Weekly eNewsletter
32nd Week of 2021 - August 15, 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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After a month of travel in the States and 10 days of quarantine in HCMC, there is something wonderful about ‘home, sweet home’, even now, in the midst of the current lockdown. After relearning how to drive in California after a two-year break, Zofi and I are learning/relearning how to cook and clean. There is something gratifying about it, although the work never ends… I of course love seeing my garden again, and we are even playing old-fashioned games I played when I was young, like Yahtzee!
AmCham Vietnam continues to be focused on COVID-19-related advocacy and support to our members. We held a joint virtual briefing last Wednesday, August 11th, for our Board members, Advocacy Panel, and Corporate Partners with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council. We shared feedback from the Prime Minister’s August 8th meeting with the business community, where USABC Vietnam Country Rep Vu Tu Thanh presented joint concerns of USABC and AmCham, the August 4th townhall with VCCI President and CEO Vu Tien Loc where I presented on behalf of AmCham, and our upcoming meeting with HCMC leaders, now expected to take place on Wednesday, August 18th. We will also be seeking virtual meetings with provincial authorities in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, and Da Nang. Please continue to share your feedback on challenges and recommended solutions in these provinces – and HCMC and nationally – to advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com
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AmCham Vietnam’s panel of healthcare experts provided welcome facts and perspective at our August 12th “COVID-19 Virus, Variants, Vaccines, Assistance, and Advocacy”. Many thanks to U.S. Centers for Disease Control Vietnam Country Director Dr. Eric Dziuban, HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Director Professor Guy Thwaites, Victoria Healthcare Vietnam International Clinics Chairman Dr. Mason Cobb, and Pfizer Vietnam Country Manager and Chief Representative JP Pullicino for taking time from your busy schedules to share your expertise and insights. Key takeaways - lockdown measures help, and vaccines are essential. Vietnam is struggling, but is not alone. The Vietnamese Government has mobilized resources to respond, including increasing the number of ICU beds from 1500 to 3000. Private care options are available, including telemedicine to monitor asymptomatic or mild cases with use of oxygen monitors. In addition to learning the latest on COVID-19 outbreaks in Vietnam, we discussed ways to contribute to critically-needed medical equipment through AmCham CARES, and results of AmCham’s recent member survey on COVID-19 concerns. |
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We shared highlights of our August 3-5th AmCham Vietnam COVID-19 Concerns survey responses at the August 12th event. We will be sharing a full readout shortly – stay tuned. Meanwhile, I will share that the top request in terms of communications, support, and events was “periodic briefings from experts on the COVID-19 situation” and #2 was “advocacy for the business environment and my sector/business”. We are doing our best to respond to your needs!
Please also do what you can to contribute to support Vietnam’s COVID-19 response through AmCham CARES.
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Show you care! Please do your part to help now through AmCham CARES, by contributing cash or in-kind for critically-needed ventilators and medical equipment via AmCham, or directly to our NGO members and partners providing COVID relief.
Please contribute NOW to donate ventilators for Vietnam to support the Vietnamese government’s COVID-19 response. AmCham CARES provides you a transparent mechanism to make contributions NOW for critically-needed medical equipment and supplies and know they will be delivered to where in Vietnam they are needed most.
Even with a country-wide mobilization to support HCMC and surrounding areas, there is still an urgent need for additional vaccines and medical equipment. AmCham CARES is focused on ventilators for Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong, the most acute needs according to the Ministry of Health and Fatherland Front. Thanks to Medtronic, we have access to state-of-the-art Medtronic Covidien ventilators at cost, with availability in Singapore for delivery about two weeks after our order date. We have already placed the first order. Please contribute NOW personally or for your company to support Vietnam and HCMC at this challenging time. We are also looking into possible donations of other medical equipment, including BIPAP and CPAP non-invasive ventilators, and SpO2 oxygen monitors. We also welcome contributions from other business associations and non-members and will ensure all donors are recognized. Contribute Now: https://bit.ly/3i4FHRn to demonstrate AmCham Cares! If you have any questions, please contact AmCham Office Manager Cindy Tran, cindy.tran@amchamvietnam.com
The fourth wave of COVID-19 in Vietnam and the highly transmissible Delta variant are causing extreme hardship for many Vietnamese people, especially disadvantaged groups such as migrants and informal workers. We know many of AmCham’s members and friends want to contribute to help, but don’t know how best to do so. In addition to contributing directly via AmCham CARES to donate critically-needed medical equipment to support the Vietnamese governments, we provide information below about various AmCham INGO members’ COVID-19 relief programs in Vietnam, as well as links to some local NGOs vetted and supported by LIN. Contribute now personally or via your company. LINK. We also plan a special fundraiser on August 27th at 5PM – save the date!!
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We also are happy to highlight any COVID-related contributions from our member companies on our social media. Please email details, including photos, to Cindy Tran. We will also recognize contributions of our member companies to support the Vietnamese government’s COVID response, as well as other innovative and impactful Corporate Social Responsibility Programs or Environment, Social, and Governance initiatives at our November 18 “Giving Thanks Dinner”.
Many thanks to Esquel Garment Manufacturing (Vietnam) for its generous contribution through AmCham Cares to the HCMC Fatherland Front of 10,000 pcs DET30 face masks to support HCMC COVID-19 prevention and control measures.
