AmCham Hanoi is a voluntary, non-partisan, non-profit membership organization that is funded entirely by our membership and activities. The organization does not receive any financial assistance from the United States Government or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC. The primary missions of AmCham Vietnam are to (1) promote American business in Vietnam, providing support and assistance to American companies, and (2) to assist in implementing the normalization of relations between the United States and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam by presenting a united American business voice to the main decision makers in all branches of the government of the United States.

This year, Vietnam celebrates 20 years of its successful Doi Moi reform process which has moved the country from central planning to a mostly-market economy. Doi Moi’s success in freeing the Vietnamese people to express their natural ambition and entrepreneurial spirit is now enabling the country to transition from a low to a middle income country.

The reform program continues today as Vietnam prepares for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). AmCham strongly supports and encourages Vietnam’s accession at the earliest possible date, and we are currently working hard to secure a successful Congressional vote on approving permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status for Vietnam so that American companies can participate in the benefits of Vietnam's WTO accession agreement. WTO accession will enable Vietnam to complete the process of international economic integration and will allow the country to compete globally on an equal footing with its neighbors.

Vietnam continues to show strong economic growth with a GDP that rose 8.4 per cent last year. The past year also saw foreign direct investment rise 25 per cent and the value of imports and exports rise 18 per cent. Strong growth continued in other important areas such as tourism, domestic consumption, services, and new enterprises.

The BTA is now in its 5th year of action and the outlook for American business here has consistently improved. Trade between the U.S. and Vietnam last year was more than five times higher than in 2001 led by tremendous growth in Vietnamese exports to the U.S. which grew from $800 in 2001 to over $6.5 billion last year.

Vietnam also has the honor and responsibility of being the host country for APEC 2006. This year’s theme is, "Towards a Dynamic Community for Sustainable Development and Prosperity," and Hanoi will be the host city for a number of large events including the CEO Summit and the Leader’s Summit in November which will be attended by many heads of state including U.S. President George W. Bush.

2006 is an exciting year in Vietnam and AmCham looks forward to providing members with many opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and lobbying to create a more attractive economic climate for our members.

Our membership is a diverse group of well-experienced professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and know-how to any company, non-governmental organization, or individual doing business or considering doing business in Vietnam. The membership is comprised of citizens from 28 different countries, representing a wide range of organizations from small businesses and NGOs to the largest multi-national corporations in the world. Some of our members have just arrived in Hanoi, and others have lived here for more than a decade. This diversity is our strength. The big and small, and the old and new, working together on our long-term commitments to Vietnam, its economy and its people.