate regional and global head offices! I am happy to meet with them and share my perspective and/or our team is available to help arrange briefings or meetings with others when they visit.

US-ASEAN Summit now scheduled for May 12-13 in Washington, DC. President Biden will host ASEAN leaders in Washington DC in a Special Summit to demonstrate U.S. enduring commitment to the ASEAN region and the common commitment to advance an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, secure, connected, and resilient. Prime Minister Nguyen Pham Minh Chinh is expected to lead the Vietnamese delegation to attend the summit and have other meetings in the United States to strengthen the bilateral comprehensive partnership.

Upcoming and Recent Events.

Don’t miss all our upcoming events, particularly the Apr 22-24 Weekend in Da Nang, April 26 Networking with Purpose Women in Leadership Discussion and Mixer at MAD Wine Bar, and our April 27 Connect & Cocktails at Heart of Darkness. And register now for our Cinco de Mayo celebration at District Federal (on May 7…)

April 22-24 Da Nang AmCham-U.S. Mission Leadership Weekend. If your schedule allows, don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to expand your professional and personal networks and contribute to AmCham/U.S. Mission strategic economic priorities. If you have business operations in Da Nang, and wish to share any opportunities or challenges, please advise us soonest for a meeting we will have with the Da Nang People’s Committee on Friday, April 22. Join a Saturday strategy session with senior U.S. Mission leadership in Vietnam, including the Ambassador, DCM, Consul General and section chiefs from the economic, commercial, agricultural and USAID sections from the Embassy and Consulate, as well as AmCham colleagues from throughout the country. There will also be time to meet informally at a reception featuring U.S. food and wine Friday evening, a gala dinner on the beach Saturday, and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, beaches, and golf courses of Da Nang, and cultural heritage of Hoi An. Spouses, partners, and family members welcome!! Register now!! LINK

Advancing the Growth of Women-Led SMEs in Vietnam: a Gender Lens in Policy and Investment. AmCham was honored to partner with Australian AID, Investing In Women, AVPN and Australian Chamber of Commerce Vietnam to support “Advancing the Growth of Women-led SMEs in Vietnam: a Gender Lens in Policy & Investment”.

Access to finance was a key challenge as was the fact that many women still carry a larger share of household and childcare burdens. But as we heard, the research shows women-led businesses are more successful and profitable. Bankers and investors, take note!

Special thanks to Australian Ambassador Robin Mudie and expert speakers and panelists Michael Kokalari, Dr. Samanthi Gunawardana, Dr. Trung Xuan Hoang, Yen Do, Donald Lambert, Alex Downs, and Moderator Christina Ameln.

And note that this event highlights AmCham’s commitment to the Panel Pledge - this event demonstrates gender balance!

Committee Leadership Opportunities, and Meetings

Committee Meetings. We were delighted to welcome members to join our Digital Economy & Technology Committee Meeting on Tuesday, April 19 at 9AM, and look forward to welcoming members to our HR Committee Meeting on Thursday, April 21 with guest speakers, Manpower Country Sales Manager Trang Nguyen and Respect Vietnam Founder Ha Dang, who will share "The skills revolution and key to retaining talent".

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.

AmCham Premium Corporate Membership: 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 Da Nang and I hope you are all well! Really looking forward to the upcoming weekend events in Da Nang! Thanks to all our members' support for the United Tastes event as well as our sponsors for the beach cleanup on the 23^rd. In particular the Sheraton Grand Danang Resort, Coca-Cola, Lovepop, Suntory PepsiCo and Evergreen Labs. We hope to have a great weekend and many memorable events! Look forward to seeing you all this upcoming weekend!

Advocacy

Congressional Staffdel Meeting on Cybersecurity and Critical Technologies. AmCham Vietnam members exchanged views with a visiting U.S. Congressional staff delegation on cybersecurity and critical technology opportunities, challenges, and risks.

Key takeaways - lots of opportunities here in this dynamic economy, both for tech manufacturing and digital economy, given young tech-savvy workforce, and entrepreneurial talents. Digital transformation was accelerated during COVID; more is needed particularly in SMEs to be competitive. Coordination would be welcome among ministries to create a cohesive holistic enabling regulatory ecosystem, as well ensuring adequate investment in hard infrastructure. Continued reforms are welcome in education to ensure development of English language skills, critical thinking, and practical tech skills. And continued lifelong learning will be needed for most all of us.

If you have business operations in Da Nang, and wish to share any opportunities or challenges, please advise us soonest for a meeting we will have with the Da Nang People’s Committee on Friday, April 22.

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)

April 21: HR Committee Meeting

April 26: Tourism & Hospitality Committee Meeting

April 27: Logistics & Supply Chain Committee Meeting

April 27: Healthcare 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.