AmCham Vietnam
Mission
Promote an enabling environment for a free, open, and secure digital economy in Vietnam, and drive innovation and inclusive economic growth through digital transformation and development of new technologies to advance Industrial Revolution 4.0 in Vietnam.
2022 Strategic Plan
Top Priorities for 2022
- Partner with other aligned stakeholders to advocate for an enabling regulatory environment
- Facilitate and accelerate adoption of digital transformation and cashless economy to drive post-pandemic recovery
- Promote equitable access to digital financial services for SMEs
- Accelerate e-government adoption throughout Vietnam
- Promote entrepreneurship and innovation partnerships between local startups and U.S. tech providers, and foreign and domestic investors
Key Events for 2022
- Series of Practical How-to Sessions on Digital Transformation for SMEs
- Digital Training capacity building for Vietnamese MSMEs
- Partner with U.S. and Vietnamese governments on Digital Economy events/hackathons in HCMC and/or at the Central-level to drive innovation
Top Advocacy Issues
- Ensure continuity of cross-border data flows and data security (Law on Cyber Security, and Personal Data Protection Decree)
- Promote a holistic regulatory approach for the Digital Economy, including on E-commerce and E-transactions, fintech and digital payments (Decree 101), tax (Circular 80), and advertising and content regulation (Decree 6 and 72, Cinema Law)
- Create an enabling legal framework for tech IPOs
- Support establishment of a bilateral or regional Digital Economy and/or Cybersecurity Dialogue
Leadership Team
![]() Thao Griffiths, Country Head of Public Policy Vietnam, Meta Thao Griffiths joined Meta on 13 Dec 2021, as Public Policy Head for Vietnam. Most recently, Thao comes from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) where she played a key role bridging VCCI with both the private sector and key international partners like the US Government. Thao has worked across many fields in her professional life, with a particular focus on U.S.-Vietnam relations, including reconciliation and healing after the war. She served for nine years as Country Director for Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation in her 16-year tenure with the organisation both in its Hanoi and Washington offices. As it so happens, in the same week as she was joining Meta, Thao was also featured as one of “99 Outstanding Women in Vietnam” in the book We Are Vietnam by well-known photographer Nguyễn Á. Her section in the book highlights Thao’s journey from a childhood in the terraced hill-sides of Ha Giang valley to personal and professional adventures and advancements in Hanoi, Washington D.C., Melbourne, Geneva and beyond. Thao was interviewed on BBC, CNN, New York Times, Al Jazeera, and frequently on VTV and Vietnamese media. Thao has a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the American University. Thao is married to Dr Patrick Griffiths of the RMIT and they have two children now attending university in Australia. Thao loves to row, cycle, race dragon boats and play table tennis competitively. |
![]() Kenny Bench, General Director, AltSource Vietnam |
![]() Vice Chair & Legal Advisor Chung Seck, Partner, Baker McKenzie Vietnam Ltd. Seck Yee Chung leads the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions, IT/C and Healthcare practices in Vietnam. He is highly regarded in his field – Chambers and Asia Pacific Legal 500 rank him as a leading lawyer in the field of Corporate/M&A and TMT. Chung has worked in Vietnam since 1999 and has been involved in significant cross-border transactions. He delivers sound and pragmatic advice on regulatory and transactional matters, particularly on foreign investment, market access, private and public M&A, securities, competition and anti-corruption, commercial activities, and data use, over a diverse range of sectors, from digital economy, healthcare, and consumer products, to food & beverage, manufacturing, property, and aviation. He is a member of the Law Society of Singapore and serves as Vice President of the Singapore Business Group, Ho Chi Minh City. |
Vice Chair, Digital Training for SMEs
Tuoc Huynh, UL |
Co-Secretaries
Le Thu Minh, Associates, Baker McKenzie |
Co-Secretaries
Le Tuan Minh, Associates, Baker McKenzie |
Co-Secretaries
Mai Thi Loan, Paralegal, Baker McKenzie |
![]() Chad Ovel, Partner, Mekong Capital Chad Ovel has lived and worked in Vietnam continuously since 1996. Chad is a Partner at Mekong Capital, a Vietnam-focused Private Equity firm, specializing in consumer driven businesses. Established in 2001, Mekong Capital has the most extensive private equity track record in Vietnam having completed 41 private equity investments, of which 26 have been fully exited. Chad has led Mekong Capital’s successful investments in various sectors including pharmaceuticals, real estate, logistics, casual dining and retail. Before joining Mekong Capital, Chad had a successful track record as a CEO leading the rapid growth of ScanCom Vietnam, a foreign-owned furniture export manufacturing business, and AA Corporation, a local company operating in the sectors of construction, retail and manufacturing. Chad is originally from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He holds a BA from Carleton College and an MBA from University of Chicago. |
![]() Winnie Wong, Country Manager, Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos, Asia Pacific, Mastercard Winnie Wong is responsible for growing Mastercard’s business in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. With her experience in consumer and corporate payments and banking, she brings a fresh perspective to the markets on digital payments and solutions. Prior to her current role, Winnie was the Commercial B2B Sales Head for the region, where she was responsible for driving growth for Mastercard’s Business-to-Business (B2B) solutions across Asia Pacific. This includes working with governments, banks and corporations on trade digitization with the aim of improving efficiency and transparency, especially for cross-border trade. |
2023 Meeting Schedule
2022 Meeting Schedule
Reference Materials for Members
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions at [email protected]