banking and finance
The Banking & Finance category covers the latest trends, regulatory updates, and market developments in the financial sector. It explores banking operations, monetary policy, interest rates, foreign exchange, and investment flows, providing insights into capital markets, digital banking, lending trends, and financial regulations. This section also examines economic stability, fintech innovations, and foreign direct investment (FDI) in financial services, helping businesses, investors, and policymakers navigate the evolving financial landscape.
Finance: Vietnam’s insurance market grows 5.6 percent in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s Total insurance premium revenue in Q1 2025 reached VND 56.58 trillion or US$2.26 billion, up 5.62 percent year-on-year. Non-life insurance recorded VND 22.01 trillion or US$880.4 million, rising 10 percent, with life insurance reaching VND 34.56 trillion or US$1.38 billion, growing 3 percent, according to data from the Ministry of Finance.
Banking: BIDV flags risk to US$11.6 billion credit portfolio from US tariffs
At its 2025 annual general meeting, BIDV Chairman Phan Duc Tu warned that US “reciprocal” tariffs could affect around VND 300 trillion (US$11.58 billion) of the bank’s outstanding loans, representing 15 percent of its total credit balance. Industries most at risk include steel, plastics, seafood, textiles, and electronics, Cafe F is reporting.
Banking: Vietnam’s bad debt jumps 3.3 percent in first two month of 2025
Nguyen Quoc Hung, General Secretary of the Vietnam Banking Association, has raised concerns about the speed at which bad debt is rising in Vietnam, Tuoi Tre is reporting. Total bad debt stood at VND 1,030 trillion (US$41.18 billion) at the end of 2024, rising by VND 34 trillion (US$1.36 billion), or about 3.3 percent, in the first two months of 2025.
Vietnam stock market jumps as foreign investors net-sell US$185 million
Vietnam’s benchmark indices saw modest gains on April 16, supported by strong liquidity across the board. Foreign investors, however, were heavy net sellers, offloading over VND 4.6 trillion (US$185 million) in shares. The bulk of the sell-off by foreign investors was in Vingroup (VIC), it’s not immediately clear why.
Stock market: VNIndex down 1.42 percent as foreign investors sell US$11 million in shares
Vietnam’s stock market fell sharply on April 16, with all major indices closing lower and foreign investors turning net sellers. The VNIndex shed 1.42 percent to close at 1,210.30, according to data from the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange.
Banking: Vietnam’s compulsory bank transfers only effective with real capital, experts warn
The compulsory transfer of four underperforming Vietnamese banks to stronger commercial lenders has been met with some skepticism at an April 11 workshop on bank restructuring in Hanoi. This comes in the context of several of the four underperforming banks being rebranded and relaunched as digital banks, VN Express is reporting.
Vietnam credit growth hits 3.93 percent in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s banking system added nearly VND614 trillion (US$23.8 billion) in new credit during the first quarter of 2025, with total credit outstanding reaching VND16,230 trillion (US$629 billion), according to State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Governor Nguyen Thi Hong. The quarterly growth rate of 3.93 percent outpaced the same period last year by more than double, The Investor is reporting.
Vietnam’s insurance premium revenue up 5.6 percent year-on-year in Q1 2025
Vietnam’s insurance market posted solid performance in the first quarter of 2025, with notable gains in non-life premiums, reinvested capital, and total assets, despite a decline in benefit payouts, according to data from the General Statistics Office.
Vietnam dong weakens 0.06 percent as central bank slows repo injections
This Vietnamese Dong Tracker records the latest news and developments with respect to the local currency. It includes the current prices as well as State Bank of Vietnam monetary policy and open market operations including treasury bill issuances and interbank lending.
Vietnam to raise foreign ownership cap to 49% at some banks
Foreign investors will be allowed to own up to 49 percent of the charter capital in Vietnamese commercial banks involved in mandatory transfers, starting from May 19, 2025, under Decree No. 69/2025/ND-CP recently issued by the government. The change applies to banks like MB, HDBank, and VPBank, which are participating in state-mandated acquisition and restructuring of weaker banks, VietnamBiz has reported.
Financial, banking, and insurance sector in Vietnam records US$3.96 million in January FDI
In January, Vietnam’s financial, banking, and insurance sector registered a total of US$3.96 million in new foreign direct investment (FDI), according to data from Vietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment. This marks an increase of US$2.4 million compared to December, which recorded US$1.5 million in new registered capital.
Vietnam’s financial, banking, and insurance sector sees December FDI fall
In 2024, the sector attracted a total of 6 new projects with US$123.59 million in newly registered capital…
Building An International Financial Centre in Vietnam: Unpacked
At the end of December, the Government of Vietnam passed Resolution No 259/NQ-CP approving a plan to create regional and international financial centres in Danang and Ho Chi Minh City. Whereas the plan puts the emphasis on location this article looks at the regulatory issues holding this project back.
Vietnam’s corporate bond market sees December jump, over US$2.3 billion in issuances
Looking ahead to 2025, VND 216,670 billion (US$8.67 billion) worth of corporate bonds will reach maturity, with real estate bonds making up the largest portion, at VND 120,640 billion (US$4.83 billion), or 55.6% of the total.
Vietnam central banks raises credit growth limit/target for 2025 to 16 percent
Of note, whereas Vietnam in the first instance introduced credit growth limits to stymie out of control inflation, it has since reorientated credit growth policy to facilitate economic growth. This is seeing private debt rise rapidly along with bad debts as banks push lending on to consumers rather than due to growing demand.
Vietnam sees significant decline in new financial, banking, and insurance FDI in November
Year-to-date (YTD), the sector has attracted a total of 6 new projects with US$122.1 million in newly registered capital, reflecting a decrease in investment activity compared to previous months.
Vietnam bond market continues upward momentum in November
Year-to-date, 362 private placements have been made, raising VND 342,716 billion (or US$13.71 billion), alongside 21 public offerings worth VND 32,114 billion (or US$1.28 billion)…
State Bank of Vietnam increases credit limits for some of banks to meet 15 percent target
This is an interesting decision with broad uncertainty around what might happen with respect to the US dollar when Trump assumes the presidency in January, though most economists are expecting a stronger dollar. Bad debts among Vietnam’s banks have also been rising and the country’s US dollar reserves have fallen below the IMF recommended three months worth of imports.
Bank at centre of Vietnam fraud case cuts withdrawal limits
Saigon Commercial Bank, which was put under ‘special administration’ by the State Bank of Vietnam in October of 2022, has announced it will be limiting withdrawals to VND 10 million or about US$393 a day. This is down from VND 100 million or US$3,930 a day…
Vietnam FDI in finance, banking, and insurance doubles in capital
Year-to-date, the sector has attracted six projects with a cumulative registered capital of US$121.42 million. The rise in capital highlights increased interest in Vietnam’s financial services landscape, as international investors recognise the potential for expansion in banking, insurance, and financial services…
In today’s Vietnam news: GS TL on AI, Saigon Economic Times last issue, Fuel prices cut, Vinhomes issuing more bonds, Counterfeit Korean cosmetics store,
In today’s Vietnam news: Power supply imports, Hanoi boulevard project protests, Antidumping duties coming for boxes, Maersk container terminal project Hanoi, Vinpearl foreign investment,
In today’s Vietnam news: Credit limits removed for some major projects, Estonian web security company market entry, Vingroup’s Vuong becomes major shareholder LP Bank,
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This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It