Who We Are

The Australian Chamber of Commerce, Vietnam (AusCham) is a licensed foreign business group in Vietnam established to represent the interests of Australian business operating in Vietnam.

AusCham has chapters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The chapters generally operate independently but combine on issues of national concern such as our Business Journal and website. Each chapter has its own committee and a National Executive (consisting of the President, Vice President, National Secretary and National Treasurer) which represents the overall interests of AusCham.

AusCham has been assisting members for in excess of 8 years. Our chapters are intended to be instruments, through which our members may express their views about the business environment in Vietnam. AusCham also views social interaction as integral to business and we will continue to organise the best ball in Vietnam each year, the paramount business awards in Vietnam and social evenings and events for members and the wider communities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Members of AusCham are Australian citizens, persons working with Australian projects in Vietnam or persons working with organisations that have a link to Australia or Australian business in Vietnam.
AusCham’s members are market leaders in Vietnam in areas such as banking, construction, manufacturing, human resources, legal and accounting services and telecommunications. The corporate membership represents a wide cross section of companies, from large Australian companies to small and medium size companies across all industries.

History

AusCham was established in 1995 as the Australian Business Group of Vietnam (ABGV) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The official name change to the Australian Chamber of Commerce, Vietnam took place in October 2003.
The two groups were originally established as independent initiatives of the then Australian Ambassador and Consul General. The two groups developed separately but consulted with one another to present a common approach when dealing with both the Vietnamese and Australian governments.
With the passing of legislation on foreign business groups, the two groups formally combined to create what was then called the Australian Business Group of Vietnam (AusCham). In September 1998, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee issued AusCham's licence, which was one of the first business group licences issued. Following registration of the initial charter, it was amended in January 1999 to provide for the Chapter structure, which was approved and registered in mid 1999.

How to join AusCham

In order to become a member of the Australian Chamber of Commerce Vietnam, it is necessary to complete the attached form and send it to the Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi office. After confirmation of receipt you will be contacted directly and arrangements made for payment of your membership fee.

Individual Memberships

A natural person may become an individual member of AusCham. This category of membership is independent of one's employer. The membership rights are owned by the person and not the employer. In addition, individual members from the same company are not eligible for the discounts that are offered to bulk corporate memberships.

• Ordinary (voting). To be eligible for ordinary individual membership, the individual must be resident in Vietnam and have substantial Australian ties.
  
  
• Associate (non-voting). To be eligible for associate membership, the individual must be resident in Vietnam and must demonstrate a business link to Australia or Australian business in Vietnam.
  
  
• Alumni (non-voting). Australian Universities (including Australian Universities operating in Vietnam), or alumni associations that become ordinary corporate members may invite their Vietnamese members to become Associate Corporate Members at a discounted rate.
  
  
• Non-Resident Individual Membership (non-voting) Australians or other Individuals who are not residing in Vietnam but have business links or travel to Vietnam. This is offered at a discounted rate.
  
  
• Australian Volunteers (non voting) Australian individuals volunteering in Vietnam or individuals volunteering for an Australian-linked charity or NGO. AusCham membership is offered at a substantially discounted rate.

Corporate Memberships

Companies and business entities may join Auscham as Corporate members. A corporate membership means that individual members are nominated by the company but the membership itself is owned by the company. The practical effect of this is if an individual changes employment throughout the membership year, they do not take the membership rights with them, and instead, the company can nominate another individual within the company.

• Ordinary (voting). To be eligible for ordinary corporate membership, the company or organisation must be operating in Vietnam and have substantial Australian ties.
  
• Associate (non-voting). To be eligible for associate corporate membership, the company or organisation must be operating in Vietnam and can demonstrate a business link to Australia or Australian business in Vietnam.
  
• Non-Resident Associate Corporate Member (non-voting) Australian, or non-Australian companies with substantial business links to Australia or Vietnam, located outside of Vietnam. Membership in this category is offered at a discounted rate.
  
• NGO (non-voting) legal non-governmental organisation which has substantial ties to Australia, membership is offered at a substantially discounted rate.

Benefits for members

In addition to the very valuable business and social networking opportunities membership of the AusCham presents, the following benefits are provided to members of AusCham:

• Business Journal: All members will receive the AusCham Business Journal on a monthly basis by email. The AusCham Business Journal contains information and invitations to current events, business news, listings of opportunities, as well as other information of interest to members.
  
• Member rates: members will be offered preferential rates at AusCham functions. Non-members will generally pay 25% higher rates.
  
  
• Member directory – website: All members have the opportunity to have their business contact details to be displayed on the AusCham website.
  
• Advertising opportunities: Members will have the chance to advertise business and general opportunities in any or all of the following ways; inclusion in AusCham e-journal, as part of the member’s directory entry, on the AusCham website and the fortnightly update emails. Click here to download the Advertising Package 2009 for all AusCham advertising mediums.
  
• Discounts: All members (and designated partners) holding a current membership card will be entitled to discounts and special benefits offered from time to time by various suppliers and businesses in Vietnam.
  
• Nation-wide links: Through the co-operation between the Hanoi and HCMC Chapters of the AusCham Members across the country will enjoy reciprocal benefits and the opportunity to network when traveling away from their home base.