Preferential loans promote production in manufacturing facilities.
For nearly 30 years, Ms. Le Thi Phuong Thao’s family in Hamlet 2, Long Phu Town (Can Tho City) has continually transformed their livelihood. Around 2013, the family started aquaculture in Long Phu. A small production facility has now grown into our own aquaculture facility with 3 hectares of land, of which another 2 hectares are leased. In addition to shrimp farming, Ms. Thao’s family raises groupers and catfish and experiments with raising tilapia (mongrel fish). Every year the family has two shrimp and one fish harvests. The shrimp farming area covers 2 hectares with an average yield of about 40 tons per harvest. Fish production is 40-50 tons per year. On average, Ms. Thao’s family earns over VND2 billion annually.
The Ministry of Interior of Can Tho City coordinated the organization of a training course on credit policies for job creation and labor market policies in 2026 for officials in charge of labor and employment in municipalities and districts, as well as representatives of some companies in the city.
Over the past two years, the Thao family aquaculture plant has continuously optimized its production processes according to VietGAP standards and combined with microbial cultivation to gradually improve quality and strive for sustainable development. During this process, the facility was supported by low-interest loans. In June 2025, the Thao family took out a loan of VND630 million from the support program for job creation in manufacturing and economic enterprises.
“My family mainly uses the loan to purchase feed for shrimp and fish farming. By paying in cash, the farm significantly reduces costs compared to buying on credit. This can increase production efficiency by over 20%,” Ms. Thao explained.
Vietnam Social Policy Bank Can Tho branch officials visited a model aquaculture farm in Long Phu township and appreciated the effectiveness of the loan capital used to create jobs.
The low-interest loan not only helps Ms. Thao’s family reduce cost pressures and maintain stable production, but also creates regular jobs for around 15 employees. During peak season, the business employs around 20 people with an average monthly income of VND7 million per person.
Mr. Tran Van Dien, who works in Ms. Thao’s family’s aquaculture business, said: “My wife and I are from Cu Lao Dung. We have been working in this business for four years. Previously, our jobs were insecure. Since we started working here, we have a regular monthly income. I am currently in charge of the shrimp farming and take care of feeding, pond maintenance and water treatment, while my wife looks after the fish. The work is good, the income is secure and the owner provides accommodation That’s why my wife and I feel safe here and are committed to the work for the long term.”
Preferential loans are now more accessible to manufacturing and commercial businesses.
According to Ms. Trinh Bich Tuyen, deputy director of the Can Tho branch of the Social Policy Bank (SPB), the department has recently been working with various levels, sectors and media agencies to disseminate information and make the benefits of loan programs more accessible to individuals, manufacturing and commercial enterprises through its network of transaction points. Since the beginning of 2026, the loan program to promote job creation, retention and expansion has supported over 13,100 customers with a total of VND1,012 billion. Of these, over 50% of the outstanding loans are in the agricultural sector. In the area of manufacturing and commercial enterprises, there are currently two enterprises with outstanding loans totaling VND1.13 billion, securing 20 jobs.
Officials from Vietnam’s Bank for Social Policy guide customers through the application process for loans to support job creation.
According to Decree No. 338/2025/ND-CP, the maximum loan amount for individual entrepreneurs is VND 200 million, for manufacturing and commercial enterprises is VND 10 billion, and a maximum of VND 200 million per employee for the creation, maintenance and expansion of jobs. The maximum loan term is 120 months; the actual term is determined by the Vietnamese Bank for Social Policy (VBSP), taking into account the borrower’s capital resources and repayment ability. The loan interest rate is 127% of the current interest rate for loans to low-income households; The default interest is 130% of the currently applied interest rate. Increasing the credit limit not only expands access to capital for employees, sole proprietors, small businesses, craft villages and small craft businesses, but also creates the conditions for these businesses to invest in machinery, expand and hire more employees.
To ensure the speedy implementation of Decree No. 338/2025/ND-CP, the Can Tho branch of the Vietnamese Bank for Social Policy (VBSP) is accelerating the review and disbursement of loan projects. The capital is transferred in trust to socio-political organizations and delegated to savings and loan groups at village and neighborhood levels under the supervision of local authorities. This ensures that loan applications are reviewed transparently, the right beneficiaries are reached and actual needs are met. Even after disbursement, borrowers continue to be screened and monitored to provide them with timely support, help them overcome difficulties and improve the efficiency of capital use.
Through the employment loan program, social funds have promoted investments in production and business, creating and maintaining over 122,000 jobs. This helped reduce the unemployment rate in the region. The effectiveness of the loans is monitored and evaluated by the social bank based on the intended use of capital, effective investments in production and business, and the timely repayment of interest and principal.
Mr. Tieu Minh Duong, deputy director of the Can Tho City Interior Department, said the Employment Law of 2025 and the new provisions on loans to promote job creation are of practical importance for manufacturing and commercial enterprises. The Directive makes it easier for small businesses, cooperatives and traders to access preferential capital to maintain and expand their operations, create more jobs and contribute to local economic development and social security. However, in implementation, some manufacturing and commercial enterprises continue to encounter difficulties in accessing information and developing credit plans; some are still unsure about the required documents, procedures and loan collateral. It is therefore necessary to intensify communication, advice and concrete guidance to make it easier for companies to access the directive. The Ministry of Interior will continue to work closely with the city branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policy, relevant departments, authorities and local bodies in the coming period to disseminate information, provide guidance, assess credit needs and promptly support the resolution of difficulties so that the policy can be effectively implemented and put into practice.
Text and photos: KIEN QUOC
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