Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 31 highlighted the achievements of the banking sector, with an open institutional framework, pioneering infrastructure, flexible policies, sound management, and effective problem-solving, benefiting the people and contributing to a self-resilient nation.
While attending the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)'s Hanoi conference to review its 2025 performance and launch tasks for 2026, he said the SBV has effectively advised the Government on handling weak banks in a systematic and efficient manner; enhancing security and transaction safety; and making significant progress in restructuring credit institutions and handling bad debts. By the end of September 2025, total assets of the banking system had exceeded 25.8 quadrillion VND (981.1 billion USD), up 84.4% compared to the end of 2020.
Through reforms and innovation in sector operations, people have gained broader access to financial services, with the proportion of adults holding bank accounts reaching 86.97%, a sharp increase from 68.44% in 2020.
The SBV has also made an important contribution to maintaining Vietnam’s national credit ratings, providing a solid foundation for the country to mobilise domestic and international resources effectively in pursuit of high growth in the coming period, the Government leader noted.
At the same time, PM Chinh frankly pointed out several shortcomings and major challenges that need to be addressed in supporting enterprises’ access to capital, the management of the gold market, credit risks in certain sectors, and the rise of high-tech crime, among others.
Emphasising the significance of 2026, when the 14th National Party Congress will be held and the country enters a new development phase, the PM stressed that the banking sector must make important contributions to macroeconomic stability, inflation control, the promotion of double-digit growth, the safeguarding of major economic balances, and the improvement of people’s material and spiritual lives.
He underlined eight key tasks for the sector in the time ahead. These include focusing on the effective implementation of the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress, as well as resolutions and conclusions of the Politburo, the Secretariat, the National Assembly and the Government, and directives of the PM; accelerating institutional improvement and making stronger breakthroughs in administrative reform in the monetary and banking sector to meet national development requirements; and effectively managing banking operations within the international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.
The leader called on the SBV to manage credit growth limits in an appropriate manner; control risks in line with international practices and market-based instruments; implement solutions to ensure safe and effective credit growth; ensure the safety of the monetary, credit and banking system; promote the development of science and technology, innovation and national digital transformation both in banking operations and credit activities; and effectively implement social welfare policies, particularly for policy beneficiary families, vulnerable groups and those affected by natural disasters.
PM Chinh also requested the continued handling of consequences and restructuring of weak credit institutions in accordance with Party regulations and State laws, including the resolution of issues related to Saigon Commercial Joint Stock Bank – SCB, while ensuring sound internal governance.
At the conference, the PM presented awards from the Party, the State and himself to SBV collectives and individuals in recognition of their outstanding achievements and contributions to national construction and defence./.
