Banking & Finance

As of the end of 2021, Vietnam’s public debt totaled VND3.7 quadrillion ($158.88 billion), accounting for 43.1 per cent of GDP. According to the Ministry of Finance, the ratio of public debt to GDP is gradually declining, as is outstanding foreign loans, while domestic loans of the government are increasing rapidly. This helps ensure public debt safety and national financial security.

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued Circular No. 10/2022/TT-NHNN stipulating procedures for registration and changes to the volume of non-government-guaranteed bonds issued to the international market by enterprises. Other content is in regard to foreign exchange management relating to foreign loans in the form of bond issuances to the international market complying with regulations on foreign borrowing and repayment by enterprises.

Award comes in recognition of Citi’s strategy over the last 12 months.

The interbank VND interest rate fell sharply during the week of August 8-12 from a large volume of bills maturing and money being pumped back into the market, resulting in the difference between VND and USD interest rates becoming negative. According to SSI Securities, the State Bank of Vietnam is implementing a relatively flexible monetary policy via open market operations in order to balance inflation, exchange rates, and interest rates.

Petrol prices have been cut five times recently but the price of many goods and services remain high. To bring prices down to a reasonable level, solutions such as reorganizing distribution channels in a scientific manner, building short supply chains, and combining short supply chains with exchanges to help circulate goods efficiently and reduce the cost of intermediaries are needed.

Bad news globally and relating to Vietnam’s macro-economic conditions were fully reflected in the stock market in the first half 2022. The VN-Index saw a steep decline that resulted in many individual investors and even foreign funds incurring heavy losses. In July, however, the stock market began to recover, which led to foreign funds reporting profits. Though these profits are modest, a promising future now awaits.