Our reporter interviewed Deputy General Director of Vietcombank Nguyen Viet Cuong about this issue.

Could you share the current situation regarding access to capital for enterprises in the supporting industry, and how can these enterprises seek loans from Vietcombank?

The supporting industry plays an important role in the economy by directly generating added value for the industrial sector, creating jobs for thousands of workers, and helping the economy integrate more deeply into global value chains.

Vietcombank has always identified supporting industry enterprises as a priority customer segment that should receive enhanced access to credit. In practice, we have implemented multiple support programs to promote credit relationships with this group. To date, credit outstanding for supporting industries at Vietcombank has grown by about 30% annually, with more than 1,000 enterprise clients, accounting for over 12% of our total corporate outstanding loans. These figures clearly demonstrate Vietcombank’s commitment to advancing the Government’s direction on developing supporting industries.

However, it must be acknowledged that supporting industries are still developing below their potential, with a significant gap in scale, technology, and financial capacity compared with developed countries. Many enterprises are only handling basic processing stages and find it difficult to access large-scale, high-standard orders from multinational corporations in supply chains. When working with banks, domestic enterprises often express concerns about supply chain linkages, technological capability, and the availability of a skilled workforce that meets required standards. Their output is heavily dependent on a small number of key enterprises, creating vulnerability because any shift in a partner’s strategy, reduction in orders, or supply chain relocation can cause immediate impact. This is a structural challenge that requires supporting industry enterprises to proactively seek more partners and integrate more deeply into global supply chains to reduce risks and build a foundation for sustainable development.

What specialized credit products or mechanisms does Vietcombank currently offer for supporting industry enterprises?

Today, supporting industries have significant opportunities, especially with the introduction of Decree 205/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on September 1, 2025. The decree is considered an important lever for the development and breakthrough of supporting industries. It provides a solid foundation for enterprises to innovate, access capital, and strengthen their competitiveness so they can participate more deeply in global supply chains. The decree also adds new forms of support in finance, technology, and market development, with special emphasis on research and product development, technology transfer, and improving workforce quality. These measures will drive investment and stimulate growth in the sector. This is truly a major opportunity for supporting industry enterprises.

At Vietcombank, as a pioneering bank, we always follow the Government’s and the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s macro policies closely. We prioritize resources and capital to promote and implement many specialized mechanisms and product packages for supporting industries, including interest rate incentive programs such as annual short-term preferential loan programs and fixed-rate loan programs for corporate clients; working capital financing; project financing for items listed as priority under Decree 205; and a wide range of supply chain financing products tailored to each supply chain, such as factoring, overdraft loans, payment guarantees, letters of credit, and other credit instruments, along with simplified documentation requirements. Vietcombank ensures transparency and clarity in preferential credit procedures and complies fully with legal regulations to maximize benefits for clients.

In addition, with advantages such as a domestic market share of more than 20% in import-export payment services, a broad global network, and a leading position in providing services to foreign direct investment clients with over 40% market share, we not only offer a diverse product ecosystem but also connect domestic enterprises with top international partners, promote trade cooperation, and support local enterprises in integrating deeper into global value chains. At the same time, Vietcombank serves as a trusted gateway for foreign enterprises investing in the Vietnamese market, generating practical economic and social benefits.

Many supporting industry enterprises still face difficulties related to collateral, credit history, or small scale. What alternative solutions does Vietcombank offer to address these challenges?

We have studied and proposed several alternative solutions to provide financing for supporting industry enterprises, such as supply chain financing and cooperation with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund to extend lending to SMEs. In particular, supply chain financing is considered an optimal solution for supporting industry enterprises seeking access to bank credit because it is based on the reputation and payment commitments of the anchor enterprise at the top of the chain. To enhance effectiveness and improve risk control, financial institutions are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, deploying platforms that connect transaction data, and building integrated financial ecosystems with partners in the chain. The goal is to optimize the financing process, accelerate disbursement, and create added value for enterprises through transparent cash flow management, replacing traditional credit models that depend on collateral.

In line with market trends, Vietcombank is actively implementing supply chain financing models based on practical analysis of each value chain. We participate comprehensively across multiple stages of the chain, providing financial solutions and support services at each point. Our product portfolio is diverse and customized, including factoring, overdraft loans, payment guarantees, letters of credit, and other credit instruments, along with simplified documentation requirements. These solutions are designed to optimize cash flow, reduce risks, and increase value for clients within the supply chain ecosystem.

Beyond providing capital, what non-financial support does Vietcombank offer to supporting industry enterprises?

For Vietcombank, support for supporting industry enterprises extends beyond providing capital and includes accompanying them with knowledge, relationships, and management capacity. First, we maintain activities that connect enterprises within our own supply chain and that of our partners, which include many supporting industry enterprises. Vietcombank has connected customers through its extensive existing client network, conferences, industry associations, industrial parks, and partners in Vietnam and internationally. The goal is to help enterprises identify new customers, suitable suppliers, and solution partners.

In parallel, we strengthen our role in financial and investment advisory services for enterprises. Our business units and financial experts regularly engage with customers on capital structure, cash flow management, exchange rate and interest rate risk management, and guidance on developing medium-and long-term financial strategies. For enterprises seeking to raise capital in the capital market, our ecosystem can provide advisory services and corporate bond arrangement to help diversify funding channels instead of relying solely on bank loans.

Given growing sustainability requirements, we also focus on supporting enterprises in gradually approaching ESG standards, particularly those with green projects or those serving green supply chains. Vietcombank combines capital support through green credit programs and transition credit for corporate customers with non-financial support through expertise and transition experience to help customers strengthen ESG management, meet the requirements of partners in demanding markets, and contribute to more sustainable credit risk control for the bank.

In the coming period, what programs and partnerships will Vietcombank advance to enhance financing for supporting industry enterprises?

Vietcombank will continue to prioritize appropriate capital allocation for projects and enterprises that make substantive contributions to domestic production capacity and deeper participation in supply chains. Under our green banking framework and ongoing green credit programs, we will gradually increase the share of lending to projects that meet environmental and social criteria, particularly those that support technology upgrades, energy savings, emissions reduction, and stronger risk management.

We will also expand cooperation with regulatory agencies, ministries, local authorities, and international organizations to better leverage concessional funding sources and technical assistance for enterprises.

To access and benefit more fully from these programs, supporting industry enterprises should proactively standardize financial management, enhance information transparency, and build medium-and long-term business strategies aligned with commitments to technology upgrading and emissions control. A strong management foundation will allow Vietcombank and other financial institutions to design suitable financing packages and build long-term partnerships that enable enterprises to scale up and strengthen sustainable competitiveness.

Thank you very much!