VIETNAM

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Vietnam is a densely populated, emerging economy that has implemented market-oriented reforms since 1986 and benefited from large foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows since its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2007.  Macroeconomic conditions have become more stable since the mid-2010s, and real GDP growth averaged 6.9% in 2014-2019. Continued FDI inflows have led the export industry to expand rapidly, with diversification toward higher value-added products and integration into regional supply chains. The current account balance has been in surplus and external liquidity has strengthened gradually. The Vietnamese dong has depreciated only slightly against the USD since 2016 and even stabilised in H2,2020 - H1,2021. Public finances also improved in the few years prior to the COVID-19 shock thanks to fiscal consolidation efforts and slow privatisation of state enterprises. On the negative front, vulnerabilities have remained, including Vietnam’s high credit risks resulting from the excessive debt of corporates (state enterprises in particular) and banks’ very weak capital buffers. Asset quality problems could rise in the short term as a consequence of the economic growth slowdown of 2020-2021.

Vietnam successfully contained the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020 and both the export sector and domestic demand proved to be resilient. Economic growth slowed moderately to 2.9% in 2020. However, the country was hard hit a resurgence of infections in summer 2021, which in turn constrained industrial and services activity. Economic growth is thus projected to reach only 1.5% in 2021, before rebounding in 2022.

Given its very high degree of trade openness, Vietnam is exposed to US-China tensions. However, Vietnam is also likely to benefit from this situation, by shipping goods directly to US companies and attracting new FDI projects from corporations seeking to move their production centres outside of China. In the medium term, Vietnam’s economic growth prospects remain very strong.

Summary

BNP Paribas established representative offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 1989 and obtained a branch license for Ho Chi Minh in 1992. The bank is a member of the local Interbank Payment System and offers comprehensive cash management and international trade finance services in Vietnam. Clients have access to over 552 branches in Vietnam through a strategic local partnership.

BNP Paribas is a major player in trade finance throughout Asia, offering a full suite of traditional trade (letters of credit, bankers’ guarantee, trade financing, standby letters of credit, etc.) and supply chain financing solutions (receivables purchase programmes, supplier financing etc.) products, including a unique inventory solution offered through its trade centres in Australia, China, Japan and Singapore, specifically for companies engaged in international trade, as part of a wider network of more than 100 trade centres globally. BNP Paribas has experienced trade finance advisors and personnel who deliver a range of customised trade solutions and advise on local market practices. These solutions are supported by the bank's ISO-certified trade services support team.

Currency

  • Vietnamese dong (VND).

Bank accounts

  • A company is considered resident in Vietnam if it is incorporated in or has its place of effective management located in Vietnam.

BNP Paribas Cash Management Capabilities

Cash collections
Cheque collections
Direct debit collections
Domestic incoming transfers
Virtual IBAN
Virtual accounts
International incoming transfers
Card acquiring

Payments & collections

Cash remains the predominant payment method in Vietnam. However, the number of digital payments is increasing: the number of mobile payments reached nearly 700 million by end-August 2020, a 980% increase on the same period 2019. Covid has been a key driver of the shift in payment behaviour, but so too has the greater availability of contactless smart cards and the use of QR codes. The government has also been active in promoting digital payments. June 16 of each year has been named Non-Cash Day, for example, while regulation introduced in 2020, ensures that any person eligible to open a payment account is also eligible to apply for a debit card.

Electronic banking services are available from most banks. There is no national electronic banking standard in Vietnam, so companies use banks’ proprietary services. Online and mobile banking services are available. According to the central bank. Approximately 15 million people use online and mobile banking services every month.

Short term investments

Interest payable on credit balances

  • Interest-bearing current accounts are permitted in both VND and foreign currency.

Demand deposits

  • Demand deposits denominated in VND or major foreign currencies are available for various terms.

Time deposits

  • Time deposits are available in VND or major foreign currencies with terms ranging from one week to three years.
  • Minimum investment is typically VND 10 million, VND 20 million or
    USD 1,000.

Certificates of deposit

  • Domestic banks issue certificates of deposit in VND or major foreign currencies with terms ranging from one month to one year.
  • Certificates of deposit can be issued paying fixed or variable interest.

Treasury (government) bills

  • Treasury bills (T-bills) are issued by the State Treasury with maturities of less than one year (typically 13, 26 and 52 weeks).
  • The minimum investment is VND 100,000.
  • The Ministry of Finance limits the purchase and trading of T-bills to local or overseas Vietnamese organizations and foreign organizations in VietNam.
  • The State Bank of Vietnam issues SBV bills.

Commercial paper

  • Domestic commercial paper, in the form of promissory notes, is issued by domestic companies to residents in Vietnam.

Money market funds

  • Domestic money market funds are available but not widely used. 

Repurchase agreements

  • Repurchase agreements with maturities of less than one  year are available in Vietnam but  not widely used.

Bankers' acceptances

  • Bankers' acceptances are available in Vietnam.

BNP Paribas Trade Finance Capabilities

Documentary credits
Documentary collections

International trade

  • As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam has entered into the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) between member states (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam). Vietnam is also a member of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and is committed to reducing and eliminating tariffs between members.
  • As a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, Vietnam has agreed to liberalise trade and investment rules between members.