The State Bank of Vietnam issues urgent directives to ensure payment security during the 2026 Tet holiday.
The State Bank of Vietnam has instructed the entire system to strengthen security, ensure sufficient cash reserves, and be vigilant against fraud, in response to the surge in transaction risks at the end of the year.
Urgent requirements ahead of peak trading hours.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has just issued an urgent document, requesting credit institutions and payment intermediaries to simultaneously implement various solutions to ensure safe and smooth payment operations during the end of 2025 and the Lunar New Year 2026.
The directive was issued in the context of the financial and banking system facing increasing cybersecurity risks, especially as the demand for transactions from individuals and businesses surged. According to Circular No. 11241/NHNN-TT issued on December 19, 2025, the State Bank of Vietnam emphasized the importance of proactively preventing and deterring fraudulent activities and protecting the rights of customers.
According to data from the State Bank of Vietnam, the banking sector is leading in digital transformation, with the rate of transactions conducted through digital channels reaching up to 95% at many institutions. Currently, the financial switching and electronic clearing system processes an average of over 41 million transactions per day, while the value of transactions through the interbank payment system reaches over 1.55 trillion VND/day. The large scale of transactions poses significant challenges to system security.
Key solutions have been implemented.
To ensure safety, the State Bank of Vietnam requires units to strictly implement many specific measures:
- Ensure ATM and payment processing is running smoothly:Proactively develop plans for cash replenishment, system maintenance, and the deployment of mobile ATMs in key areas such as industrial parks and export processing zones to avoid overload or running out of cash.
- Tighten procedures and security:Strictly adhere to procedures for opening and using bank accounts, cards, and e-wallets. Strengthen supervision of payment acceptance points to prevent misuse for illegal purposes.
- Increase user awareness:Strengthen communication and warnings about new scams, especially online scams. Guide customers on measures to protect their personal information and absolutely do not provide data to strangers.
Financial security is a matter of national security.
At the seminar "Protecting National Financial Security in the Digital Age" held on December 23rd, experts affirmed that the financial and banking system is a frequent target of cross-border cybercrime.
Speaking at the event, Lieutenant General Nguyen Minh Chinh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Cybersecurity Association, emphasized that financial security is not only an economic risk but can also directly threaten national sovereignty in the digital space. He stated that the biggest challenge today is the organization and enforcement of laws, requiring synchronized coordination and a forward-thinking approach to crime.
From a management perspective, Mr. Phan Thai Dung, Deputy Director of the Information Technology Department (State Bank of Vietnam), also stated that ensuring cybersecurity and preventing high-tech crimes is identified as a key and ongoing task for the entire banking sector in order to build a safe and transparent financial environment for citizens and businesses.
