VPBank Proposes Studying a Vietnam–Japan Financial Corridor
At a November 11 meeting in Tokyo between Vietnam’s leader and Japanese financial institutions, VPBank’s chairman proposed that VPBank and SMBC study a financial corridor for Vietnamese private businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises, focused on supply chain finance, long-term capital and connections between businesses in the two countries.
On November 11, 2026, Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President, met with more than 20 Japanese financial institutions in Tokyo. Speaking as chairman of Ngân hàng TMCP Việt Nam Thịnh Vượng (VPBank), Ngô Chí Dũng proposed that VPBank and SMBC study the creation of a Vietnam–Japan financial corridor for Vietnamese private businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises, building on their strategic partnership. The corridor remains a proposal for study.
Ngô Chí Dũng said Vietnamese private businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, need access to long-term capital, management capabilities and international markets at the same time. He noted that Resolution No. 68 of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Politburo identifies the private sector as one of the most important drivers of the national economy.
The proposal has three priorities: developing supply chain finance to help Vietnamese businesses raise their standards and participate in Japanese companies’ value chains; connecting them with long-term capital to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, the green transition and strategic infrastructure projects; and strengthening links between businesses in the two countries in markets, technology and investment.
Under VPBank’s proposal, the bank would contribute its customer network, financing capabilities and knowledge of the Vietnamese market, while SMBC would draw on its management experience, ability to raise international capital and network of Japanese businesses. The two sides hope this would help Vietnamese businesses access resources and expand into international markets, but specific cooperation arrangements remain to be studied.
Source: VietVance
