Business News

The return on average assets (ROAA) of the banking sector will likely remain stable at around 1.5 per cent in the second half of 2026, but profitability divergence among banks will increase, with large banks outperforming peers on stronger margins and diversified earnings, analysts forecast. In a recent report on the banking sector, analysts from the Vietnam Investors Service Rating said the sector’s ROAA rose by 10 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 1.51 per cent in the first half of this year, driven by net interest margin (NIM) improvements at some State-owned banks and large private banks.

Vietnamese đồng deposits at banks grew faster than credit by late August, reversing a trend seen earlier this year and easing some short-term liquidity pressure, although banks continue to face high funding costs amid strong demand for loans. Speaking at the Government’s regular meeting, Trần Quốc Phương, deputy minister of finance, said that as of August 22, Vietnamese đồng deposits at credit institutions had increased 8.77 per cent from the beginning of the year, slightly exceeding the 8.38 per cent growth in Vietnamese đồng lending.

The Hà Nội People's Committee has issued an action plan to ensure that all its citizens and businesses, particularly priority groups, have equal and comprehensive access to basic financial products and services. Plan 323/KH-UBND aims to carry out the National Financial Inclusion Strategy within the city through 2030.

Instead of just racing for expansion, banks have been focusing more on service ecosystems to make them a key pillar for more sustainable profitability, according to recently released data. Financial statements from the first half of 2026 released by 28 banks revealed impressive results, with total net fee and commission income of the banks surging by 50 per cent year-on-year to nearly VNĐ52.63 trillion (US$1.99 billion) in the first half of this year.

Amid surging demand for capital, commercial banks have been ramping up bond issuance, with rates reaching a record high of 10 per cent per year. Sacombank has recently announced the completion of three private bond placements in July, raising a total of VNĐ3.65 trillion (US$139 million) to raise medium- and long-term capital, strengthen financial capacity, enhance risk resilience and meet regulatory capital requirements.

The Government is preparing to submit to the National Assembly a proposal to reduce income tax by 30 percent in the 2026–2027 period for business households, individuals, and enterprises with annual revenue up to VND 10 billion (US$381,621). The Government also proposes a 30 percent reduction in personal income tax for micro-enterprises with annual revenues of up to VND 10 billion in 2026 and 2027.

Remittances sent to Ho Chi Minh City topped US$4 billion in the first half of 2026, down nearly 23 percent year on year, despite a modest recovery in the second quarter. The city received more than $2.03 billion in remittances in the second quarter. Tran Thi Ngoc Lien, deputy director of State Bank of Vietnam’s region 2 branch, said the second quarter was the first quarter this year to see remittances to Ho Chi Minh City increase from the preceding quarter, although the pace of recovery remained modest.

Vietnam has approved a development plan through 2035 for its international financial centers, with the one in Ho Chi Minh City positioned as a comprehensive global financial hub. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang, chairman of the governing board of the Vietnam International Financial Center, has signed the decision approving the development plan.