- 12 – Clubs and associations
- 1985 – BNI founded in the US
- 1 / trade – Per BNI chapter
- 6 – Checks before joining
💡 Why join a business club in Vietnam?
For business owners, the right club is more than socializing. It is a source of referred clients, a place to learn from those further ahead, a channel for policy updates and sometimes the way to meet investors, partners or key hires. The wrong club, on the other hand, costs time and money without returning value.
This guide covers 12 reputable clubs and associations by purpose: winning clients (BNI), developing young entrepreneurs (YBA, VYEA), representing business (VCCI, HUBA), peer learning with international leaders (EO, YPO) and connecting with foreign-invested companies (AmCham, EuroCham).
📋 Quick comparison of the 12 clubs
- BNI Vietnam (Business Network International) – Best for: SME owners, service professionals, B2B sellers; Main format: Weekly breakfast chapter meetings
- Ho Chi Minh City Young Business Association (YBA HCM) – Best for: Young entrepreneurs in Ho Chi Minh City; Main format: Seminars, networking, special-interest clubs
- Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association (VYEA) – Best for: Young entrepreneurs nationwide; Main format: National body with provincial member associations
- Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) – Best for: Businesses of all sizes, industry associations; Main format: Corporate membership, trade promotion
- Saigon Entrepreneurs Club – Best for: Business owners across industries in Ho Chi Minh City; Main format: Trade networking, charity activities
- Entrepreneurs 2030 Club (Saigon Times Club) – Best for: Young, dynamic entrepreneurs; Main format: Networking and experience sharing
- Ho Chi Minh City Association for Women Entrepreneurs (HAWEE) – Best for: Women entrepreneurs and business leaders; Main format: Leadership training, networking, startup support
- Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA) – Best for: Companies operating in Ho Chi Minh City; Main format: Corporate membership, sector clubs, policy dialogue
- EO Vietnam (Entrepreneurs' Organization) – Best for: Founders whose companies have reached a set revenue level; Main format: Confidential small-group forums, global events
- YPO Vietnam (Young Presidents' Organization) – Best for: Chairs and CEOs of large companies; Main format: Global CEO network, forums, learning
- ActionLEADERS Business Club – Best for: SME owners seeking disciplined growth; Main format: Coaching, goal setting, measurement
- Foreign chambers of commerce (AmCham, EuroCham...) – Best for: FDI companies, exporters, foreign partners; Main format: Sector committees, bilingual events, advocacy
🏆 The 12 reputable business clubs in detail
1. 🤝 BNI Vietnam (Business Network International)
A referral networking organization founded by Dr Ivan Misner in the US in 1985, with many chapters in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces. Each chapter accepts only one member per profession, and members meet weekly to pass business to each other under the "Givers Gain" philosophy. Ideal if you want a steady flow of referred clients - in exchange for a high attendance commitment.
Best for: SME owners, service professionals, B2B sellers
2. 🚀 Ho Chi Minh City Young Business Association (YBA HCM)
Founded in 1994, one of the longest-running young entrepreneur bodies in Ho Chi Minh City. Activities include leadership seminars, member-to-member trade connections and affiliated clubs (such as the Golden Members Club for leading business figures).
Best for: Young entrepreneurs in Ho Chi Minh City
3. 🇻🇳 Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association (VYEA)
The national body for young entrepreneurs, active since 1993, with young entrepreneur associations in many provinces. A good fit for cross-regional networking and private-sector policy forums.
Best for: Young entrepreneurs nationwide
4. 🏛️ Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)
Vietnam's largest body representing the business community. Not a club in the narrow sense, but members join trade missions, policy dialogues and training, and receive regulatory updates - valuable when a business needs a voice with government.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes, industry associations
5. 🌆 Saigon Entrepreneurs Club
Founded in 2005, bringing together business owners from many industries regardless of age or gender. Core activities are trade networking among members and charity programmes.
Best for: Business owners across industries in Ho Chi Minh City
6. 📰 Entrepreneurs 2030 Club (Saigon Times Club)
Part of the Saigon Times Club network, for a young, dynamic and creative generation of entrepreneurs. Its edge is the link to a business media group, giving access to speakers and market insights.
Best for: Young, dynamic entrepreneurs
7. 👩💼 Ho Chi Minh City Association for Women Entrepreneurs (HAWEE)
A community for women entrepreneurs in Ho Chi Minh City, focused on leadership development, business connections and support for women founders.
Best for: Women entrepreneurs and business leaders
8. 🏢 Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA)
A major business association in Ho Chi Minh City with many affiliated sector clubs and associations. Suited to companies seeking local B2B connections and a channel to raise policy issues with the city government.
