Just two years ago, when the global economic crisis was deteriorating, Vietnamese people stood on the top of the world in terms of economic prospect optimism, according to a survey by the French BVA Institute. But, at this point of time when economic crisis and native problems permeated the life of people and businesses, such optimism breaks. However, Vietnamese people whose natures have been well-known for industriousness, creativity and tenacity, always want to overcome all hardships standing in the way. The Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day, October 13, 2012, fall on a time full of such mood.
It is easy to see that this year’s celebrations of Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day, October 13, have gone into depth and spread onto the community. Celebratory activities do not include only honouring and celebratory activities but also carry current burning concerns of the country.
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) continues to be the central host of commemorative events. A much-awaited annual event is the gala eve for executives to meet, exchange and show respect to each others. And, there are a series of seminars on current burning concerns of businesspeople. The annual golf tournament organised by the Vietnam Business Forum Magazine takes place during this period. Besides, a tennis tournament hosted by Business Forum Newspaper also asserts its prestige and appeal to sporty businesspeople. Cultural, sports and exchange programmes provide opportunities for businesspeople to meet each other, share business experiences, encourage and help each other to deal with difficulties and challenges, and build corporate culture. Some notable events are enough to show the spreading and deepening effect of the Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day on social life.
In mid-September, the maiden Caravan Programme 2012 themed “Connecting Itinerary" was officially launched on a shuttle route from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Yen province via Ninh Thuan and Khanh Hoa. The programme was hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Business Association (HUBA)in cooperation with the Vietnam Advertising Development Centre (VADC) and HCM City-based Binh Thanh Business Association in commemoration of the Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day 2012.
Caravan brings together more than 120 businesspeople and leaders of State agencies, business associations, and business clubs among others. Lasting until September 23, the programme consists of such activities as seminar on “Connecting agriculture, countryside, farmers and enterprises to overcome difficulties in crisis time" and local communication events. In addition, businesses grant scholarships to poor students with outstanding study records in Ninh Thuan and Phu Yen provinces and raise funds for the construction of “For My Beloved Truong Sa” School.
This is part of HUBA’s event chain on this occasion. The most notable programme is the poll for “Ho Chi Minh City Entrepreneur, Enterprise of the Year 2012" to honour, respect and encourage entrepreneurs and enterprises with outstanding production and business performances and encouraging contributions to charity works. The ceremony in honour of Ho Chi Minh City Entrepreneur, Enterprise of the Year 2012 is slated to take place on October 13, 2012.
HUBA also hosts a “Honouring Vietnamese goods” fair with the theme of "Vietnamese Goods - Linked." The fair has more than 400 booths for enterprises to display. Besides, HUBA - VBL Tennis Cup and Karaoke Festival called “HCM City Business Singing 2012 - Arirang Awards" will are scheduled for opening during the time. A series of other programmes and seminars will also be organised, including Luong Van Can’s money-making principle, connecting agriculture, countryside, farmers and businesses to withstand difficulties in the economic crisis time.
On the celebratory occasion, the Saigon Entrepreneurs Club will organise its largest chain of events this year in October 2012 with many noticeable activities like Saigon Entrepreneur Golf Tournament scheduled for October 5 with 144 golfers from many provinces and cities in the country registered for competition. Besides, the club will also host other activities like Luong Van Can Talents Award, business exchange - Luong Van Can Talents Club, and the Saigon Entrepreneurs Gala in commemoration of the club’s eighth birthday on October 11, 2012.
In response to the Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day, the Vietnam Association of Consumer Goods Development (VACOD) in collaboration with TH Group organised a business exchange programme for businesspeople in northern, central and southern regions on September 30 and October 1, 2012. The programme was themed "Entrepreneurs with Uncle Ho Home" and "Entrepreneurs with Home Islands.”
Businesspeople, who are compared to “Peacetime soldiers” on the marketplace, are sharing forces to power up the nation to overcome crisis to continue development.
| On October 13, 1945, only a few days after the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was founded, President Ho Chi Minh wrote a letter to Vietnamese industrialists and merchants. Nearly 50 years later, October 13 was made the Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day. |
In the past two years, the business community has faced with numerous difficulties in production and business activities due to impacts of ongoing global economic crisis without an ending point in sight. However, many enterprises are trying their best to maintain and develop production and business activities, thus lending their hand to stabilise the economy, create jobs for people and, ensure social security. Businesses have to pass through a lot of difficulties to survive and develop. Many are considering closures, business sale or business shifting.
If businesses are asked what they want most now, it is certain that most of them prefer stable macroeconomic policies to immediate bailout. The greatest strength of entrepreneurs is their willpower and mentality to overcome difficulties. They always move forward and see challenges as opportunities to grow up, and show their calibre and intelligence.
The crisis may force many companies to the wall and go bankrupt. But, they will return more strongly when they see favourable conditions.
Optimism and willpower are in the blood of Vietnamese people as well as Vietnamese businesspeople. These natures live forever with the nation, in both the past wartime and the current peacetime. And, the Vietnam Entrepreneurs Day is a reminder of this fact.
Vietnamese
