The State Bank of Vietnam published an update on the National Steering Committee for Financial Inclusion’s second meeting, outlining progress under Vietnam’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy and priorities for the next stage. Senior Deputy Governor Dao Minh Tu reported that five of the strategy’s nine targets are likely to be achieved, and the Prime Minister assigned the State Bank of Vietnam a central role in coordinating the five-year review through 2025 and preparing the strategy for 2026-2030, with an emphasis on digital transformation and non-cash payments. Reported implementation results included an expanded legal framework (eight laws, 11 decrees and 10 decisions issued), a distribution network of more than 15 bank branches and transaction offices per 100,000 people, and financial service points present in more than 32% of communes and towns. Non-cash payment transaction value was reported to have risen by more than 34%, with some public-sector areas reaching 100% online and non-cash payments. Targets assessed as on track covered adult account ownership, growth in non-cash transactions, the number of small and medium-sized enterprises with outstanding credit, credit outstanding for agriculture and rural development, and the share of adults with credit history information in the State Bank of Vietnam’s credit information system, while other targets (including physical access points and adult savings at credit institutions) were still being evaluated. Next steps focus on completing the five-year review and developing objectives, indicators and measures for 2026-2030, including greater use of digital platforms and fintech tools such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and big data, improvements to supporting infrastructure and databases, expanded access to credit, and strengthened measures against cybercrime. The State Bank of Vietnam was tasked to guide ministries and localities in the review process, consolidate reporting, and develop the next-phase strategy, including integration with three national target programmes.