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U.S.-Vietnam Supply Chains getting strengthened! Delighted to see the dedicated staff of SSA Marine at Cai Mep port in Ba Ria Vung Tau receive vaccines on August 11th!! SSIT is a deep sea port in Cai Mep - 50% owned by SSA Marine from Seattle, Washington, USA. The facility is staffed with 279 dedicated professionals and equipped to service some of the largest cargo ships plying the world’s oceans. Vaccines help SSA secure supply chains so trade between Vietnam and the USA will continue to flow unimpeded. Containerized exports from Vietnam to the USA grew by 42% in 1H 2021, and included products such as apparel, footwear, furniture, and electronics, providing needed, affordable consumer products to American workers.
We are thrilled to see more of our members getting vaccinated! Please share photos when your teams are vaccinated and/or let us know if you encounter problems at advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com.
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What an honor for AmCham Vietnam to host AmCham’s August 10th Chairman’s Circle Virtual Conversation, featuring an exclusive conversation between former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam and now President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council, author of “Nothing is Impossible: America’s Reconciliation with Vietnam”, and Fulbright University Vietnam Lecturer Nguyen Xuan Thanh, about Ambassador Osius’ new book! Even more of an honor for Vietnam’s Ambassador to the U.S. Ha Kim Ngoc to both deliver opening remarks, and join the panel discussion and Q&A session!! Among other stories, Ambassadors Ngoc and Osius shared their partnership in overcoming naysayers to facilitate the groundbreaking 2015 visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong with President Obama. That visit was critical in building the mutual trust and respect needed to deepen and transform our bilateral partnership. Even if you weren’t able to join the event, you can still learn from former Amb Osius’ first-hand accounts of the various forms of diplomacy that brought about the reconciliation between two former enemies and helped bring new prosperity to Vietnam. Special offers if you order the book now, either in hard copy or e-book! LINK
Last week, we also had an informative workshop on August 10th with Stephen Le of Le & Tran who covered the functions and usage of the key provisions in a procurement contract from the perspectives of both Buyer and Seller. And productive meetings of our Energy, VBF & Legal, and ESG Committees, too, the latter with a guest speaker Angus McEwin, Founder and Managing Director of Monsoon Carbon, on “The Use of Carbon Credits in Vietnam”.
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Upcoming Events and Committee Meeting
We look forward to welcoming many of you at our Digital Economy & Technology Committee meeting on Tuesday, August 17 at 9AM, Healthcare Committee Meeting on Wednesday, August 18 at 4:15PM, HR Committee Meeting talking about Legal perspective for Work from Home on Thursday, August 19 at 9AM, Tax & Customs Committee Meeting also on Thursday, August 19 at 5PM, and Agriculture Committee Meeting on Friday, August 20 at 9AM.
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SSA MARINE a New Premium Corporate Member: We are delighted to welcome SSA Marine as a Premium Member at the Diamond-level and value its support! AmCham Premium membership offers the opportunity for qualified companies to highlight their status as business leaders and their strategic support for AmCham Vietnam’s mission and programs. Premium Membership offers a range of discounts, benefits, and exclusive access. Customized packages are available. To learn more, see LINK or contact Office Manager Cindy Tran at cindy.tran@amchamvietnam.com.
Support Local Businesses: It is harder under Directive 16 to support local businesses. But please do what you can with the few retail businesses still open. And be prepared to do your part when things reopen – please support the local businesses that contribute so much to our quality of life, but which are incredibly 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 us at LINK.
To support the HCMC People’s Committee’s COVID-19 control measures. AmCham Vietnam will continue to hold all our meetings and events at a Level IV rating this week – all virtual. Please see https://bit.ly/ACEventRating for more information about AmCham’s COVID-19 event ratings. All members of the AmCham team are following a Work from Home (wfh) policy. Our team is still working hard to serve you. We regret our home (or quarantine hotel) wifi is not as strong as at the New World Hotel.
We welcome your feedback at team@amchamvietnam.com to let us know how we can serve you better. We wish you a safe and healthy week ahead! Mary
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Greetings from Da Nang and I hope you are all staying safe! As many of you might have heard, from Monday the 16th of August the Da Nang Government will apply basically 100% lockdown of the entire city. No one will be allowed to leave their homes for the next 7 days. While the government acknowledges that this will likely be a bit uncomfortable for everyone, they believe these measures are necessary to control the community transmission of the COVID-19 Virus. For our members here in Da Nang, please either directly or through a Vietnamese spouse, partner or friend, contact your commune level ‘person in charge’ to register your household for the food delivery provided by the ward in which you reside. This will act as an essential supply during the week ahead.
We hope that these strong actions will help curb the number of Covid infections in our city and, as always, we support the actions of the local authorities. Stay safe, stay strong, and stay healthy!
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COVID-19 Update from Healthcare Provider Subcommittee Chair
Dr. Mason Cobb and Andrew Meadows
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Groundhog Day, All Over Again
For more information, LINK (to COVID page).
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AmCham Vietnam continues to be focused on COVID-19-related advocacy and support to our members. We held a joint virtual briefing last Wednesday, August 11th, for our Board members, Advocacy Panel, and Corporate Partners with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council. We shared feedback from the Prime Minister’s August 8th meeting with the business community, where USABC Vietnam Country Rep Vu Tu Thanh presented joint concerns of USABC and AmCham, the August 4th townhall with VCCI President and CEO Vu Tien Loc where I presented on behalf of AmCham, and our upcoming meeting with HCMC leaders, now expected to take place on Wednesday, August 18th. We will also be seeking virtual meetings with provincial authorities in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, and Da Nang. See LINK for this week’s report. Please continue to share your feedback on challenges and recommended solutions in these provinces – and HCMC and nationally to advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com
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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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August 31, 8:45 - 10:30am
Business and Commercial Judgment Enforcement – Obstacles and Solutions
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Virtual participation only. Please register to receive the Zoom link.
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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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