Nguyen Duc Lenh, Deputy Director of the State Bank of Vietnam’s Region 2 Branch, highlighted this as the highest first-quarter credit growth in the past three years, compared to 0.96% in 2024 and 1.25% in 2023.

Credit continued flowing into key sectors such as trade, tourism, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and logistics, all of which recorded growth above 1.5%. This rise is attributed to the disbursement of preferential credit packages and government-supported programmes, as well as the city’s bank-business connection initiatives.

Foreign currency lending rose by 2.1%, outpacing both VND and total credit growth, reflecting robust import-export activity, exchange rate stability, and favourable forex conditions for exporters.

Ho Chi Minh City’s economy also performed strongly, with GRDP rising 7.51% in the first quarter, the best rate in three years. Meanwhile, improvements in real estate, consumer markets, and overall business climate supported credit expansion.

“The stability of the macroeconomy and sound policies are key to ensuring credit growth that supports overall economic development,” Nguyen Duc Lenh emphasised.