The interest rate reduction is 2% per year, applicable to outstanding loans at the Social Policy Bank from October 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. The beneficiaries are borrowers under policy credit programs, including organizations and individuals in the four provinces of Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, Dak Lak , and Lam Dong – areas heavily affected by Typhoon No. 13. Previously, on December 4, the Prime Minister also signed Decision 2654/QD-TTg, which stipulates a 2% per year interest rate reduction for three months for customers affected by the typhoon and floods.
Since July, following the severe damage caused by storms and floods in the North, Central, and Central Highlands regions, the State Bank of Vietnam has directed credit institutions to take measures to support customers in the affected areas. According to the State Bank, storms and floods from July to date have affected approximately 250,000 customers with outstanding loans of nearly VND 60,000 billion. Credit institutions have restructured repayment terms for many customers; reduced interest rates by 0.5%-2% per year for 3-6 months for nearly 24,000 customers with outstanding loans of approximately VND 14,000 billion; and implemented loan programs to restore production and business after the storms with preferential interest rates totaling approximately VND 70,000 billion. To date, credit institutions have disbursed nearly VND 1,500 billion in loans to approximately 6,500 customers. Specifically, for the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sector, credit institutions have disbursed approximately 600 billion VND to about 4,000 customers.
The figure of 600 billion VND lent by credit institutions to the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sector mentioned above is obviously still modest. However, in reality, this is the most practical sector, with the strongest ripple effect and the most effective results, as it is considered the "pillar" of the current economy. For example, according to recently released data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment , in the first 11 months of the year, the total import and export turnover of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries products in Vietnam reached over 64 billion USD, an increase of nearly 13% compared to the same period last year, with a trade surplus of nearly 20 billion USD (an increase of 19% compared to the same period last year). It is estimated that for the whole year of 2025, the import and export turnover of the entire sector will reach approximately 70 billion USD, with a trade surplus of about 21 billion USD, exceeding the set target.
The above results can be seen as a "bright spot" for the economy , especially in the context of economic difficulties caused by climate change, natural disasters, and fluctuations in the global market. In particular, the agricultural sector has maintained a growth rate of approximately 4% per year for many years, making a significant contribution to the overall economic growth. In 2025 alone, this sector is expected to contribute about 5.5% to the country's GDP growth.
The Central Highlands and South Central regions, severely affected by recent storms and floods, are now being considered a new "growth pole" as they possess both coastal and forested areas, suitable soil and climate for industrial crop development, and numerous lagoons and bays ideal for aquaculture. These areas offer significant advantages for building agricultural, forestry, and fisheries value chains for export. Therefore, the government's policy of providing interest rate subsidies to businesses and local residents affected by natural disasters is necessary and timely. In the short term, this policy helps people overcome the consequences of natural disasters and restore their livelihoods. Furthermore, in the long term, it is an effective policy to restore production resources, ensure supply for export, and strengthen the agricultural sector, a cornerstone of the current economy.
However, along with the support policies, procedures need to be streamlined and made more convenient for individuals, households, and businesses to access loans. This will allow them to promptly start production and business activities as the harvest season approaches, especially during the Lunar New Year. Simultaneously, inspection and supervision need to be tightened to prevent the abuse of interest rate reduction policies or the misuse of loan capital.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/cung-co-nguon-luc-kinh-te-post829947.html
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