AmCham Vietnam Hosts ‘Champions Of Diversity And Inclusion Panel Pledge’ To Promote Equity

The definition of running a good business has evolved. We’re not only talking about doubling the revenue or winning awards or even keeping the largest chunk of consumers. While money and clients matter, it’s critical to understand why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion matter just as much. Considering the increasing integration of the global economy, achieving diversity in the workplace isn’t just a smart move to make, it’s a must.

However, most people imagine a diversified workplace as a working environment that includes employees of different genders, racial backgrounds, and ethnicities. It’s true, yes, but there’s more to it than just these.

What’s alarming is some companies believe that having at least three different shades of skin tone already works, or hiring a gay man to handle accounting or more female interns.

But why take the initiative of creating a diverse environment in the workplace? The short answer is, the business will grow in a number of ways. The longer explanation is this: When you put a variety of individuals together in the same room, you’ll get different perspectives and opinions that can benefit your business.

In Vietnam, where women are still in a constant battle to carve their names in fields dominated by men, private corporations, as well as Consul Generals and chambers of commerce all, joined together to seal a commitment to actively include different voices during public and professional forums.

On March 8, as the world celebrated International Women’s Day, the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Vietnam hosted Champions of Diversity and Inclusion: Panel Pledge at the Reverie Saigon. The event was coordinated with and co-hosted by an inter-chamber coalition of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion advocates, including AmCham; Australian Chamber of Commerce Vietnam; British Chamber of Commerce Vietnam; Canadian Chamber of Commerce Vietnam; and EuroCham Vietnam. P&G Vietnam and Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam sponsored the event.

The Panel Pledge is both an achievable step to enhance Diversity and Inclusion at public and professional forums and a public commitment made by company leaders and senior executives to support and promote gender equity in thought leadership at every forum and influence system-wide change.

Thirty-nine individuals signed or pledged to sign the panel pledge including eight Consul Generals, 10 Chairs and Executive Directors of five chambers of commerce, and 21 business leaders.

Hao Tran, CEO of Vietcetera Media, was among the 21 business leaders who pledged to produce media content with a diverse and inclusive representation of voices.

"Vietcetera Media is committed to a diverse workplace,” he said. “Today, we have a team of more than 100 in our HCMC and Hanoi offices with a breakdown of 60% women and 40% men. We are also proud to have a representation from LGBTQIA+.”

With the shared commitment with the rest of Vietnam’s key industry players, Hao is looking forward to investing in more programs internally while strengthening the dialogue and action in working with clients and partners.

"We are proud to pledge to diverse and inclusive panels across our events, representation of voices in our media content, and of course, within Vietcetera’s company culture.”

All 39 signatories pledged to actively encourage women's voices in all their diversity, persevere to achieve change, and in the long run, build a culture that encourages the inclusion of diverse voices.

The event also featured a diverse panel of business leaders who discussed their personal and corporate commitments to advancing DEI, including P&G General Director Sai Ponugoti, Standard Chartered CEO Michele Wee, Unilever Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Bich Van, and Artemis Digital Founder & CEO Samuel Walter.