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AmCham Fall Weekend, Vietnam Business Opportunities, Supplier Day Survey
FEATURES
 
Join other AmCham members and guests in a networking weekend, with Ambassador's Roundtable discussion of key issues in Vietnam-U.S. trade and investment and outlook for 2014. Three days/two nights including all of the following: room at special rates for our group (single or double occupancy, including 5% s.c. and 10% tax), buffet breakfasts at the Angsana Lang Co Market Place Restaurant; Fri Welcome Cocktail Reception; Sat Afternoon Roundtable with Ambassador, Consul General, and U.S. Mission Key Officers, followed by Evening Cocktails and Gala Dinner with scrumptious cuisine and fine wines, not to mention the breath-taking sunset over the bay.
Vietnam Business Opportunities, Sep 24 in Seattle, Sep 27 in Los Angeles
Complimentary seminars at the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, USC University Club (Los Angeles),  PNC Bank Building (Philadelphia) and the Town Point Club (Norfolk). Learn about opportunities in Vietnam in general and Binh Duong Province and the Southern Key Economic Region in particular. 
 
We are pleased to invite you to a luncheon and investment forum with His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Vietnam, on Friday, September 27, 2013. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss investment opportunities and challenges with the Prime Minister and his accompanying ministers and officials at this event. The delegation will include Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, the Chief of the Office of the Government, the Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, Mayor of Ha Noi Nguyen The Thao, and Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam Nguyen Van Binh, as well as a number of Vice Ministers of areas from Education to Finance. 
Events



Wed, Sep 18

 

How the New Labor Code which comes into force on 1 May 2013 effects the business immigration practice in Vietnam? Is your company ready for a sudden interdisciplinary audit from the authorities? Do you have a policy and process in place to identify and assess the business immigration needs of your international assignees, locally-hired foreign employees or business travellers who coming to Vietnam? 

Tue, Sep 24

 

In response to a number of AmCham companies, AmCham has arranged this workshop to provide an update on U.S. visitor visa application procedures, visa renewal procedures, and procedures for group visits (incentive tours, etc.). 

Wed, Sep 25

AmCham Palooza Party

 

AmCham will continue its series of monthly informal networking events at the coolest and latest nightspots in Ho Chi Minh City.

The monthly Palooza Party is a platform to develop new friendships, networking opportunities and information exchange. People from all age groups are welcome to attend - there's no age limit, you just have to be young at heart!

Committee Activities
When:      Thursday, Oct 3, 2013 - 9:00am - 1:00pm
Where:     New World Hotel Saigon

This short 3-minute survey will gather AmCham companies' opinions regarding their supply chain experience in Vietnam and maximize planning for the AmCham Supplier Day, an event for companies to meet prospective and current suppliers, dialogue and discuss challenges, and forge closer relationships with partners to help enhance competitiveness of all involved. 

 

When:      Tuesday, Oct 8, 2013 - 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Where:     Baker & McKenzie Offices
Events, Meetings & Special Offers

 

Korean Air offers one of the largest global networks in the industry, connecting 125 cities in over 45 countries. Fly to your favorite destinations with us any day because we understand that the world is your stage.  

 

Designed to offer absolute privacy and exclusivity, Banyan Tree Lăng Cô is nestled in a unique crescent bay framed by a three kilometre beach on the Central Coast of Vietnam, an area renowned for its pristine coastline, tropical jungles, rugged mountain peaks and proximity to the country's most storied UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the cities of Hue and Hoi An along with the relics of My Son.

 

Take your presentation skills to the next level with Presentation 2.0, the visual storytelling approach that has brought tremendous success to Al Gore, Steve Jobs and the best TED presenters. Join Dr. Thuy Nguyen of Click Communication for a one-day workshop that will forever change the way you design and deliver your presentations.

 

KCS is one of Asia's leading providers of corporate services. With headquarters in Hong Kong, 14 offices in 8 countries, and over 450 professionals across Asia, we continue to expand our business to other locations to ensure our existing and prospecting clients have access to our quality services wherever they are.

 

If you are the leaders of an enterprise or Head of HR, have you ever undertaken a self-assessment of the risks in your enterprise's payroll system or procedures? Have you ever thought about what would happen if your enterprise has problems with its payroll? How long would it take for you to discover the problem and the cause? How much time, effort and cost would be required to set things right?

