AmCham hosted a lunch event on January 18 to celebrate its 25th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the normalization of economic relations between Vietnam and the United States. Over 150 members and friends attended.
In remarks at the event, AmCham Chair Natasha Ansell said, “The normalization of economic relations between Vietnam and the US opened the door for US companies and investors here.” She also announced a new program called the AmCham Leadership Development Academy to honor AmCham’s 25 years of promoting a better business climate in Vietnam for all companies and investors. The new program will offer learning and networking opportunities for young Vietnamese business leaders and is part of AmCham’s ongoing commitment to create long-term economic and social value to the country and to the Vietnamese people.
The anniversary event featured keynote speeches by Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and former Secretary of State John Kerry. At the event, Kerry was praised for his decades-long effort to improve bilateral relations with Vietnam. Kerry served as US Secretary of State from 2013 to 2017 following nearly three decades as a United States Senator from Massachusetts. A decorated Vietnam War veteran, leading environmentalist, and 2004 nominee for president of the United States, Kerry remains one of the most respected voices on the world stage.
Speaking at the event, Ford Vietnam Managing Director Pham Van Dung noted that trade and investment remain the cornerstones of the US-Vietnam relationship. “Things have changed a lot since 1994 and we now see American companies operating across the spectrum of economy activity here, investing in manufacturing and infrastructure, as well as providing high quality consumer goods, agricultural and industrial products, and technology and services. American companies have invested billions of dollars here, integrating Vietnam into the global supply chain, creating quality jobs, and helping the country become more productive, efficient, safe and cleaner,” Dung said. He added that much work remains and AmCham will continue to bring together business and government leaders to help create an attractive, transparent, and stable business environment in Vietnam.
VCCI Chairman Vu Tien Loc congratulated AmCham on its anniversary and said, “VCCI highly appreciates and recognizes the outstanding role played by AmCham as a loyal partner who has always collaborated effectively with VCCI in policy recommendations and business-to-business connectivity.”
The anniversary event was attended by many leading business and government leaders as well as a number of senior leaders from the Office of the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance. In addition, many of the former US and Vietnamese Ambassadors that helped grow the strong friendship between the two countries participated including Pete Peterson, Michael Michalak, Le Van Bang, Pham Quang Vinh, and Nguyen Tam Chien.
Click HERE to view the event agenda and click HERE to view images from the anniversary event.
