HANOI: Vietnam aims to expand its bond market to the equivalent of around 60% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2045 and position the capital market as a key source of medium and long-term financing for the economy, under a recently approved sweeping financial market reform plan.
The reform strategy, approved under Decision 1413/QD-TTg, envisions a more balanced financial market structure with stronger links between its banking, capital and insurance sectors, in line with the country’s target of high growth by 2045.
It sets out measures to strengthen the bond market through improved credit rating mechanisms, a broader range of products and upgraded market infrastructure.
Over the next five years, government bond issuance is expected to meet 60% to 65% of the state’s borrowing needs, while local government bond issuance is targeted to cover about 20% of local budget borrowing requirements during the same period.
For the corporate bond market, the government will implement credit rating requirements for public bond offerings and introduce mandatory credit ratings for privately placed bonds sold to individual investors.
New fundraising instruments will also be studied, including infrastructure bonds, environmental, social and governance bonds and public-private partnership project bonds.
The plan also includes the establishment of bond valuation service providers to improve price transparency and support investor decision-making, while strengthening certification mechanisms for green projects and green bonds in line with environmental regulations.
By 2045, outstanding bonds are projected to reach around 60% of GDP. The new target comes after Vietnam fell short of its previous bond market development goal.
Outstanding bonds were estimated at about 34% of GDP in 2025, compared with the government’s target of at least 47% for the 2021 to 2025 period.
Beyond the bond market, the reform plan aims to build a modern, integrated financial market that meets international standards by 2045, with the stock market playing a central role in mobilising capital and the International Financial Centre gradually becoming an important regional hub for capital flows and financial services.
By 2030, foreign investors’ holdings in the capital and stock markets are targeted to reach around 15% of GDP, while the net asset value of securities investment funds is expected to increase to about 5% of GDP.
For the insurance market, the plan aims to develop the insurance sector into a more important pillar of the financial system by mobilising long-term capital, strengthening social protection and supporting financial stability.
It targets average annual premium growth of 6% to 8% from 2026 through 2045, with 20% of the population covered by life insurance by 2045 and average insurance premiums reaching seven million dong per person annually. — Viet Nam News/ANN
