AmCham Vietnam Weekly eNewsletter - 35th Weeks of 2022

Weekly eNewsletter

35th Week of 2022 - September 1, 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 ,

Home, Sweet, Home. While many of you are off traveling over the National Day holiday weekend, I decided to stay home and enjoy my garden. Hope you enjoy the holiday weekend whether you brave the crowds at airports or highways or enjoy a peaceful pre-Tết Trung Thu or Mid-autumn Festival staycation at home!

Executive Director Mary Tarnowka and HCMC Board of Governors Secretary and AIM Founder, Chair, and Managing Director Mark Gillin, and Hanoi and HCMC Governor and Citibank Country Officer RamC were honored to meet HCMC Chairman Phan Van Mai at the HCMC People’s Committee National Day reception.

Prime Minister Meeting with FDI Business Community now September 17. We learned yesterday that the long-awaited PM meeting with the FDI Business Community will take place on Saturday, September 17, in a hybrid format, with in-person participation in Hanoi. More details, including speakers and timing, are still TBD. We are coordinating with AmCham Hanoi Board colleagues to finalize AmCham’s remarks, due Tuesday, September 6. You can do your part to inform the meeting by completing the MPI/VBF Business Climate Survey LINK. If you have specific issues, you also are welcome to share concerns and recommendations by 5PM Monday, September 5, ideally coordinated through relevant Committees, utilizing the VBF format (EN and VN required). More details in Advocacy Report below.

Upcoming Events.

We are excited to launch our inaugural series of AmCham Vietnam Professional Leadership Skills Development workshops, focused on: Refining Your Professional Image; Defining Your Personal Narrative; Building Your Digital Brand; and Speaking with Power. Join for yourself and/or invest in members of your organization or team. The interactive workshops are designed to be open to and relevant to all, wherever you are on your career path. Join one workshop or sign up for the series to fully benefit. A 10% discount will be applied when you register for three or more. Become a corporate sponsor to demonstrate your commitment to leadership development. LINK

Get a fresh start after the holidays by joining our first event in the Professional Leadership Skills Development Fall series to learn from the fabulous and inimitable Trang Le about Refining Your Professional Image on Tuesday, September 6 at The Reverie Saigon. This interactive event should be both professionally rewarding and fun. Open to all, both AmCham members and friends. Two of our senior executive Board Members have bravely volunteered. Volunteers will also be welcome at the event. We all have something to learn as we refine our unique professional image … In addition to her undisputed leadership role in Vietnam's fashion community, Trang Le has extensive expertise in image consulting for senior executives, founders, and those who work in corporate environments at all levels. Hope to see many AmCham friends and friends of friends Tuesday - please feel free to share! Register now. LINK.

If you are in Hanoi on Tuesday, September 6, please join the Tuesday morning, September 6 Energy Discussion with U.S. Special Representative for Climate John Kerry, organized by AmCham Hanoi. LINK

Plan now to join our September 15 event on Vietnam's Economic Outlook - Thriving in Uncertain Times to update your H2 forecasts and inform your 2023 business plans. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leading experts, including policy insights from Fulbright University Vietnams’ Nguyen Xuan Thanh, macroeconomic analysis from VinaCapital’s Mike Kokalari, and the latest on consumer trends from our Chair in HCMC, aka Mastercard’s Winnie Wong. Register now! LINK

Upcoming Committee Meetings. AmCham members are welcome to join, in-person or virtually:

September 7: Education & Training Committee Meeting

September 9: Manufacturing Committee Meeting

September 13: Energy Committee Meeting

Recent Events

August 31 Dialogue with HCMC Leaders. Executive Director Mary Tarnowka was honored to speak on behalf of AmCham at the August 31 HCMC Leaders Meeting with the business community. Board Member and Intel Vietnam and Malaysia Director of Public Affairs also spoke, in her role as Chair of the Saigon High Tech Park Business Association.

AmCham members value actions that Vietnamese leaders generally and HCMC leaders specifically have taken to promote economic recovery. We are optimistic about prospects for economic recovery in 2023 and beyond. We look forward to partnering with HCMC to develop an enabling environment that attracts investment and drives innovation and sustainable growth.

There were many common themes among the speakers: appreciation for HCMC’s pragmatic reopening and willingness to dialogue with business; as well as the need for continued administrative reforms; streamlined procedures for visas and work permits; more transportation infrastructure; and policies to enable the digital economy; promote clean energy and sustainable development; strengthen local supply chains; and develop a globally competitive workforce, both for white-collar professionals and technical staff.

AmCham also recognized healthcare and wellness as the foundation of the economy and encouraged capital market reforms to secure Emerging Market status and an investment grade sovereign rating. Party Secretary Nguyen Van Nen, People’s Committee Chairman Phan Van Mai, and People’s Council Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Le took on Board concerns and recommendations and promised close partnership as we jointly strive to promote economic recovery and sustainable growth in HCMC.

August 31 Virtual Dialogue between Ba Ria-Vung Tau People's Committee and Business Associations, Enterprises, Investors. At the same time as the in-person meeting with HCMC leaders, HCMC Secretary and Founder, Chair, and Managing Director of AIM Mark Gillin spoke on behalf of AmCham at the virtual event hosted by BRVT Deputy Party Secretary and People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Van Tho. He shared AmCham’s overall appreciation of actions the BRVT authorities had taken to promote economic recovery and shared our members’ optimism about prospects for continued growth.

