In line with the directives of the Prime Minister and the State Bank of Vietnam, the State Bank of Vietnam Region 7 has proactively guided credit flows towards priority sectors, particularly the agriculture and rural sectors, helping shift production towards larger-scale, high-tech, green and sustainable models.

As of the end of May 2026, total outstanding loans of credit institutions in Region 7, excluding the Vietnam Development Bank, stood at VND 699 trillion, up 5.06% from the end of 2025 and 17.4% year on year. Of this amount, outstanding loans in Ninh Binh reached VND 433.3 trillion, accounting for 62% of the region’s total, while Thanh Hoa recorded VND 265.7 trillion, representing 38%.

The credit structure continued to shift in line with the policy directions of the Government and the State Bank of Vietnam. Outstanding loans to the agriculture and rural sectors increased by 1.11% from the end of 2025 and accounted for 66.4% of total outstanding loans to priority sectors. Credit also continued to support small and medium-sized enterprises, the export sector, supporting industries and high-tech enterprises.

As a major provider of finance for rural development, Agribank continues to play a pivotal role as a key commercial bank, with more than 60% of its total outstanding loans allocated to agriculture. At Agribank Thanh Hoa alone, total funding exceeded VND 30.8 trillion as of May 2026, while outstanding loans stood at approximately VND 31.6 trillion. This financing has enabled local communities to expand production, invest in technology and increase the value of agricultural products.

A notable example is the high-tech melon farm developed by Mr Ha Cong Dang in the Sao Vang area of Tho Xuan District. With advice and support from staff at Agribank Lam Son Branch, Mr Dang was granted a credit limit of up to VND 2 billion. With an initial disbursement of VND 900 million, he invested in 5,000 square metres of greenhouses and net houses, together with an automated irrigation system for high-tech melon cultivation.

The farm currently produces between 15 and 17 tonnes per crop, with four crops each year. It generates profits running into billions of dong and also helps nine neighbouring households market their produce. The farm’s products have earned a three-star rating under Vietnam’s One Commune One Product (OCOP) Programme.

Other Agribank-financed ventures in Thanh Hoa have also gradually developed, including a greenhouse asparagus farm in Hau Loc District and the Hung Huyen fermented pork roll production facility in Hoang Hoa, which has expanded its operations and obtained OCOP certification.

According to Mr Luu Van Hieu, Deputy Director of Agribank Thanh Hoa, credit officers do more than facilitate access to finance. They also work alongside customers by providing advice on production models and guidance on clean production criteria. Agribank Thanh Hoa will continue to prioritise financing for OCOP models and organic agriculture, offer preferential lending rates and streamline loan disbursement procedures.

The effectiveness of credit financing is further enhanced when combined with support mechanisms and policies introduced by local authorities. During the 2021–2025 period, Thanh Hoa Province disbursed more than VND 1.45 trillion from the budget to support agricultural development. Greenhouse and net-house cultivation models meeting VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards currently generate average profits of approximately VND 200 million per hectare per year, three times the level generated by conventional farming.

Entering the 2026–2030 period, amid the challenges posed by climate change and increasingly demanding market requirements, localities in Region 7 are continuing to refine policies supporting land consolidation and the development of organic, green and circular agriculture. They are also considering financial support for seeds, fertilisers, organic certification, and farm access and intra-field transport infrastructure.

Coordination among the State Bank of Vietnam Region 7, local authorities and credit institutions, with Agribank playing a pioneering role, is helping ensure that credit continues to reach the intended beneficiaries. This cooperation supports local people and businesses in adopting new approaches to production, improving economic efficiency and building a modern, green and circular agricultural sector that contributes to sustainable rural development.

Kylie Nguyen