Best for: Companies operating in Ho Chi Minh City
9. 🌏 EO Vietnam (Entrepreneurs' Organization)
A global network for founders; the Vietnam chapter launched in 2016. Its hallmark is the "forum" - confidential groups of 8-10 meeting monthly to share real experience - plus a network across 60+ countries. Admission depends on company revenue; check current criteria on the EO website.
Best for: Founders whose companies have reached a set revenue level
10. 🎯 YPO Vietnam (Young Presidents' Organization)
A global network of chairs and chief executives leading large companies, with admission based on title, age and company size. Suited to senior leaders who want to learn from international peers.
Best for: Chairs and CEOs of large companies
11. ⚡ ActionLEADERS Business Club
Founded in 2020 by business coach Kevin Nguyen Kien Tri. The club is action-oriented: members set goals, then measure and review business performance in regular cycles with peer accountability.
Best for: SME owners seeking disciplined growth
12. 🌐 Foreign chambers of commerce (AmCham, EuroCham...)
Chambers such as AmCham Vietnam, EuroCham, KoCham and JCCI connect foreign businesses in Vietnam. Vietnamese companies aiming to supply FDI firms or grow exports can often join as associate members.
Best for: FDI companies, exporters, foreign partners
🧭 Choose a club by goal
- Steady new clients through referrals: BNI, Saigon Entrepreneurs Club
- Building leadership early in your career: YBA HCM, VYEA, Entrepreneurs 2030 Club
- Policy voice and trade promotion: VCCI, HUBA
- Peer learning on hard problems: EO Vietnam, YPO Vietnam
- Disciplined growth with accountability: ActionLEADERS
- Women entrepreneurs and leaders: HAWEE
- Selling to FDI companies, exporting: AmCham, EuroCham, KoCham, JCCI
🧾 Working in tax or accounting? See the professional bodies HTCAA, VAA, VICA and the HCMC Accounting Association under Professional associations.
✅ 6 checks before paying a membership fee
- Legal standing: Associations should have an establishment decision or approved charter; affiliated clubs should name their parent body. Avoid self-styled "entrepreneur clubs" with no legal entity charging high fees.
- Who the members are: Ask to attend 1-2 meetings as a guest to see whether members match the clients or partners you need.
- The real cost: Beyond annual dues there are event, meal, sponsorship and merchandise costs. Ask for an estimated full-year total.
- Time commitment: BNI meets weekly; EO/YPO forums meet monthly. Join only if you can keep the schedule.
- How value is measured: Good clubs track referrals, deals and events. Set your own targets and review after six months.
- Get your business "digitally ready": A website, company profile, digital signature and e-contracts help you close club opportunities quickly - even with partners in other cities or countries.
❓ FAQ on business clubs in Vietnam
Which business club is best for finding clients in Vietnam?
BNI specializes in referral networking: each chapter accepts one member per profession and meets weekly to pass business. The Saigon Entrepreneurs Club is also strong on trade networking.
Is BNI reputable?
BNI is an international business networking organization founded in the US in 1985, with chapters in many Vietnamese cities. Results depend on the chapter and your commitment, so attend as a guest first.
Which associations suit young entrepreneurs?
The Ho Chi Minh City Young Business Association (YBA HCM), the Vietnam Young Entrepreneurs Association (VYEA) and the Entrepreneurs 2030 Club are popular choices.
How do EO and YPO differ from other clubs?
EO and YPO are global networks with admission criteria (revenue, title, company size) and confidential small-group forums for candid peer learning.
How much does membership cost?
Costs vary by organization and year, covering dues, events, meals and sponsorships. Ask for an estimated full-year total before joining.
How can I tell if a club is reputable?
Check its legal standing (establishment decision, charter, parent body), attend a few meetings, talk to current members and insist on transparent costs.
📰 Legal basis and sources
- 10 câu lạc bộ uy tín dành cho doanh nhân - globaledutainment.vn
- Entrepreneur group launches VN chapter (EO Vietnam, 2016) - vietnamnews.vn
- TP.HCM chính thức ra mắt chapter BNI đầu tiên tại khu vực quận Tân Bình - doanhnghiephoinhap.vn
- Chặng đường 10 năm của Hội Nữ doanh nhân TP.HCM - vietnamfinance.vn
- Liên đoàn Thương mại và Công nghiệp Việt Nam (VCCI) - vcci.com.vn
ℹ️ For reference only, compiled from public information; not a ranking and not sponsored. Admission criteria, costs and activities may change - contact each organization for current details.