WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Economy / Banking & Finance
Vietnam resolves bad debts worth US$4.38 billion in 8 months
Ngoc Thuy 10:57, 2018/06/14
From August 15, 2017 to the end of March, bad debts worth VND100.5 trillion (US$4.42 billion) were resolved under a parliamentary resolution, bringing the bad debt ratio total to 2.18% of total outstanding loans, below the 3% target set by the National Assembly.
Resolution No.42, which came into effect last August, provides special pilot treatment of bad debts at credit institution. 
 
Illustration photo.
Illustration photo.
The resolution has been a vital instrument in resolving bad debts, said the State bank of Vietnam (SBV) in its latest report. 

Consequently, bad debts in Ho Chi Minh City have been reduced VND18 trillion (US$791 million) as compared with the beginning of the year, accounting for 3.2% of total outstanding loans, down 0.3 percentage points, said Nguyen Hoang Minh, Deputy Director of SBV branch in Ho Chi Minh City. 

By excluding bad debts at three banks under compulsory acquisition, this percentage in Ho Chi Minh City would be around 1.9%, Minh added. 

According to the SBV, Resolution No.42 has created legal certainty and resolved the inadequacy of the former regulations regarding the process of handling bad debts. Some notable components of the resolution are the inclusion of a new method for handling bad debts and new approaches for dealing with collateral, which is not distrained for judgment enforcement or observance to administrative decisions of competent authorities. 

Additionally, Resolution No.42 has partly contributed to the formation of a debt trading market in Vietnam and played its part in restricting new bad debts.

In the coming time, the Government will continue pushing forward with weak credit institutions restructuring and resolving bad debts, informed the SBV. Credit institutions are requested to enhance financial capabilities, developing new payment methods and non-credit services. 

A report by Moody’s in February assessed enhanced legal framework through Resolution No.42 allows banks to be more active in managing bad debts.

“We think that banks are on a positive track toward resolving their bad debts,” said analysts at Moody’s Investors Service.

Given a favorable macroeconomic environment and the help of Resolution 42, other rated banks are also likely to make progress in resolving legacy problem assets over the next 12-18 months, the report added.

Generally, with improved profitability, banks are now capable of increasing credit provisions and building up buffers against problem assets. At this pace, more banks are likely to fully write down their Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) bond holdings by the end of 2018, the analysts said.

According to Resolution No.42, bad debts are settled publicly and transparently and legitimate rights and interests of credit institutions, bad debt purchaser, manager and relevant entities are protected. Besides, state budget is not used for settlement of bad debts. 
Other news
17:51, 2025/01/07
Vietnam prioritizes agriculture and renewable energy for access to green loans
The move is part of the government’s effort to accelerate economic restructuring and build resilience to climate change while protecting the environment.
16:49, 2025/01/06
Vietnam GDP expands by 7.09% in 2024
The 2024 growth rate is considered positive amidst global uncertainties and domestic challenges such as natural disasters.
14:39, 2025/01/04
Vietnam stock market set to accelerate in 2025: Experts
Stable macroeconomic fundamentals, ongoing institutional reforms, and favorable monetary policies will be positive for corporate earnings.
16:31, 2025/01/02
Vietnam stock market aims for emerging status by 2025: Finance minister
By the end of 2024, the benchmark VN-Index reached 1,266.78 points, up 12.11% from 2023.
15:33, 2025/01/02
Vietnam set to extend VAT cut for six months
This measure is expected to accelerate the recovery of production and business activities, which will ultimately benefit the state budget and the economy as a whole.
21:29, 2024/12/31
Vietnam’s credit growth projected to expand by 16% in 2025
Growth must put operational safety first, and channel credit to productive business sectors, priority areas, and growth-driving industries.