Weekly eNewsletter
33rd Week of 2021 - August 22, 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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Before stricter lockdown measures were imposed, I had one day of blissful post-quarantine home isolation freedom enjoying walks in my compound. It was beautiful to enjoy my neighbor’s fragrant orchids again! |
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VP Visit. This week, we look forward to the visit to Hanoi of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris August 24th-26th. Although she will not have an event with the business community here in Vietnam, she will have a supply-chain-focused event in Singapore, and we know members of her team joined our recent virtual event focused on the challenges to manufacturing supply chains in Vietnam during COVID. According to official statements, her visit to Vietnam will focus on the U.S.-Vietnam comprehensive partnership, including regional security, the economic partnership, and the role of civil society, as well as global health security cooperation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Central Government Advocacy. Last week, we provided input to the Central government sharing COVID response recommendations, both directly to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and Office of the Government, jointly with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, and together with AmCham Hanoi, via the Vietnam Business Forum (more details at Advocacy Update). While many of these recommendations focused on the manufacturing sector (at MPI request) we continue to be interested in concerns of all our members. Please continue to share your feedback directly to advocayaction@amchamvietnam.com, and through your committee leaders. We hope to have additional dialogue soon at the Central and HCMC-levels, as well as in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Long An, and other hard-hit provinces, based on member interest.
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HCMC Advocacy. While rumors swirled about what comes next in HCMC, AmCham, together with five other foreign business associations and key FDI businesses, including Intel and Jabil, joined a constructive 2&1/2-hour meeting on Friday, August 20, with HCMC leaders to discuss "Difficulties and Solutions for Recovery in the Context of COVID-19". Party Secretary Nen, Chairman Phong, and VC Hoan listened intently to concerns of the foreign business community and discussed the extraordinary challenges they face trying to protect both lives and livelihoods, with caseloads rising at the same time as more business closures. They also expressed appreciation to AmCham, our members, and other business associations for our ongoing support of the HCMC government’s COVID response (more details at Advocacy update).
As became clear later in the day, Chairman Phong resigned as Chairman to take a position in Hanoi, and the Central government sent in the military to support stricter lockdown measures, beginning at midnight on August 23rd. While initially unclear communications caused many of HCMC’s 13 million residents to run to supermarkets to stock up, causing potential super-spreader scenarios, later clarification that eased the panic. However, Sunday evening, local media reported that all residents will be required without exception to “stay where they are.” Fasten your seatbelts, breathe deeply, stay calm, stay home, and expect further updates and clarifications. AmCham looks forward to working with both Central and provincial authorities to fight the COVID pandemic and promote the dual goals of protecting lives and livelihoods, hopefully with greater coordination in the days ahead...
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Show you care! Please help save lives and 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 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 to support local charities that provide food and meals for those in need – save the date!!
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We are happy to highlight 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 Hellman Worldwide Logistics (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. for its generous contribution through AmCham Cares to the HCMC Fatherland Front of 6500 pcs face masks, 500 sets of PPE, and 1,000 pcs anti-droplet goggles to support HCMC COVID-19 prevention and control measures.
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Upcoming Events and Committee Meeting
We look forward to welcoming many of you at our Logistics & Supply Chain Committee Meeting on Wednesday, August 25 at 9:00AM with guest speaker, Country Sales Manager Vietnam from Cognex Viet Luu who will share 4.0 Industry – Digitization of Supply Chains.
And join us Friday afternoon, August 27, at 5PM for an AmCham CARES Community Charity Cookoff – more details to come tomorrow!!
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Other Updates
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.
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 safe and healthy. A very peaceful week has passed with the full lockdown of the city. With warm gratitude, I think it is more than appropriate to thank the city leaders for such skill in organizing all aspects of the lockdown. From the more frequent and organized testing of each household throughout the city to the rapid and continuous distribution of food for all citizens. It is an impressive challenge that they seem more than able to handle. That stated, due to the rise in cases, which would only be natural through the massive testing program, we will continue the full lockdown for an additional three days to ensure the safety and containment of the virus.
Congratulations to our friends and members in Hoi An which in the last week have witnessed the easing of restrictions, with "take-away" dining to resume. We look forward to easing restrictions in Da Nang soon as well!
It is worth noting that while we are in this lockdown period and HCMC is beginning a stricter lockdown next week, with all the free time we have, there are many Committee and additional AmCham meetings being held virtually. I have attended many, some not within my own business sector and it is fascinating to get more information, not only about the pandemic and means to curtail infection, but also a deeper understanding of business in Vietnam. I highly recommend you join as many as you can as you’ll gain a keen insight into American/Vietnam business relations and forward planning post-pandemic.
As always, stay strong, stay healthy, and stay vigilant!
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COVID-19 Update from Healthcare Provider Subcommittee Chair
Dr. Mason Cobb and Andrew Meadows
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Martial All Resources
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, both at the Central and provincial-level. 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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