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On the morning of April 29, 2026, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung chaired a meeting with the State Bank of Vietnam on the banking sector's performance in the first months of 2026; directions, key tasks for the near term, and the proposals and recommendations. The Prime Minister asked the SBV to actively monitor developments in the domestic and international financial and monetary markets, and to track policy adjustments by central banks and major economies, enhancing forecasting and analysis capacity to ensure timely, flexible, and effective policy responses. In addition, the SBV should manage monetary policy proactively, flexibly, and effectively; coordinate closely and consistently with fiscal policy and other macro policies. Implement policy measures to stabilize the interest rate level at an appropriate, effective, and substantive level; instruct credit institutions to continue reducing operating costs and accelerate the adoption of technology; promptly review, study, and amend existing regulations within their authority, with appropriate measures to ensure liquidity for the banking system. The Prime Minister also directed the SBV to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance in revising regulations and implementing measures to promote capital market development and the international financial center to ease pressure on the banking system; including amending Decree 153 on corporate bonds, clearly specifying criteria, standards, and conditions for transparency, openness, and fairness so that all credible credit institutions may, if they meet the necessary capacity and standards, conduct asset-management activities for private corporate bonds, while requiring data integration with state management agencies for oversight. Manage credit growth flexibly in line with developments and realities, linking to assessments of credit quality and a balanced, effective credit structure, directing credit flows to productive sectors, priority sectors, and growth drivers. The Prime Minister also tasked the SBV with urgently studying and proposing amendments to laws related to lending beyond limits for credit institutions for strategic national projects, strengthening the responsibility of credit institutions for monitoring credit quality and evaluating project effectiveness. Carefully calculate, monitor and supervise lending to high-risk areas; including studying the classification of real estate types to set appropriate lending limits, encouraging the development of social housing and industrial zones…
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
