Weekly eNewsletter
21st Week of 2021 - May 30, 2021
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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!
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We hope you are staying safe to control the latest outbreak. I have been spending time at home with my daughter, taking walks in the neighborhood with my dog, admiring my neighbor’s orchids, and enjoying the results of my friend’s lockdown baking therapy. |
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We are also “sacrificing” and ordering delivery to support local restaurants – both our tried and true favorites and some new ones. Do your part – please support the local businesses that contribute so much to our quality of life, but are particularly hard hit by lockdown measures! Especially our AmCham Members and Discount partners!! LINK. And if you want to become an AmCham Discount Partner, please contact our Membership team. From our understanding, delivery is still allowed under the latest guidance.
New social distancing directives are in effect in HCMC, as of May 31st. Click links below for article and graphic chart re new guidelines.
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AmCham Back to Level IV Virtual Events: To support the HCMC People’s Committee’s new COVID-19 control measures, including the new social distancing restrictions in place on May 31, AmCham Vietnam is holding our meetings and events at a Level IV rating this week – all virtual. Please see LINK for more information about AmCham’s COVID-19 event ratings. Join this week’s Education and Training Committee meeting on Wednesday at 9AM and Manufacturing Committee Friday at 9AM, via zoom!
URGENT ACTION! AmCham Vietnam flash survey on vaccinations. If you are an AmCham member, please complete the flash survey sent out May 28th 4PM ICT. We want to ensure we are accurately representing your interests and concerns. We know vaccines have become a critical issue in Vietnam, as well as globally. Even more so in Vietnam now with the new hybrid variant!
To be clear, AmCham Vietnam does not have any special access to vaccines. We are conducting this survey to inform our discussions with Vietnamese government authorities, as well as with U.S. Mission officials. We welcome your response to this survey no later than 5PM on Monday, May 31. Many thanks to your prompt attention. Contact us at contact@amchamvietnam.com if you did not receive the survey link.
AmCham Committed to Partnering with Vietnam on COVID-19 Vaccine Efforts:
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Vietnam’s initial COVID response was impressive, but its largely unvaccinated population is incredibly vulnerable now, particularly with new, more easily transmissible variants. Vaccines are critically needed.
AmCham and our member companies want to do our part to support the Vietnamese government’s efforts to secure an adequate supply of proven vaccines and distribute them transparently, with equitable access according to priority groups.
https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/business/20210529/us-business-group-determined-to-support-vietnam-s-covid19-vaccine-program/61202.html?fbclid=IwAR0Hph38_jJw__WUTCTqcLTiOzdagRCaNHDQEfAp2zSrhEuDNZvBLRLe6Hw
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Stay informed about COVID-19 with accurate information from experts:
Super informative COVID event - thanks to all who joined live! If you missed, it’s not too late to get informative insights from expert panelists at a May 26th multi-chamber virtual event on the COVID-19 Virus, Variants, and Vaccines: WHO’s Dr. Kidong Park; UNICEF’s Rana Flowers; OCRU’s Professor Guy Thwaites; AZ’s Nitin Kapoor; and KPMG’s Luke Treloar. More about the event and speakers at the LINK.
If you are an AmCham Vietnam member and are interested in viewing a recording of the event, please contact us @ amcham.it@amchamvietnam.com to obtain a password.
If you are not yet an AmCham Vietnam member, the recorded video clip is available at VND 200,000. Please contact us @ amcham.finance@amchamvietnam.com to purchase.
AmCham U.S. Independence Day Celebration and Community Picnic Postponed: Due to the current lockdown measures, we are postponing our Independence Day celebration until Saturday, August 28th. Save the Date!
Recent Events and Developments:
New Premium Corporate Member: We are delighted to welcome AstraZeneca as a Premium Member at the Gold-level and value its support. AmCham Premium membership offers… and exclusive access. Customized packages are available. To learn more, see LINK or contact Office Manager Cindy Tran at cindy.tran@amchamvietnam.com.
New Format for 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.
Last week’s Tourism and Hospitality and Women in Leadership Committee Meetings: Our T&H Committee featured excellent presentations from McKinsey Vietnam and regional experts on Vietnam’s economic prospects, and particularly the outlook for the tourism sector. If you are a member and interested in seeing the presentation, please contact Committee Manager Lily Nguyen at lily.nguyen@amchamvietnam.com. Our WIL Committee is focused on upcoming events and initiatives, including for entry-level and senior-level women executives, and for all women and their allies who share our interest in enhancing women leadership at AmCham, in their workplace, and the broader community in Vietnam!