AmCham recommends coordinated investment in transportation infrastructure to promote connectivity throughout the Southern Key Economic Region between HCMC, the Mekong, Cat Lai and Cai Mep ports, and the Long Thanh airport. Implemented effectively, this could create a holistic Southern Supply Chain Corridor stretching from Binh Duong and Dong Nai in the north to BRVT in the south, via uncongested freeways to Long Thanh airport and then on to the massive seaport complex called the Cai Mep Logistics Center. We also recommend continued improvements in administrative reforms, and approvals of energy projects to enable additional investment.

Wanek/Ashley VP and General Director Andrew Lien, Ho Tram Grand COO Craig Douglas, and representatives from SSA Marine and CMIT also spoke at the event. Phu My3 Industrial Park was a strong partner in facilitating the event. AmCham looks forward to strengthening our partnership with BRVT!

On August 23, members of AmCham Vietnam participated virtually in the AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) Virtual Door Knock which featured Jonathan Martin, National Political Reporter for the New York Times and co-author of the best-selling "This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future." It was a lively discussion with over 100 individuals from the region, focusing on American politics, the upcoming mid-term elections, partisanship, and future directions.

AmChams of Asia Pacific (AAP) hosted a virtual Readout of the AAP Washington DC Doorknock 2022 on August 24. The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) was a key focus in many discussions, especially the challenges and opportunities that lie within the framework. The IPEF acts as a roadmap for the U.S to facilitate even greater economic connectivity within the region. The program included meetings with representatives of the State Department, Department of Commerce, USTR, Congressional representatives and more. The 2022 U.S. Washington DC DoorKnock was organized by the AAP and led by Steve Okun, AAP Chair & Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates. It was the first in-person Door Knock since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The Door Knock is an annual event where AAP Chambers meet with U.S. Government officials, Members of Congress, and other thought-leaders who help determine the future of U.S. policy towards the Asia-Pacific region. Representatives from AmChams from Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam attended this event.

Thanks to all who joined us for an evening of professional networking at our August 24th Connect & Cocktail at Novotel’s OnTop Bar. We look forward to seeing many more AmCham members and potential members at our September 28th C&C at The Long at Times Square, aka The Long Bar at The Reverie Saigon!

Please welcome AmCham Vietnam's new Membership Assistant, Paisley Phuong Dang!

I am Paisley, and recently joined the AmCham team as Membership Assistant. Studying International Relations, I deeply understand the great value of the economic cooperation between the U.S and Vietnam and always wanted to do something to enhance the relationship between the two countries. Being able to work at AmCham is like a dream come true to me. Right now, in addition to my daily membership services tasks to help our members utilize their benefits, my job also includes developing the Discount Partner Program. This is one of our efforts to support local businesses which contribute so much to the quality of life in Vietnam by offering the opportunity to promote your brands to the AmCham business community. If your company is interested in our Discount Partner Program, or you want to refer a favorite business, please contact me via email at amcham.membership@amchamvietnam.com.

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.

The AmCham Office will be closed on September 1 and 2 for Vietnam's National Day. We hope you enjoy your holidays, be well, and stay safe. Thank you for your continued support – let us know how we can do better at team@amchamvietnam.com! Look out for our next newsletter on Monday, September 12^th. Regards, Mary

Greetings from Da Nang and a very busy weekend! Special thanks to the U.S. Ambassador Marc Knapper and the U.S. Mission delegation that stopped by the hand-over ceremony of new bikes for the Danang Street Children Organization. Our members Sunrise Potential Partners and Indochina Mall partnered with Rotary Club of Da Nang to donate 15 new bikes to the orphanage for the next school year. It was great that the Ambassador could stop by and give our efforts here more visibility!

Additionally, a special congratulations to the Japanese Consul General in Da Nang, Mr. Yoshinori Yakabe for the opening ceremony of the Japanese Consulate in Da Nang. We were honored to be welcomed alongside the U.S. delegation to the ceremony at the Mikazuki Resort. This upgrade from a Consular Office to full Consulate General status took place in less than two years. This is an unprecedented move in Japanese history and one that shows the strong ties between the City of Da Nang’s Government and the Japanese business community. I would suggest we get our own Consulate here soon as well!

Advocacy

Prime Minister Meeting with FDI Business Community now September 17. We learned on August 31 that the long-awaited PM meeting with the FDI Business Community will take place on Saturday, September 17, in a hybrid format, with in-person participation in Hanoi. More details, including speakers and timing, are still TBD. We are coordinating with AmCham Hanoi Board colleagues to finalize AmCham’s remarks, due Tuesday, September 6. You can do your part to make sure AmCham is well-represented and your views inform the meeting by completing the MPI/VBF Business Climate Survey LINK. We recommend completing the survey on your laptop vs phone to avoid technical glitches. In addition, if you have specific issues, you also are welcome to share concerns and recommendations to advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com by 5PM Monday, September 5, ideally coordinated through relevant Committees, utilizing the VBF format (EN and VN required). LINK

Our remarks from August 31 meetings with HCMC and BRVT leaders are attached. Thanks to all who provided input! LINK. LINK.

Meanwhile, 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 and advocacyaction@amchamvietnam.com

Committee Meetings & Activities (For AmCham Members only)

September 7: Education & Training Committee Meeting

September 9: Manufacturing Committee Meeting

September 13: Energy 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.