Sonadezi’s story: Diary of office phone calls

Excerpt from the international telephone call report of Mr. Chu Thanh Son – the first office phone operator and former Sonadezi’s BOD Member and Deputy CEO. The first office of the Company was based at Bien Hoa Club Hotel.

December 22, 1989, from 08:25 to 08:30

From: Yueh Lien Trade & Development Co., Ltd

Address: Taiwan R.O.C Tao yuan Cheng Kwang Str, No,23

Phone: 886 – 3 – 3378422

From: Mr. Wei Ting Yuan

 

To: Dong Nai Industrial Development and Investment Company./p>

Address: 125, National Highway 15, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province

 

Content:

1/ Is timber as input material for paper making of the Export Forestry Products Processing Company, priced at USD 45/ton peeled or non-peeled timber? Its price is fine if it’s peeled timber, otherwise it would be a bit high.

2/ Mr. Wei would like to buy peeled rattan of 26 – 34 mm and 14 – 16 mm in diameter, and 10 m – 7 m or 8 – 9 – 10 m in length. He would buy 10 tons each type. (Ask for the price of Calamus platyacanthus (song mat) Calamus poilanei Lour (song bot) rattan.

3/ Mr. Wei’s orders sent by Song Be have been shipped to (port)…

4/ Around January 1990, Mr. Chu Tung Lam will pay a visit, together with a mission of manufacturers of ready-made garments and paper and wood processing companies.

5/ Next Tuesday (December 26, 1989), Mr. Wei will call and expect to receive an answer to the above questions.

Call recipient:

(Signed by: Chu Thanh Son)

 

 

January 5, 1990, from 08:30 to 08:35

From: Yueh Lien Trade & Development Co., Ltd

Address: Taiwan R.O.C Tao yuan Cheng Kwang Str, No,23

Phone: 886 – 3 – 3378422

From: Mr. Wei Ting Yuan

 

To: Dong Nai Industrial Development and Investment Company.

Phone: 91897

 

Content:

(*) Incoming:

– Have you received the fax sent by Mr. Wei on Tuesday, December 26, 1989? This morning, at 9:00 am Vietnam time, Mr. Wei will send another fax, so the telephone system operator should be informed in advance.

– Mr. Wei wants to buy 500 kg of grade 7 agarwood according to the quote of Donimex Company. Will the price be 20% off?

– Mr. Chu had a phone call for Mr. Wei and will only visit Vietnam after Tet. Mr. Wei will also visit Vietnam after Tet.

(*) Outgoing:

– Haven’t received Mr. Wei’s fax. After this conversation ends, the Fax Center of Ho Chi Minh City will be informed to prepare receive faxed documents from Taiwan.

– Message Mr. Wei to request to buy additional Telex machines for the Company. Mr. Wei accepted. Regarding camera issue, request to buy an affordable automatic camera, not an expensive model as previously announced by Mr. Wei. Mr. Wei agreed to help buying one.

– Next Tuesday (January 9, 1990), is it needed to notify Mr. Wei on the agarwood issue?

Call recipient:

(Signed by: Chu Thanh Son)

 

February 16, 1990, from 08:13 to 08:15

From: Palace (Huu Nghi) Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City, room 507

Phone: 92860 – 97284 – 22316

From: Mr. Lai Hong Shun

 

To: Dong Nai Industrial Development and Investment Company.

Address: 125, National Highway 15, Bien Hoa City, Dong Nai Province

Phone: 91897

 

Content: We would like to invite you to visit us at room 507, Palace Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City to receive 02 letters from Taiwanese partners to your company, which I am honored to help give them to you.

Time: At 19:00 on February 17, 1990 when we will have returned from My Tho. Before coming, it is best to call the hotel first

Call recipient:

(Signed by: Chu Thanh Son)

 

August 10, 1990, from 10:15 to 10:20

From: Vedan – Taiwan

Phone: 98541

From: Mr. Yeh Fang Tian, Assistant General Director of Vedan.

 

To: Dong Nai Industrial Development and Investment Company.

Phone: 91897

About: Send contract

 

Content:

1/ We have just sent a document to the Director of the Company by fax from the number 98541

2/ Notice :

+ Dong Nai Industrial Development and Investment Company has not received the fax dated August 3, 1990 from Vedan. Please resend this fax to us.

+ Please fax a letter inviting our mission to Taiwan as our previous visas have expired and an invitation letter is required to apply for a new visa.

+ Please specify the content of the fax you have sent to us. Reply: “Content of the contract between our company and your company”.

+ Send regards to Mr. Vuong and the entire Board of Management of Vedan Company

Call recipient:

(Signed by: Chu Thanh Son)

Comments from Kim Thanh Than:

“As a new-found company

With limited startup funding

Persistent and determined efforts, though,

Will lead it to sustained prosperity”.