Digital Finance to Drive Viet Nam’s Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Access to Finance for All

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, October 29, 2025 - Digital finance is set to become a powerful engine for Viet Nam's economic growth as the country aims to achieve high-income status by 2045, create millions of new jobs, and improve access to finance for underserved populations. These themes will take center stage at the Digital Finance Inclusion Conference 2025, hosted by IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, where policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators from across Asia Pacific will gather to explore how technology can transform the financial sector and fuel sustainable, inclusive development.

Viet Nam's digital finance ecosystem is growing quickly, driven by the national financial inclusion strategy and the new fintech sandbox decree for the banking sector. This provides a supportive environment for banks and fintech firms to pilot and refine innovative digital financial solutions in a controlled setting before wider rollout. According to the World Bank Group Global Findex 2025, over 70 per cent of Vietnamese adults aged 15 and above have an account, and 62 per cent of them engage in digital payments - supported by internet coverage that reaches 80 per cent of the population. These figures highlight both the progress made and the significant opportunities ahead to expand digital financial services to underserved communities.

"As Viet Nam moves toward launching international financial centers later this year, a modern, trusted, and globally connected financial ecosystem will be essential," said Pham Thanh Ha, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam said. "Digital finance is central to this vision - enabling secure transactions, expanding business access to capital, and strengthening cross-border connectivity. By promoting innovation responsibly and aligning with global standards, Viet Nam can become a competitive regional hub where digital finance supports sustainable growth and inclusion."

Organized in partnership with the Vietnam Banking Association, and with support from the Australian Government and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the two-day conference features leading voices from across the Asia Pacific region, sharing insights on how emerging tools - from AI-powered credit scoring and alternative data models to open banking and digital ID integration - can improve SME financing, enhance risk management, and open new markets. Experts emphasized that a robust digital finance ecosystem not only fuels SME growth and attracts foreign investment, but also strengthens productivity in manufacturing, exports, and other key industries by increasing efficiency, reducing transaction costs, and expanding market access.

"Digital finance is more than a driver of innovation - it's a key enabler of broader economic transformation," said Thomas Jacobs, IFC Country Manager for Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Lao PDR. "With the right mix of technology, sound regulation, and targeted investment, Viet Nam can foster a dynamic fintech sector that enhances competitiveness, supports MSME growth and entrepreneurship, creates much-needed quality jobs, and ensures financial services are accessible to everyone."

The conference builds on regional momentum, with countries like Singapore, Australia, and the Philippines advancing open finance, responsible data use, and nationwide digital payment systems. In the Mekong region, Viet Nam's open banking pilots, fintech sandboxing, and national ID integration are reshaping how financial institutions deliver secure, inclusive, and competitive services.