Foreign Expert Travel (and return) to Vietnam:
Thinking about traveling to Vietnam, bringing in new employees, or leaving the country and returning anytime soon? AmCham’s May 19th “Facilitating Foreign Expert Travel (and Return) to Vietnam – Business Intelligence Briefing (virtual) featured advice from experts: Mazar’s Jack Nguyen, Industry Travel’s David Watson, Qatar Air’s Vu Thi Thanh Huong, Cathay Pacific’s Linh Dao, Holiday Inn’s Catherine Barbeoc’h, and Westcoast Healthcare Chairman/Frequent Traveler/ Administrator of private Facebook group “Post COVID return to Vietnam” Paul Hui. More info at LINK. Video is free to AmCham members with a fee for non-members. Event recording LINK.
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We welcome your feedback at team@amchamvietnam.com to let us know how we can serve you better. We wish you a safe week ahead! Mary
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Greetings from Da Nang and I hope you are all staying safe! Not much to update from Da Nang this week. However, we all stand in solidarity with the lockdowns facing the north and the south this week. It is not an easy period to go through, but it’s important to remember that it will end and the restrictions will begin to ease. Even this week, we have seen taxi and Grab services in our city been allowed to start again. Hoi An has opened its beaches and tourist sites. Restaurants there are also allowed to open. It grows from the small steps of reopening until we are all back to normal once again. Of course, it takes time and it’s frustrating, but it’s worth the difficulties as we need to stave of this pandemic by letting the authorities do what’s best for the public’s long-term welfare. Once again, we support the government’s efforts and we know that these slow-downs will pass soon. To everyone, stay safe, stay healthy and stay calm. |
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COVID-19 Update from Healthcare Provider Subcommittee Chair
Dr. Mason Cobb and Andrew Meadows
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The 4th Covid-19 wave is still spreading, now with all major cities and provinces affected, a new variant, and no end in sight. New social distancing directives go into effect in HCMC on May 31st. Vaccine availability is eagerly awaited, to return to a safe and predictable life to commence.
The current Covid-19 wave is the topic of every conversation. It is now in 34 cities and provinces with almost 3900 cases nation-wide and 12 deaths. Two major hospitals in Hanoi are closed to new Covid-19 patients, as they are so overloaded from the massive wave in the North.
There are 108 confirmed cases in HCMC, most linked to a religious group. As the government relentlessly tracks the cases and contacts, there are tens of thousands in quarantine. But with so many clusters with no initial case known, this wave has a “Whac-A-Mole” feel, as more clusters appear or continue, even with the intense tracking. Although some experts predict an end to this wave by the end of June, it has not begun to stabilize yet.
Because of the seemingly random cluster outbreaks, the disease seems always to be lurking, not far away. The government has been sensitive to the human toll of this worst wave. Initially, the citizenry was not directly locked down, although those over 60 years-old were advised to stay at home. Starting Monday, May 31, social distancing measures go into effect for HCMC, with stricter measures for residents of Go Vap and Thanh Loc.
Businesses are suffering damage from such recurrent disruptions, with many going out of business or losing leases. Without a vaccine, these outbreaks will continue with control through the same effective but disruptive measures currently used. Such outbreaks will only end when a large share of those living in Vietnam can be vaccinated.
As PM Minh Chinh has so wisely said, “We are all in this together.” The key to controlling the pandemic – worldwide as well as in Vietnam – is for the masses of people to become immune through vaccination. Businesses would find it futile to be the only ones vaccinated – it will take most of the entire population.
In the meantime, the government has been very specific about closures and exposures, and we must all follow this plan, as we, indeed, are all in this together.
For more information, LINK (to COVID page).
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AmCham Vietnam wants to partner with the Vietnamese government to support its efforts to secure additional supplies of proven vaccine, and distribute them transparently and equitably, according to priority groups. We encourage the U.S. government to consider Vietnam as a priority pilot country for “vaccine diplomacy”. Our survey results will help inform these efforts. If you are an AmCham member, please complete the survey immediately if you have not already done so.
If you have interest in this or any other advocacy matters that require AmCham support, please contact relevant Committee leaders and/or advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com. More information on AmCham advocacy at LINK.
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Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members Only) |
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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.
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Venue: New World Saigon Hotel, 76 Le Lai, Dist. 1 |
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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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