Comprehensive Digital Finance: The Era of Data and Digital Assets

On September 18, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam Retail Banking Forum 2025 took place with the theme "Comprehensive digital finance: The era of data and digital assets - Towards a modern and sustainable financial center".

Tài chính số toàn diện: Kỷ nguyên dữ liệu và tài sản số hướng đến Trung tâm tài chính hiện đại, bền vững - Ảnh 1. — *Overview of Vietnam Retail Banking Forum 2025*

The event is considered an important annual forum of the banking industry, where managers, experts and businesses share perspectives on digital transformation trends, discuss solutions to promote comprehensive digital finance and shape the future of the International Financial Center in Vietnam.

Digital Transformation - The Driving Force Shaping the Future of Finance

From the forum, it can be seen that digital transformation is not only a trend but has become an inevitable requirement, guiding the financial development strategy until 2030. If in the previous period, the goal was to expand access to financial services for all people, by 2025, the financial sector has shifted its focus to modernization and international integration. The government is promoting digital banking, cashless payments, electronic identification and the fintech sandbox mechanism to test new financial models. This is the foundation for forming a globally competitive financial center.

Mr. Nguyen Phi Hung - Deputy General Director of Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MSB), shared: "Over 90% of customer transactions are via digital platforms. Digital transformation is inevitable, we have to invest more, there is almost no way back".

Tài chính số toàn diện: Kỷ nguyên dữ liệu và tài sản số hướng đến Trung tâm tài chính hiện đại, bền vững - Ảnh 2. — *Digital transformation becomes the driving force to help the banking system digitalize comprehensively, increasing international competitiveness.*

At the Vietnam Retail Banking Forum 2025, FiinGroup representative said that 88% of commercial banks have a digital finance strategy, only 22% are in the process of drafting.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Thuan - Chairman of FiinGroup & FiinRatings, commented: "The figures show that the digital finance trend in the banking industry is taking place strongly. The benefits are clearly shown in cost efficiency, but the challenge is that banks must build an open ecosystem, connecting not only with payment intermediaries but also e-commerce platforms, credit scoring units, helping to find customers, manage risks and allocate credit better".

Crypto Assets - The Foundation for Building an International Financial Center

According to experts, the strategy for developing the International Financial Center is to connect the banking ecosystem - fintech - capital market, along with the role of data and digital assets in shaping the future financial model. In particular, the development orientation of the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City is directly linked to big data, artificial intelligence and digital asset models, going beyond the scope of basic financial access.

Among these factors, digital assets - especially crypto assets - are being seen as an important piece in building an international financial center.

Prof. Dr. Tran Hung Son - Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Law, analyzed: "Crypto assets will be a component part of the international financial market. The first phase can be piloted, such as Resolution 5 of the Government. It is necessary to refer to the Swiss crypto asset issuance model, while focusing on protecting investors' rights like Singapore and Germany to encourage them to participate in the market".

Data - Strategic Asset in the Digital Age

According to experts, data is a strategic asset of financial institutions, the basis for designing personalized products, optimizing customer experience and improving operational efficiency. Along with exploiting data value, requirements for information security and risk management are increasingly stringent, requiring organizations to strictly comply with legal regulations to protect customers and maintain confidence in the financial system.

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