The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has issued Document No. 910/NHNN-VP dated February 6, 2026, addressed to all SBV entities, credit institutions, foreign bank branches, and payment intermediary service providers, requesting them to implement measures to ensure safe and sound banking operations during the Lunar New Year holiday (Year of the Horse 2026).
Accordingly, the SBV Governor has requested all relevant entities to focus on the following key tasks:
Proactive and flexible monetary policy management to support sustainable growth
The relevant entities are required to closely monitor the international and domestic economic developments in order to proactively and flexibly manage the monetary policy in close coordination with the appropriately expansionary fiscal policy and other macroeconomic policies. The policy implementation must align with inflation control objectives, contribute to maintaining the macro-economic stability, and support sustainable economic growth.
Appropriate credit management measures should be implemented in line with macroeconomic and monetary market developments. Credit growth must be safe and effective, directed toward production and business activities, priority sectors, and key growth drivers of the economy. Credit to potentially risky sectors must be strictly controlled.
In addition, the credit institutions are encouraged to simplify lending procedures, enhance digital transformation in credit appraisal and approval processes, and facilitate easier access bank loans for individuals and enterprises. Measures to strengthen gold market management should also be implemented.
Ensuring safe and smooth operation of information and payment systems
Relevant units must ensure the secure and uninterrupted operation of the National Interbank Electronic Payment System, clearing and financial transaction switching systems, payment service systems, and intermediary payment services, especially online payment services to meet the increased transaction demand before and during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Cash balancing and supply must be well organized to meet demand in both value and appropriate denominations. Vault and treasury safety and security must be ensured. Credit institutions and foreign bank branches are required to properly provide foreign exchange services, including foreign currency collection and exchange to serve foreign tourists.
The units must closely coordinate with competent authorities to strengthen inspection activities, promptly detect and strictly handle any violations of illicit foreign currency trading and unauthorized money exchange activities.
Strengthening security, safety, and administrative discipline
Leaders of all SBV entities are required to disseminate and strictly implement the regulations on security, safety, fire and explosion prevention, natural disaster preparedness, and counter-terrorism measures. Inspections and reviews must be conducted to ensure that adequate fire prevention and firefighting equipment is available and ready for use.
Security and safety measures at headquarters and transaction offices must be strengthened. Also, all entities must strictly comply with regulations on public service culture, administrative discipline and professional conduct, while preventing wastefulness and misconduct.
SBV regional branches are responsible for strengthening their monitoring and supervision of banking activities in their respective localities, promptly handling and reporting any arising issues to competent authorities.
Promptly meeting credit and payment demands
Credit institutions and foreign bank branches must ensure safe and effective credit growth. They are required to proactively formulate and implement capital mobilization and funding balance plans to fully and promptly meet credit demands for production, business, and consumption before, during, and after the Lunar New Year holiday. Credit should continue to be directed toward production and business activities, priority sectors, and key growth drivers of the economy, while maintaining strict control over potentially risky sectors.
Institutions must proactively monitor, assess, and forecast cash and payment demand, develop specific response plans, and allocate sufficient resources to meet the increased demand for cash and payment services during the holiday. Risk management measures must be strengthened to prevent, detect, and strictly handle violations in payment activities and cash transactions, particularly those related to the opening and use of payment accounts and bank cards.
Customer service quality should be enhanced through improved handling of inquiries and complaints. Communication efforts must be strengthened to warn customers about emerging fraud schemes on transaction platforms.
ATM operations must be closely monitored, with timely cash replenishment to ensure smooth and secure payment services. Vault security must be ensured to prevent robbery and asset theft.
Implementing social welfare policies and ensuring post-holiday readiness
The SBV requests all banking sector organizations to actively organize activities celebrating the 96th anniversary of the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam in conjunction with the Lunar New Year celebrations, fostering a joyful, united and confident atmosphere among officials, Party members, and employees.
Emulation movements and social welfare programs should be effectively implemented.
All SBV entities are required to proactively review and complete pending tasks before the holiday to avoid delays, arrange staff on duty during the holiday to promptly handle arising issues, and strictly comply with information and reporting regulations.
After the holiday, officials, civil servants, public employees, and workers across the banking sector must immediately resume work with a strong sense of responsibility, avoiding administrative bottlenecks and disruptions for individuals and businesses. Units are expected to enhance discipline, and administrative order, strive to accomplish tasks from the very first month of the year, and effectively implement the key tasks assigned in Directive No. 01/CT-NHNN dated January 9, 2026 on the banking sector’s key tasks for 2026, thereby creating momentum for acceleration and breakthroughs to successfully fulfill the sector’s objectives for 2026.