Banking & Finance

According to a report from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) sent to the Prime Minister, a number of real estate businesses have issued bonds in volumes many times higher than equity, creating risks not only for investors but also for the financial system. The ministry has adopted many solutions to correct the market in 2022, including submitting a proposal to the Prime Minister on amending the legal framework on certain matters.

Ho Chi Minh City and central Da Nang city have both recently introduced projects to become regional financial centers, but according to analysts, in order for Vietnam to receive capital flows from all over the world, it needs to continue reforming policies, promoting digital transformation, improving the structure of its financial market, and completing a legal framework.

At the third session of the 15th National Assembly on June 2, Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc expressed a belief that the corporate bond market remains a good medium and long-term capital mobilization channel. He also advised, however, that investors be careful, because there are still risks in the privately-issued corporate bond market.

According to the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), market liquidity was down 32.4 per cent in value and 20.98 per cent in volume in May compared to April. Total trading value by foreigners in the month reached nearly VND53.8 trillion ($2.3 billion), or nearly 9 per cent of the total.

The draft Law on Insurance Business, which is being discussed by the National Assembly, prohibits insurance companies from investing in real estate, but the Ho Chi Minh City Real Estate Association (HoREA) still wants capital from the industry. HoREA believes that insurance companies should still be allowed to use idle capital from their professional reserves to make financial investments and contribute capital to the real estate sector.

State budget revenue reached 54.9 per cent of the annual estimate in the first five months of 2022, and the budget is in surplus to the tune of VND217.3 trillion ($9.31 billion). According to the General Statistics Office, revenue from trade activities and crude oil, and in the two economic locomotives of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have increased impressively. The return of significant numbers of businesses post-pandemic is also among the factors helping budget revenue post solid results.