From 3 - 5 April 2008, NUSBSA and NUS Business School organized a business mission trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Participants visited five companies during the trip and enjoyed a networking dinner on the second evening.

The 30-strong group comprising mostly alumni members, kick started the trip with a visit to the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP). Following a tour of the VSIP and its recent extensions, the group was shown a presentation on the business opportunities at the VSIP Head Office.

That evening the group enjoyed a cruise along the Saigon River to savor the sights of the Ho Chi Minh City's waterfront night scene.

The following day was marked by visits to VinaCapital, Accor Group Asia Pacific and Keppel Land Vietnam. At Keppel Land, the group was hosted by Mr Chang Si Kean, Senior Investment Manager at The Estella, Keppel Land's first high-end apartment project in Vietnam.

The highlight of the mission trip was the 'NUS Business School Alumni-Industry Networking Evening', which was held at the Duxton Hotel, Saigon. The event was graced by Guest-of-Honor, Mr Jimmy Chua, Consul-General from Singapore Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Participants enjoyed a night of fine dining and mingling with local partners, hosted by our Vietnamese alumna Ms Nguyen Hoai Thu (BBA Hons 2003). Following addresses by Mr Peter Tay (MBA 1987, BBA Hons 1975), President of NUSBSA and Mr Tan Boon Chin (APEX MBA 2003), Chief-De-Mission, NUSBSA Business Mission to Ho Chi Minh City, they witnessed the installation

Vice Dean Professor Prem Shamdasani presented appointment letters to key office bearers of the NUS Business School Ho Chi Minh City Alumni Chapter.

Mr Huynh Quang Hai (MSc (MOT) 2000), CEO and Executive Director of Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park leads the HCMC Alumni Chapter as Chairman, while Mr Hoang Duc Minh (MBA 2005), an Associate at VinaCapital Investment Management Ltd and Mr Nguyen Duc Minh (MBA 2006) Senior Investment Executive, Keppel Land Vietnam fill the Vice-Chairman posts.

Guests also listened to Mr Peter Amaczi, Business Development Director of PricewaterhouseCoopers Vietnam, give a one presentation on Vietnam's financial market and another on its legal framework. The local legal framework was also given due attention in a presentation by Mr Nguyen Chinh, Partner at Nghiem & Chinh Lawyers.

The following day, the group visited L'Oreal Vietnam. Mr Nguyen Ngoc Phong Dinh, its Business Unit General Manager brought everyone through a tour of the premises and gave a short presentation about the company. L'Oreal also hosted a lunch for the participants, rounding off the last of the five company visits.

The company visits and presentations touching on diverse industries and compact itinerary mixing both business with pleasure proved to be a winning formula for the enriching trip.

Commented current MBA student Ms Ng Li Shan, "The trip provided a very good opportunity to learn about companies in Ho Chi Minh City. The company visits especially provided us with a very good insight of Vietnam and its business culture."

GANO wishes to thank alumni who helped set up company visits, contributing their time and effort back to the school. Trips like these help to add value and enjoyment to professional and personal lives of alumni.

Added Mr Yuen Swee Yoong (BBA Hons 1978), "We enjoyed this excellent opportunity to network and build bonds!"