Message From The Chair – May 2019

Dear AmCham Members,

April and early May have been a very busy time for AmCham and its members.  We have continued our efforts to forge relationships and partnerships within both the U.S. and Vietnam governments.  Our business programing and committee work have also remained robust.  I am pleased to report on a few of the highlights of the past month and look ahead to some upcoming events.

Our efforts to strengthen our connection with the U.S. government’s interest and development in Vietnam included welcoming the U.S. Congressional Staff Delegation on April 18, 2019. AmCham Board Members welcomed this delegation of 10 assistants to U.S. Senators and congressmen from the Democrat and Republican parties on their working visit to Vietnam.  AmCham shared with the delegation the opportunities and challenges in doing business here.

As for new partnerships in Vietnam, AmCham’s Food & Beverage committee entered into an important Memorandum of Understanding with the Vietnam Standards and Quality Institute, under STAMEQ, to build new Vietnam Quality Standards which focus on the food and beverage category.  The MOU was signed on May 10 in Hanoi during the U.S.-Vietnam Business Summit.  As part of that agreement, AmCham’s F&B committee will work with VSQI to support workshops and other ways to promote these standards.  One such joint workshop with STAMEQ, which took place April 24, prior to the formal MOU signing, was held on “Consultation on the Draft of Circular on Guidelines for good labels”.  I was honored to welcome over 160 participants to that event where 16 issues were addressed. Click for full speech here; For more about both events click HERE.

Of course, our business seminars and committees meeting opportunities also provided insight and value.  Some of those included:

• On April 25^th we welcomed Mr. Jimmy Thai, speaker and U.S. business leader originally from Vietnam, on the topic “How to win and lose contracts with America Companies.” The attendees heard several case studies with solutions for Vietnamese companies to in terms of culture and opportunities with American companies.
• AmCham also saw the launch the newly-formed Agriculture committee, which met on May 13, with member interest to focus on two advocacy issues related to wheat importation into Vietnam from the U.S. and African Swine Fever (ASF) in Vietnam.
• Several other AmCham committees have been very active on advocacy related to tax issues and the new draft Labor Amended Labor Code, for which an AmCham Position paper is set for release.

In addition to many business topics and events, AmCham members also had fun together.  On May 4th, over 130 members and their guests participated in the 2nd Annual AmCham’s Cinco De Mayo Fiesta. All had a great networking time and enjoyed fabulous Mexican food and drinks.

Upcoming Events

AmCham is excited to offer two unique opportunities in the next month to engage with U.S. and local HCMC officials.

The first is a dinner on June 6th for U.S. Ambassador Daniel J. Kritenbrink and Consul General Mary Tarnowka, who will be transitioning out of her role in July. Ambassador Kritenbrink will share insight on the economic climate and political relations, and will also recognize Mary Tarnowka on her accomplishments as Consul General during her tenure.  I encourage you to secure your place soon–tickets for the evening event (to be held at the Intercontinental Hotel, which also include a four-course meal, free-flow beverages and live music), are selling now; and with various sponsorship packages offered, there are several ways to gain additional benefits from the event. Click HERE for event information.

We are also pleased to offer an opportunity to participate in a half-day meeting with HCMC City Leaders in June (date to be informed).  We have gathered several issues from our committees on opportunities and challenges that AmCham companies are encountering in HCMC and plan to present those as part of renewed engagement with the City leadership. This meeting is open to AmCham members only.

We also look forward to celebrating on June 29th our U.S. Independence Day with AmCham members, families and friends. This will be the 25th year of AmCham’s 4^th of July celebration and family picnic. All-in-one tickets are on sale now.

The next month will also continue with many AmCham committee and business seminars, and I invite you to regularly check with your Committee chairs and the AmCham website as new opportunities are added every week.  Click HERE to see our Calendar. Of specific note, Women in Leadership (another new committee) will host its planning meeting on May 28.  If you or a woman in your organization is interested in planning the mission, events and programming, please RSVP and join in shaping this important initiative. See Committees page HERE.

And as a reminder: Although committee participation and meetings are limited to AmCham members, please note that Company AmCham members can involve any employee of their organization to join in committees, as participation is not limited to the named Company representative members.

New Members and Thank You Premium Members

We are very excited to welcome our new and recently joined Corporate Members: Cimigo Sole Member LLC, Construction Joint Stock Company No. 1 (COFICO), Cuchi Shipping Co., LTD.; Hill Risk Consulting (Thailand) Ltd; Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport; LMG (World Luxury Mattress Gallery Company Limited); Platinum Global Company Limited, Tiki Corporation.

AmCham very much appreciates Coca-Cola, Suntory PepsiCo, Intel, and Truong Phat for their continuous being our Premium Members.

Please watch in the coming weeks for an AmCham Survey as we seek to check-in with our members on the benefits and ways we can improve our Chamber.  I ask that you take the few minutes to give us this feedback.   But also know, the Board and Staff at AmCham are always ready to hear your comments, suggestions, and ideas to strengthen the Chamber. Please get involved and we hope to see you at our events soon!

With Best Regards,

Amanda Rasmussen
Chairwoman