Banks provide support to fishermen to venture out to sea and maintain their livelihoods.

Behind the joy of the fishermen lies the enduring support of policy-based credit – a resource that is helping many coastal households invest in fishing gear, maintain their livelihoods, and confidently stay at sea for extended periods…

Thời báo Ngân hàng•13/05/2026

"The lifebuoy" for fishermen

Over the years, policy-based credit provided by the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) has become a "lifeline" for many fishermen along the coast of Lam Dong province. Thanks to these preferential loans, many households have been able to invest in fishing gear, expand their seafood exploitation activities, increase their income, and gradually stabilize their lives.

Speaking to the Banking Times, Mr. Ly Khau Nghia, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) branch in Lam Dong province and Director of the VBSP Binh Thuan branch, said that the fishing industry has the characteristic of requiring quite high investment costs. From purchasing fishing gear and modifying boats to fuel for each fishing trip, a significant amount of capital is needed. Meanwhile, most fishermen are small-scale laborers whose income depends on the weather and catch volume... Therefore, for fishermen, policy credit is not just a preferential loan that is easy to access, but also a driving force for them to confidently stay at sea, maintain their profession, stabilize their livelihoods, and rise out of poverty sustainably…

In Mui Ne ward, where the majority of residents are involved in fishing and traditional sea-related occupations such as net weaving, fish sauce making, and aquaculture, policy-based credit has played a crucial role in helping many households improve their lives and stabilize their jobs. The family of Ms. Le Thi Kim Loan in Long Son neighborhood is a typical example. Through the local Women's Union, she received a 50 million VND loan from the Social Policy Bank's employment support, maintenance, and expansion program to invest in purchasing fishing nets.

This is the loan model for purchasing fishing gear used by Ms. Le Thi Kim Loan in Long Son neighborhood, Mui Ne ward.

Ms. Loan said that previously, due to outdated fishing gear, the catch yield was low, and each fishing trip provided an unstable income. Since accessing preferential loans to invest in new nets, the fishing efficiency has increased significantly, and her family has a more stable source of income. Not only has her family's life become more stable, but it has also created jobs for two local workers. "For us, policy-based loans are truly a support system that allows us to continue working in the fishing industry," Ms. Loan shared.

Not only Mrs. Loan's family, but many other coastal households in Lam Dong are also experiencing daily changes thanks to preferential loans. In Ward 5, Phu Thuy commune, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hiep received a loan of 70 million VND through the local Farmers' Association to invest in purchasing fishing gear for seafood harvesting.

Mr. Hiep said that previously, most local fishermen mainly worked as hired hands on large ships or fished in coastal waters due to a lack of investment capital. Meanwhile, the cost of purchasing motorized boats and fishing gear was quite high compared to the financial capabilities of many households. After receiving a loan from the Social Policy Bank, he invested in buying more fishing nets. As a result, the catch increased, and the number of fishing trips also increased. His family's economy gradually stabilized, and it also created jobs for some local laborers," Mr. Hiep said.

For Ms. Hoang Thi Kim Hang in Tien Thanh ward, preferential loan capital is like a "lifeline" during the most difficult times for the fishing profession. According to Ms. Hang, different types of fish appear each season, so fishermen have to invest in many different types of nets to achieve effective fishing. Meanwhile, during the stormy season, boats are docked, and people still have to repair boats, mend nets, buy fuel, and cover many other living expenses. Thanks to the loan from the Social Policy Bank, my family has been able to buy more fishing gear, pay laborers, and proactively prepare for fishing trips.

Thanks to the new fishing nets, the family of Mr. Nguyen Duc Hiep in Ward 5, Phu Thuy Commune, has increased their fishing trips and stabilized their lives.

Thanks to the new nets, the family of Mr. Nguyen Duc Hiep in Ward 5, Phu Thuy Commune, has increased the efficiency of their fishing trips and stabilized their lives.

According to Ms. Nguyen Huyen Ton Nu Vu Anh, Head of the Savings and Loan Group in Ward 5, Tien Thanh Commune, most households borrowing from the group use the capital for its intended purpose, investing in fishing gear, improving fishing capacity, and increasing income. The capital from the Social Policy Bank helps people avoid high-interest loans or buying fishing gear on credit as before. Many households have thus been able to maintain their fishing livelihoods and stabilize their lives year after year. In particular, the people's awareness of saving, paying monthly interest, and repaying principal on time is very good, so there are almost no overdue debts…

"Transactions conducted at home, disbursement of funds at the commune level"

According to Mr. Ly Khau Nghia, in recent months, fuel prices have continuously increased, and the dwindling nearshore seafood catch has forced fishermen to venture further out to sea, significantly raising fishing costs and putting considerable pressure on them. In this context, access to preferential loans is particularly important, helping them maintain production and feel secure in their work at sea. Furthermore, the implementation of loans under Resolution No. 71 of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Council, with a maximum loan amount of up to 200 million VND and a repayment period of up to 10 years, has opened up more opportunities for many fishermen to invest in expanding production and venturing further offshore.

For fishermen along the coast of Lam Dong province, policy-based credit is not only a means of livelihood but also instills confidence, allowing them to venture out to sea and maintain their livelihoods.

“The unit always proactively surveys the actual needs of the people according to each season, coordinating closely with local authorities to promptly report to higher levels to supplement capital for households with effective business plans. For fishermen, especially during prolonged periods of rough seas, policy-based capital is of great significance in maintaining livelihoods and avoiding production disruptions,” Mr. Nghia added.

In addition, the Binh Thuan branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) continues to effectively promote the model of community-based transaction points following the motto "Transactions at home, disbursement in the commune". This saves people time and travel costs, and makes it easier for them to access capital. Immediately after receiving the capital allocation, the unit proactively coordinated with local authorities to review eligible borrowers, ensuring that the capital reaches the right beneficiaries and is used most effectively.

In the first four months of 2026, the Binh Thuan branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) disbursed over 89.4 billion VND to nearly 1,950 borrowers. Specifically, the loan program supporting job creation, maintenance, and expansion reached approximately 56 billion VND for 870 workers, including many coastal fishing households. To date, the unit's total outstanding loan balance is nearly 755 billion VND, with over 16,000 poor households and policy beneficiaries still having outstanding loans. Mobilized capital reached over 171.9 billion VND, a 10% increase compared to the beginning of the year.

Transaction activities have remained stable at 19 commune-level transaction points, contributing to improved credit quality and effectively serving the borrowing needs of the local people.

In addition to helping people access capital for marine economic development, the Binh Thuan branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) also strives to bring preferential capital closer to fishermen through its network of commune-level transaction points throughout the province. Currently, there are 353 Savings and Loan Groups in the province, of which 325 are rated as good. Transaction activities are maintained stably at 19 commune-level transaction points, contributing to improving credit quality and effectively serving the borrowing needs of the people…

It is clear that for fishermen along the coast of Lam Dong, policy-based credit is not only a means of livelihood but also instills confidence, allowing them to venture out to sea and stay there for extended periods. From loans that are not excessively large but timely and practical, many households have gradually stabilized their lives, expanded production, and risen out of poverty. Amidst the sun-drenched and windswept coastal villages, preferential capital continues to flow quietly to each household, empowering fishing boats to continue venturing out to sea and staying there. And behind each peaceful fishing trip is the enduring companionship of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) system – like a "lighthouse" illuminating the livelihood journey of fishermen in the coastal region of Lam Dong.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/ngan-hang-tiep-suc-ngu-dan-vuon-khoi-bam-bien-181859.html