The Asian Bankers Association (ABA) and Qorus, an ABA Knowledge Partner, in cooperation with the Vietnam Banks Association (VNBA), and ABA Associate Member, would like to invite ABA members and friends to join a Vietnam Learning Expedition (VLEX) on 5-8 October 2025 to visit the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where important meetings with high-ranking Government officials, regulators, major local banks’ ranking officers, innovation centers and other key banking related organizations will be held. The VLEX aims to provide deep insights into Vietnam’s financial market, and will help facilitate decisions to expand operations in Vietnam and allocate capital on emerging opportunities in fintech.
(1) OBJECTIVES
(a) Establish direct communication with The State Bank of Vietnam, leaders of the largest Vietnamese banks, policy makers, fintech and banking application producers.
(b) Understand first-hand the current financial and banking conditions of the Vietnam market (US$4,282.09 per capita income) and the opportunities arising from banking operations and banking technology.
(2) MACROECONOMICS CONTEXT
Vietnam is experiencing an economic transformation following the migration of the supply chain’s operation from China to Vietnam. Economic growth in 2024 was 7.09%, and projected to be 6.8% in 2025 and 6.5% in 2026 (World Bank figures), powered by a rebound in technology exports and strong investment. International and regional banks running syndicate and international trade operations should observe, understand and establish solid contacts in Vietnam as the country will be a main beneficiary of changes in the emerging international trade scheme.
The VLEX will focus on Vietnam’s two key markets, namely, Hanoi, where national policy is created, and where meetings will be arranged with all major Vietnamese banks and Central Bank Government Officials, and Ho Chi Min City, where a dynamic ecosystem of banking application companies are developing banking solutions that range from ID systems, cybersecurity, software development, to digitalization. Vietnam is home to top students in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields (STEM), attracting investment from foreign banks in developing technology for use, not only in Vietnam but, across ASEAN.
Good things are happening in Vietnam and it is a market that needs focused attention. Join us!
(3) TENTATIVE AGENDA
Sunday 5 October 2025
16:00+ Arrival at Melia Hotel, Hanoi.
17:30 A la carte welcome cocktail at Ministry Concept Bar.
19:00 Welcome Dinner at Melia Hanoi’s Cham restaurant. Welcome Remarks by Mr Pham Toan Vuong, Agribank Director and VNBA Chairman.
Day 1 - Monday 6 October 2025 - Introduction to the Vietnamese banking sector
08:30 Registration.
09:00 Welcome Remarks by John Berry, Qorus CEO.
09:20 State Bank of Vietnam, Foreign Bank Supervision Head, on “An innovative sector moving to a cashless society, recent developments.”
09:50 Chaiyarit Anuchitworawong, Bangkok Bank SEVP, on “Foreign Banking operations in Vietnam, successes and lessons learnt."
10:20 WB/IFC on “The role of the banking sector in the healthy economy, where are the opportunities.”
10:50 Coffee break
11:10 Vietcombank CEO
11:40 Nguyen Duc Vinh, VP Bank CEO.
12:10 Tran Cong Quynh Lan, Vietin Bank Deputy CEO.
12:45 Lunch.
14:00 C-Level or CEO, TechcomBank on “Techcombank’s move into technology.”
14:45 Fred Lim, TNEX Digital Bank Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.
15:30 Coffee break
15:45 Nguyen Thuy Hanh, Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam CEO.
16:30 Closing Remarks by ABA & Qorus representatives.
19:00 Gala Dinner at the Michelin star-rated Vietnamese restaurant Tam V!
Potential additional participants:
- Allianz
- Nguyen Quang, Cake Bank CEO, on “Making Digital Banks work.”
- Nguyen Hoan Linh, Maritime Bank CEO.
Day 2 – Tuesday 7 October 2025
09:00 Departure from Melia Hotel.
09:30 Visit to the Innovation Center of Techcom bank.
11:00 State Bank of Vietnam on “Evolution of the regulations for foreign banks and fintechs.”
12:30 Lunch at L7 West Lake Hanoi by Lotte.
13:45 Departure to Hanoi Airport.
16:10 Flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
19:00 Welcome Cocktail followed by Ho Chi Minh Fusion dinner at Pullman Saigon Centre Hotel’s Maddie’s terrace with Keynote Speaker Jens Ruebbert, Asia Director LBBW
Day 3 – Wednesday 8 October 2025 - Ho Chi Min City, Banks and Fintechs driving success through technology
08:30 Registration at Pullman Saigon Centre 1st floor.
09:00 Vietnam Banks Association welcomes delegates.
09:30 Panel Discussion with Delphine Rouselet, Eurocham/BNPP CD/ Jens Ruebbert LBBW Asia, moderated by Raphael Goue.
Themes for discussion: (a) Is this the time to invest again? (b) What are the business opportunities?
International banks face serious challenges in Vietnam. For instance, in the 2000’s decade, European banks such as BNP in Orient Bank, SocGen in Seabank, others invested heavily in Vietnam. However, by the 2010’s, they disposed most of their investments in Vietnam.
10:00 Jonas Eichhorst, TIMO Bank CEO on “Perspective on operating a digital bank in Vietnam.”
10:30 Coffee break.
11:00 MoMo, The most popular Digital Wallet in Vietnam.
11:30 AIA-Sumit Nangia on “Driving Business success through tech and operations transformation.”
12:00 Closing Remarks by Qorus, ABA & VNBA representatives.
12:30 Standing Networking Lunch with local and Europeans bankers operating in Vietnam.
(4) COST
20% Early Bird registration discount valid until 1 September 2025.
(a) ABA members and Qorus Members will pay US$2,999 per delegate.
(b) Non-ABA & Non-Qorus members will pay US$3,499 per delegate.
The registration fee covers cost for cocktails, dinners, lunch, coffee breaks, translators, and transportation. All delegates shall cover their own airfare, hotel stay and miscellaneous expenses.
(5) PROPOSED VENUE & ACOMMODATION
The Expedition will be held 2-days in Hanoi (Melia Hotel) and 1-day in Ho Chi Minnh (Pullman Saigon Centre Hotel).
(6) REGISTRATION
Please click HERE to register in a Google form. We will contact you directly to proceed with payment.
Early Bird Registration Deadline: 1 September 2025.
(7) TERMS
- Early Bird Payment should be received on or before 1 September 2025 to guarantee the discount. ABA and Qorus reserve the right to deny entry to the participant if payment has not been received before the start of the programme.
- The VLEX is subject to a minimum number of participants and may be cancelled by the organizers at their discretion, without liability on their part. In the event of cancellation, the organizers will inform registered participants by 1 October 2025 and will fully refund payment made.
For further information please contact mig.moreno@aba.org.tw at the ABA secretariat.
