Close
Message from The Chairman
Mr. Kume Kunihide
Chairman of The Japanese Chamber of
Commerce and Industry in Ho Chi Minh City（JCCH）
（Mitsubishi Corporation（VIETNAM））
This is my second assignment in Vietnam. During my previous posting from 2014 to 2019, I served as Head of Sales at Mitsubishi Motors Vietnam and had the opportunity to travel to around 50 provinces across the country. Both professionally and personally, Vietnam was a completely new and unknown place to me. Though I have lived in nine different countries over the course of 26 years, including during my childhood, Vietnam was the first country I lived in within Asia.
Living here, I came to realize that Vietnam is a country that naturally appeals to the Japanese, and at the same time, it is a country where Japanese people are warmly welcomed. While Vietnam is economically a member of ASEAN, its cultural roots in Confucianism and Mahayana Buddhism align it with Japan as a fellow East Asian society. I strongly believe that Vietnam's future development will also follow a similar path.
In April 2024, I returned to Vietnam as the General Manager of Mitsubishi Corporation’s Ho Chi Minh City Branch. I was optimistic upon taking on this new assignment. Over the past five years, the Vietnamese economy has faced stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and monetary tightening measures in 2022. However, reflecting on how it took about two years for the economy to recover from similar measures in 2011, I am confident that the economy will begin to rebound by mid-2024.
Another reason for my optimism is that, compared to other countries, Vietnam offers significant potential for business expansion and innovation, which makes working here particularly stimulating. The GDP growth rate for 2024 is expected to be around 7%, with a target of 8% for 2025 and further ambitions of reaching 10% in the years to come. Under the leadership of the new General Secretary, the political system is undergoing reform, the economic foundation is being strengthened, and although some disruptions may arise, Vietnam is proactively embracing reforms such as government agency restructuring.
However, we live in uncertain times. Global developments - such as the imposition of retaliatory tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump - we are reminded that stability cannot be taken for granted. It
is a time when leadership capabilities are being tested. Despite these challenges, Vietnam’s growth continues, powered by its hardworking and resourceful citizens. They are people who strive constantly for progress and understand the value of resilience and perseverance.
I am committed to building a future alongside the people of Vietnam. Japan is experiencing a declining population and a shrinking workforce, which is clearly supported by data. As Japan’s regional depopulation and market contraction accelerate, Vietnam’s human resources and market are becoming increasingly important. Vietnam remains a key candidate for companies considering overseas production transfers. At the same time, Japanese companies—both domestic and local—can offer opportunities for Vietnamese professionals to thrive. To help address these challenges facing Japan, I am determined to work with JCCH member companies to co-create a prosperous future for both Vietnam and Japan.
Mutual trust—the cornerstone of the Japan–Vietnam relationship—is essential for building this shared future. In addition to a long-standing history of friendly relations, our two countries share cultural similarities, high levels of affinity, and strong mutual understanding. Of the approximately 2.3 million foreign workers in Japan, Vietnamese nationals represent the largest group, with nearly 600,000 people. This is evidence of a deep and evolving bilateral relationship.
Here in Vietnam, I aim to work with all JCCH member companies to further develop the ties that our predecessors have carefully nurtured over many years.
JCCH operates four key pillars: ① Exchange information and promote friendship among members; ② Improve the investment and business environment; ③ Support for the Japanese society; ④ Contribute to the Vietnamese society. Based on these principles, JCCH continues to host a wide variety of initiatives and events.
Although my individual contributions may be modest, I am fully committed to supporting JCCH’s activities with dedication and sincerity. I sincerely hope for your active participation and continued support.
Thank you very much
JCCH is making great efforts to improve the living environment and the business environment for its member enterprises. In order to achieve that goal, we are building close cooperative relationships with Departments and Agencies of Ho Chi Minh City & neighboring provinces. Exchanges with Vietnamese enterprises and contributive activities to Vietnam’s society are also one of our key activities. We are also organizing many events to futher strengthen the relationship between the member enterprises and their families.
Ho Chi Minh City
Once JCCH Board of Directors are officially appointed, we pay a courtesy visit to Ho Chi Minh City People’s Comittee – headquarter of the largest city of the country. We shall report the operating motto of that year as well as propose for supports for JCCH’s activities.We annually organize a Roundtable Conference with the People’s Committee to reflect expectations, requirements of JCCH’s member enterprises and efforts to improve the business environment to the authorities.
