State Bank expands support areas for customers affected by natural disasters

Notably, the directive expands the list of supported localities to include four additional provinces – Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong – alongside central ones that had already suffered significant damage. This expansion considerably broadens the range of beneficiaries, given the widespread losses caused by the recent major storms.

Heavy rains and flooding cause severe damage to aquaculture cages and rafts in Xuan Canh commune, Dak Lak province. (Photo: VNA)
Heavy rains and flooding cause severe damage to aquaculture cages and rafts in Xuan Canh commune, Dak Lak province. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued a directive requesting credit institutions and SBV branches in Regions 8, 9, 10 and 11 to focus on implementing measures to support customers recovering from the impacts of storms Fengshen and Kalmaegi, as well as severe flooding in October and November this year.

Notably, the directive expands the list of supported localities to include four additional provinces – Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong – alongside central ones that had already suffered significant damage. This expansion considerably broadens the range of beneficiaries, given the widespread losses caused by the recent major storms.

SBV branches in Regions 8, 9, 10 and 11 currently oversee the localities of Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong.

Earlier, under a document dated November 4, 2025, the central bank instructed credit institutions, foreign bank branches, and SBV regional branches (Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 12) to implement solutions to support customers affected by natural disasters, storms and floods.

Specifically, the SBV requested banks to swiftly address their own damages and restore operations to ensure uninterrupted services for customers and local residents.

They have also been tasked with reviewing and assessing the business operations and repayment capacity of borrowers affected by major storms and floods between July and October, in order to promptly introduce supportive measures. These include restructuring repayment schedules; waiving or reducing interest rates and fees in line with current regulations; developing and deploying preferential credit packages; and applying loan interest rate reductions of 0.5%–2% per year for three to six months on existing loans held by customers affected by storms and flooding./.

VNA

See more

The vessel carrying the 2 millionth TEU arrives at Hai Phong Port. (Photo:VNA)

Hai Phong Port reaches 2-million-TEU milestone

Handling the 2 millionth TEU in 2025 not only demonstrates Hai Phong Port’s operational capacity and the collective efforts of its workforce, but also highlights its increasingly important role in regional and global supply chains, the confidence of shipping lines, logistics firms and the business community, and the effectiveness of policies to improve the investment climate and strengthen maritime infrastructure and services.

Melons labelled with traceability codes on display at the Song Van agricultural produce store in Ninh Binh city, Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

Tracing origins hindered by fragmented data systems

As the Government accelerates the digital economy, establishing a unified national traceability system has become a crucial move to end data fragmentation and disconnection among ministries, sectors and localities.

Hyundai unveils its new Avante Hybrid model in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on August 13, 2020. (Photo: Yonhap/VNA)

Tax cuts poised to ignite Vietnam’s hybrid vehicle boom from 2026

Experts forecast that 2026-2030 will mark a period of strong growth for hybrid vehicles in Vietnam, a trend that will invigorate the automotive sector while supporting national objectives on emissions reduction, sustainable development and the broader transition to green mobility.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam targets 1 billion USD in banana exports

Bananas have been identified as a priority product under the Project for the Development of Key Fruit Crops to 2025, with a vision to 2030, approved in October 2022. Under the plan, banana acreage is projected to reach 165,000–175,000ha by 2030, with output of 2.6–3 million tonnes.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang (Photo: VNA)

Event connects Vietnamese businesses with African countries

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang held that to develop Vietnam – Africa ties more strongly and substantively, it is necessary to promote the engagement of businesses, and that the Government will create favourable conditions for them to enhance fruitful cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc (R) and Independent Non-executive Chairman of AIA Mark Tucker at their meeting in Hanoi on December 12. (Photo: VNA)

AIA Group envisions long-term investment, cooperation in Vietnam

Over 25 years of operation in Vietnam, AIA has achieved positive results. Its premium revenue ranks among the top five life insurers, reaching nearly 14.83 trillion VND (563.71 million USD) in 2024 and an estimated 15.73 trillion VND in 2025, equivalent to around 10% of the market share.

A view of the 2025 Japan business roundtable in HCM City on December 12. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City courts Japanese investment with growth blueprint

Ha underscored the pivotal contributions of Japanese firms, which have long supported local socio-economic progress through major infrastructure projects, industrial zones and workforce training courses. To date, Japanese companies have invested more than 15 billion USD in over 2,200 projects, reflecting sustained confidence and commitment to the market.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son receives Kounlaphanh Vongnathy, Vice President of Phongsupthavy Group, in Hanoi on December 12, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Lao group urged to deepen energy ties with Vietnam

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has commended Phongsupthavy Group as one of Laos’ leading investors supplying electricity to Vietnam, noting its pledge to ramp up power exports and actively contribute to the implementation of energy cooperation agreements endorsed by senior leaders of the two Parties and States.