(HCMC – April 24th, 2009) – The anxiety that has built up in the community for the past few days has been obvious. What have we been doing? What have been discussed by the distinguished speakers? What might the impacts from these activities be in the current socio-economic climate, for Asia in general and Vietnam in particular?

We are now reporting from Duxton Hotel's meeting room 925, just a few hours after the conclusion of the 19th Asian Corporate Conference.

 

One of the most amazing things for us was the honour to listen to high-profile speakers deliver their keynote addresses and participate in panel discussions. Among the profound delegates were Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Thien Nhan, US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Michalak, President of Tri Viet University Project Madam Ton Nu Thi Ninh, US former Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Vice President Institute of Development Studies Pham Chi Lan and Managing General Partner of IDG Ventures Vietnam Henry Nguyen, to name just a few.

Not only did we attend the various sessions, but we also had the opportunity to interact directly with government leaders, diplomats, executives, entrepreneurs and the press.

The conference provided timely and relevant insights into the global socio-economic climate, the role of Asia and the importance of US-Asia relation. While engaging the audience throughout its two-day intensive discussions, the conference drew great attention and interest during the impressive yet comprehensive speech by Dr. Nguyen Thien Nhan on human resources development.
 

However, the really unforgettable moment only came on the last day of the conference when US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Michalak introduced us – the three proud winners of the Asia Society Contest to the audience just before his opening speech for the most anticipated session on Human Talent Pipeline: Education & Capacity Building.
 

The conference emotionally concluded as we had to bid Asia Society's staff farewell. Time flies, doesn't it? There have been so many extraordinary happenings in such a short space of time that we can’t wait to share with you more in the next few days.

Please stay tuned…

 

Click here to view:

"19th Asian Corporate Conference - Special Report by Blogger Nguyễn Phương Lan"

"19th Asian Corporate Conference - Special Report by Blogger Trần Bảo Duy"

"19th Asian Corporate Conference - Special Report by Blogger Phạm Phương Huyền"

Featured blogs from contestants of Asia Society Contest 2009:

[#1] 19th Asian Corporate Conference - Not Utopia - by Contestant orchidee [her audio response]

[#2] 19th Asian Corporate Conference - Ừh thì chúng ta trẻ - by Contestant orchidee

The Asia Society Contest team is pleased to announce the 3 chosen Bloggers:

Trần Bảo Duy (profile: tranbaoduy)

 Location: Singapore, Singapore

 Education Question: Vision of our future syllabi and textbooks
 

 Nguyễn Phương Lan (profile: lan_nguyen)

 Location: Ha Noi, Vietnam

 Vietnam Question: A picture of Vietnam

 Phạm Phương Huyền (profile: Phamphu...)

 Location: Ha Noi, Vietnam

 Education Question: Sex Education in Vietnamese Schools


 

Congratulate Trần Bảo Duy, Nguyễn Phương Lan, Phạm Phương Huyền! 

The Bloggers will attend the Asian Corporate Conference from April 22 to April 24, 2009 in Sheraton Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, where they will interact with government and corporate leaders.  Follow their blogs to receive updates from the Conference!

To all candidates and users, it has been an exciting journey organizing the Contest with all of you.  We have surely learned a lot and promise to do better and serve you better in the future.  Thanks for all your constructive feedback and enthusiastic participation. 

The Asia Society Contest team

Join the Asia Society Contest for a lifetime opportunity to:

- Attend one of the most prestigious international conferences

- Network with government leaders, business executives and entrepreneurs (see the amazing list of speakers)

- Learn about economic, business and social issues from the movers and shakers

- Report the conference news through your own voice

- Vote for the most thoughtful and visionary ideas for Vietnam in the future  

Each year, the Asia Society hosts the high-profile, two-and-a-half-day Asian Corporate Conference, focusing on timely economic and business issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Since 1989, the Asian Corporate Conference has attracted an audience of more than 16,000 government leaders, diplomatic leaders, high-level executives, entrepreneurs, academics as well as prominent media makers from over 40 countries.

The Asian Corporate Conference 2009 will take place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam from April 22 to 24. In an effort to engage the young generation with business and social issues in Vietnam as well as in the region, the Asia Society and VietAbroader have partnered to invite talented Vietnamese students and young professionals across the country to participate in this event as independent bloggers and report from the conference to the online community.