Vietnam Banking Sector: Update on Business Plans for 2026

Overall, banks maintain a positive outlook on business prospects, though caution has increased amid global uncertainties, particularly the risk of energy supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. PBT growth targets show clear divergence: HDB (41%), OCB (39%), VPB (35%) lead with ambitious growth targets, while some conservative banks (STB 6%, LPB 5%, EIB 0.2%) are focused on increasing provisioning and strengthening asset quality.

Key takeaways:

• Rising interest rate and tightening liquidity were the primary concerns. Banks’ guidance on NIM indicated continued short-term downward pressure, due to rising funding costs and limited ability to reprice lending rates upward accordingly.
• A broader credit portfolio diversification trend amid weak consumer spending recovery and declining liquidity in the real estate market.
• Credit growth targets are increasingly aligned with deposit mobilization in 2026. 
• The participation in Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC) with seven commercial banks (including VCB, MBB, HDB, SHB, LPB, TPB and NAB) have incorporated plans to establish subsidiaries at VIFC into their 2026 AGM resolutions.