Want to be in the loop?
subscribe to
our notification
Business News
NEW ECONOMIC POLICIES EFFECTIVE THIS DECEMBER
Stacks of Vietnamese banknotes are seen at a local bank - PHOTO: LE VU
HCMC – Vietnam is introducing a series of new economic regulations this December, covering settlement of bad debt, operations of debt management companies, rules on opening offshore foreign-currency accounts, and tighter financial safety standards for securities firms.
New rules on collateral recovery
Government Decree 304/2025, effective December 1, sets stricter conditions for seizing collateral, especially assets that are a borrower’s sole residence or essential work tools.
In such cases, lenders must set aside a compensation amount equivalent to six to twelve months of minimum wage. The measure aims to improve transparency in bad debt handling and reduce credit risk in the banking system.
Updated framework for debt management companies
Circular 31/2025, also in effect from December 1, clarifies the scope of activities for debt management companies owned by credit institutions. These cover bad debt resolution, collateral management, and debt trading.
Credit institutions are allowed to buy debt only when their non-performing loan ratio is below 3%. They must also establish internal procedures and submit them to the State Bank of Vietnam for oversight. Existing companies have 12 months to meet compliance requirements.
Offshore foreign-currency accounts permitted under specific conditions
From December 15, Circular 39 allows organizations to open foreign-currency accounts abroad under 12 specific cases. These fall into three groups: credit institutions, economic organizations, and other entities.
Most eligible cases relate to overseas branches or representative offices, foreign borrowing arrangements, or contractual obligations with international partners.
Modernized regulations on charter capital and treasury shares
Also taking effect on December 15, Circular 96/2025 abolishes Circular 19/2003 to update the legal framework governing charter capital and treasury shares. The revision aligns regulations with current laws and aims to increase transparency in corporate financial management.
Stricter financial safety standards for securities firms
Circular 102/2025, effective December 15, revises financial safety indicators for securities companies. It introduces a mechanism for calculating market risk and adjusts deductions and collateral assessments.
Firms will have six months to address any shortfall if their available capital ratio falls below 180%. The new rules are intended to strengthen risk management and support market stability.
Source: The Saigon Times
Related News
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
VIETNAM EXPANDS INLAND CONTAINER DEPOT NETWORK TO 19
The two newly added ICDs are Cai Mep in HCMC and Tan Cang-Moc Bai (phase one) in Tay Ninh Province. Cai Mep ICD, located in Cai Mep Industrial Park in Tan Phuoc Ward, HCMC and developed by Cai Mep International Logistics JSC, covers 9.15 hectares and has an annual handling capacity of about 133,000 TEUs, according to the Government news site (baochinhphu.vn).
BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX
HCMC CREDIT UP 1.5% IN Q1
Outstanding loans in the city reached an estimated VND5.28 quadrillion, up 0.77% from the previous month and 16.25% year-on-year, data from the State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2 showed. Vietnam dong loans accounted for 96.1% of total credit and rose 1.46% from the end of 2025. Medium- and long-term lending made up 55% of total outstanding loans and increased 3.22%.
VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT
HCMC TO ESTABLISH CULTURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND
The HCMC People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with establishing a cultural industry development fund and developing a 150-hectare film studio complex. The move follows an instruction by HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang. The city’s cultural industry development fund will be structured under a venture capital model.
HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT
EMPLOYEES’ AVERAGE INCOME INCREASES
Average monthly income of workers in the first quarter reached VND9 million, up 3.8% from the previous quarter and 8.5% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. Male workers earned an average of VND10.1 million per month, compared with VND7.7 million for female workers. In urban areas, average income reached VND10.7 million per month, while in rural areas it was VND7.9 million.
INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT
HCMC KICKS OFF OVER 10 PROJECTS DURING APRIL
Work will start on major projects in transportation, urban development and logistics sectors in HCMC this month, coinciding with Vietnam’s Reunification Day, April 30. They include the N3 ramp at the An Phu interchange with an investment of VND3.4 trillion and the 1.69-hectare Tan Chanh Hiep Park. In addition to these, seven other projects are slated to break ground within the month, including the Ho Tram – Long Thanh airport urban expressway, the Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi port area and the Ho Chi Minh Museum expansion.
HOSPITALITY / TOURISM / ENTERTAINMENT
VIETNAM’S Q1 FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS HIT RECORD HIGH
Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March, bringing first quarter foreign tourist arrivals to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year and marking a record high for the period, the national authority for tourism said. Air travel accounted for 82.3% of international arrivals, followed by land at 15.5% and sea at 2.2%, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.
Events Sponsors