Long An Province
In addition to the courtesy visit to the Provincial People's Committee, holding dialogue conference with Long An province, JCCH also actively participates in events organized by the province such as Investment Promotion Conference, as well as inviting provincial leaders to participate in events hold by JCCH Long An Group.
Binh Duong Province
FDI conferences with Binh Duong province are organized to create opportunities for enterprises to solve their business challenges. Besides, JCCH also cooperates with Binh Duong Department of Customs to organize seminars and dialogue conference.
Dong Nai Province
Every year, in addition to holding FDI meeting with Dong Nai Province and dialogue meeting with Dong Nai Department of Customs, we also hold business matching meetings with local companies with the aim of increasing the local procurement rate of Japanese companies.
Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province
JCCH organizes anual roundtable conferences with government representatives of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province with a small scale, creating close and friendly atmosphere for exchanging opinions between enterprises and the representative of each department
Flat JCCH
The event has been held since 2017 with the theme of "A place where people can casually drop in and interact." It has become a place to connect and socicalize for JCCH members regardlss of business sector, profession, or age.
Exchange session with Japanese expats
who have just come to Vietnam to work
This is an activity organized since 2019, a place for Japanese employees newly dispatched to Vietnam to interact with each other. This activity was warmly received by creating an opportunity to connect Japanese employees who came to Vietnam to work at the same time, thereby expanding their relationships with each other
Exchange Party among members
Annually, after Annual General Meeting, we organize an exchange Party for members with the participation of over 300 member enterprises.
Exchange session between JCCH’s
Board of Directors and new members
The event has been organized since the year 2019 with a purpose to help new members get acquainted with JCCH’s activities. This is held two to three times a year, it serves as an opportunity for companies that joined at the same time to deepen their relationships with JCCH Board of Directors
Supports and visits to child welfare facilities
Since the year 2015, we have visited child welfare facilities and provided material support such as daily nescessities, and stimultaneously organized exchange activities with the children there.
Exchange session with students learning Japanese
From 2021, JCCH has been organized exchange sessions with students learning Japanese for the purpose of studying abroad in Japan or finding jobs at Japanese enterprises.
Cleaning project
JCCH organized trash-pickup activities in Ho Chi Minh City’s parks and beaches in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. The activities received high appreciation from participants, they do not only contribute to society, but also help to strengthen solidarity between teams in the company, provide a place of cohesive learning for parents and children
JCCH Sport Day
JCCH Sport Day has been held since 2022 as a successor event to the Marathon, which had been highly appreciated since its inception. The event attracts approximately 3,000 participants, including both competitors and supporters, making it JCCH's largest sports event.
JCCH Golf Tournament
JCCH Annual Golf Tournament attracts the participation of about 300 people, which makes contributions to enhancing exchanges
New Year’s Party
The New Year’s Party with the participation of Japanese exparts and their families is the biggest event in the Japanese community.
Organization of seminars
The seminars cover a wide range of topics directly related to business, such as labor law, personal income tax and tax audits…, as well as other topics related to daily life such as medical care and crime prevention. The seminars feature experts in various fields as lecturers.
JCCH membership card
JCCH Card is a membership card distributed to JCCH member companies. Members can receive benefits such as discounts by presenting this card at stores registered as sponsors (approximately 300 stores).
Member forum
JCCH's Member forum acts as a Newsletter, posting articles twice a month matching member's selling and buying needs. Information that has already been sent via e-mail is also posted on a dedicated section of JCCH website.
| Address | #Room1407, Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St., Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|
| Tel | (84-28) 3821-9369 |
| Fax | (84-28) 3821-9370 |
| info@jcchvn.org | |
| Business Hour | Monday - Friday 8:30-12:00, 13:30-17:00 |
| Holidays | Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays in Vietnam and December 30th ~ January 3rd |
| Address | #Room1407, Sun Wah Tower, 115 Nguyen Hue St., Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City |
|---|---|
| Tel | (84-28) 3821-9369 |
| Fax | (84-28) 3821-9370 |
| info@jcchvn.org | |
| Business Hour | Monday - Friday 8:30-12:00, 13:30-17:00 |
| Holidays | Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays in Vietnam and December 30th ~ January 3rd |