 

 

AmCham HCMC offers many opportunities to market your company's products and services to AmCham members, the business community and the general public. Our services include: 

- Event Sponsorship

- Event Management Support 

- Networking Online (Advertising) on AmCham website

- Announcement in Weekly Update Email

- Print advertising in AmCham Membership Directory 

- Print advertising in AmCham Membership Discount Handbook

- Advertising on AmCham Discount Online 

News and Issues Updates
MOU signed at SEMI® Vietnam Semiconductor Strategy Summit
 
The HCMC Semiconductor Industry Association (HSIA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation with Semiconductor Equipment & Materials International (SEMI) on Wednesday to facilitate development of the semiconductor industry. The cooperation will help HSIA members to expand their international networks, since SEMI has nearly 1,800 members who are multinational enterprises and groups in the electronic and semiconductor chip sectors. 
Samsung to spend $1.2 billion on a 2nd Thai Nguyen plant
 
South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics will start work next month on a $1.2 billion chip and electronic components plant in the northern province of Thai Nguyen. Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen in March 2013 broke ground for the hi-tech complex at a total cost of US$2 billion. The mobile phone manufacturing and assembly and hi-tech product plant covering some 100 hectares is due to be commissioned at the end of this year.

FDI sector now the main engine as other pillars crumple
 
The foreign direct investment (FDI) sector is now the key driver in the local economy while other pillars, notably the local private sector, the State-owned sector and agriculture are all crumpling. The export revenue of the FDI sector in the January-August period posted 26% growth, exclusive of crude oil, compared to a mere 3.1% growth recorded by local enterprises. The total commodity and service retail revenue of the sector in the period grew 37.5% year on year, while State-owned enterprises saw a contraction of 6.7% and local enterprises a growth rate of 14.2% only.  
Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese businesses "missing"
 
In early 2012 there were more than 545,000 corporates established (excluding the dissolved ones). Of these, more than 360,000 businesses were certified of operating at the time of 1/1/2012 and about 185,000 businesses (34 percent) were "missing."
Bill Gates's facebook post of Vietnam electric pole photo causes stir
 
Bill Gates recently posted a photo of an electric pole in Hanoi on his Facebook page to express worry about the increasing power demand in many countries like Vietnam but it accidentally stirred up the local online community. He posted the photo on September 9 with the caption "Energy demand in Vietnam is growing by up to 14% a year. This is putting its old power grid under considerable strain. How will countries like Vietnam tackle the growing demand? Tough decisions lie ahead". Though Gates meant to ask for solutions to the problem, his photo unfortunately triggered a verbal fight on his wall among Vietnamese Facebook users. 
ILO: Vietnam's social security funds at risk
 
The Viet Nam Social Security Fund (VSS) could start having deficits by 2021 and experience depletion by 2034 if no reforms are made. Vietnam should extend the coverage of the VSS pension scheme and support the development of supplementary voluntary pension schemes. 
Vietnam Labor Union Calls For Minimum-Wage Hike In 2014
 
The Vietnam General Federation of Labor (VGCL) wants the minimum wage hiked by a third next year to 4,133 million vnd/month in Region 1. The minimum wage is now 2.35 million vnd/month, in Region 1. The VGCL expects that to increase next year to VND4.113 million, and has put two alternative proposals to the National Wage Council - hike the minimum wage by either 24-36 percent or by 21-32 percent.
 
As Western companies overwhelmingly turn to low-wage countries far away from corporate headquarters to produce cheap apparel, electronics and other goods, factory inspections have become a vital link in the supply chain of overseas production. An extensive examination by The New York Times reveals how the inspection system intended to protect workers and ensure manufacturing quality is riddled with flaws. 
 
AmCham will award scholarships to 45 top students from a number of leading universities in Ho Chi Minh City after an extensive, three-month long, September - November assessment process.
Sat, 21 Sep    Application Deadline of Group 1
Sat, 28 Sep    Application Deadline of Group 2
Sat, 12 Oct     English Test
Sat, 26 Oct     Abilities Test (SHL Test)
Sat, 09 Nov    ProfileXT Assessment
Sat, 23 Nov    AmCham Scholarship Interview Day
Sat, 30 Nov    AmCham Scholarship Award Ceremony

 
Determining national characteristics is treading a minefield of inaccurate assessment and surprising exception; however, there is such a thing as a national norm. By focusing on the cultural roots of national behavior, both in society and business, we can foresee and calculate with a surprising degree of accuracy how others will react to our plans for them, and we can make certain assumptions as to how they will approach us. 
 
A new, more diverse, globally competitive industry. "Still Standing" is a fascinating look at a few NC souls who decided not to buy into the idea that their businesses had no future. From Weaverville to Lumberton, a handful of NC's entrepreneurs kept their companies going through the worst industry downturn the state had ever seen. Key role of the NC State University College of Textiles, the world's leading textile college, providing global education, training, and research, all about textiles, from molecule to market. 
 
The AmCham Member Discounts Program is provided as a Membership Benefit. It serves as a mutually beneficial opportunity for both AmCham Members and AmCham Discount Partners. Members must present their AmCham Membership Card to receive special, privileged discounts offered by AmCham Discount Partners. A listing of discount offers is available in the annual Membership Discount Handbook (hardcopy) and on the AmCham website
New World Hotel Saigon #323
76 Le Lai Street, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City