On Friday 3rd December, the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham Vietnam) held The European Night 2021 to mark the resilience of its members and their contribution to Vietnam’s fight against the pandemic during the fourth wave outbreak in 2021.
   
The event – held both in Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi in duplex – featured high-level speeches from Mr. Vo Van Hoan – Vice Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee; H.E. Giorgio Aliberti, EU Ambassador to Vietnam and Head of the EU Delegation; and Alain Cany, EuroCham Chairman. It also brought together not less than 13 ambassadors and consuls, Chairs of affiliated Business Associations, as well as representatives of major European enterprises and investors.
   
In a very warm and joyful ambiance, the event was organized to reconnect business leaders, rebuild confidence, and renew optimism after the difficulties of recent months.
Amazing Duo piano performance in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh marked the spirit of the night with the participation of the famous pianist Trang Trinh and the incredible duo Tuan Manh & Phiphi
   
It also marked the conclusion of EuroCham’s ‘Breathe Again’ fundraising campaign and awarded the contribution of the initiators and the operations team. During the fourth wave outbreak, European companies and investors made direct and indirect donations worth over 1.5 million euro, enabling the purchase of much-needed medical equipment for hospitals in some of the hardest-hit provinces.

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PHOTO ALBUM in HANOI | HCMC
     
Business Resilience Awards
To highlight the resilience of European enterprise during the recent outbreak, as well as to recognize their support for Vietnam during the fourth wave outbreak, EuroCham presented three awards at the event, sponsored respectively by THACO, Standard Chartered and BlueScope.
Over 50 nominations were received in total, representing companies from across the EU and EuroCham’s affiliated business associations. Following careful deliberation and for this special year, an independent panel of judges selected two winners for each of the categories:

Best initiative to support Vietnam during the fourth wave of COVID-19: Binh Duong-based industrial infrastructure developer Becamex and the fast-growing retail company, expanded to include the leading exclusive importer and distributor for the region, Annam Group were recognized for their incredible contributions to Vietnam’s fight against the pandemic.

Best management initiative to support workers and their families: The judges awarded this accolade to Dutch animal nutrition supplier De Heus and German supplier products and services, to shape many areas of life Bosch, for their efforts to support staff not just with their livelihoods but also their health and wellbeing during the recent outbreak.

Best green and sustainable business: Even during the pandemic, European companies remained focused on a green and sustainable future for Vietnam. Two of the leading companies in the field were recognized for this award: Agri-food business Orlar and with its positive impact on the Environment, les Vergers du Mekong

Alain Cany, EuroCham Chairman, said:
“Despite the challenges of COVID-19 in general – and the fourth wave in particular – European business stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Vietnam during these difficult times. Our members donated over 1.5 million euro to our ‘Breathe Again’ campaign, providing essential medical equipment for hard-pressed hospitals and front-line medical professionals. This is testament to the generous spirit of our members and their long-term commitment to Vietnam.
 
This is even more remarkable when we consider the serious impact that the pandemic had on our member companies, their staff, and communities. You will hear in our business awards later how European companies went to incredible lengths to protect the health and wellbeing of their staff, innovated to keep their businesses open, and raised awareness of the distress of those most in need.
 
Although we are not out of the woods, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Vietnam is beginning to return to business as usual and life as normal. So, this evening I do not want to insist too much on the challenges of the past. Instead, I want to focus on the future of our chamber: we now need to shift our focus from surviving the pandemic to developing in the ‘new normal’ “.
  

Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam
 “The pandemic Covid-19 undeniably has exerted a big impact on our business activities, but it cannot stop us from moving ahead. Today’s gathering and Business Awards ceremony is the best example that by working together, we can grow stronger, and we can better adapt the new normal in the context of the pandemic.
   
Let me draw you attention to one positive aspect: despite the challenges of lockdowns and travel restrictions, companies, and people of the two economies can now benefit from the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). It has become an important vehicle helping exporters from Europe and Vietnam to overcome the bumpy road of the global crisis and disruption of supply chains”.
 

Mr. Vo Van Hoan, Vice Chairman of HCMC People’s Committee said:
 “On this occasion, on behalf of City leaders, I would like to thank the EU, EU Member States and EuroCham for your valuable and timely support for Viet Nam, including Ho Chi Minh City in the fight against the Covid-19, especially the Breathe Again Viet Nam Campaign launched by EuroCham.
 
With the support of international friends and the efforts of the City, Ho Chi Minh City has basically overcome the most difficult period, proactively transitioned to the period of safe, flexible adaptation and effective disease control to restore production and supply chains. We wish to see you prosper, even stronger than the pre-Covid period. I have seen the light of hope and success behind the clouds, and I hope this light will bless you with resilience and prosperity in the future”.
 
 
Especially, we would like to thank our sponsors in Ho Chi Minh and in Hanoi
BMW, BNP Paribas, Piaggio, Standard Chartered, BlueScope, Annam professional, Park Hyatt, Metropole Hanoi, Croplife, Pernod Ricard, Daloc/ We wine, Red Apron, Rheinland-Pfalz, Determinant, L’Oreal, Grand-place Puratos, Perfetti-Van Melle