Timely support
Previously, the family of Ms. Pham Thi Van, a member of the Phuc Loc 1 Residential Area Women’s Union (Hung Dao District), was considered a poor household with economic difficulties. Since 1997 to date, thanks to the guarantee of the Hung Dao District Women’s Union, Ms. Van has received loans from the Social Policy Bank in five installments, totaling more than 214 million VND, to invest in agricultural machinery, purchase livestock, and cover her children’s education expenses.
With a preferential loan, his family gradually expanded their production model with an integrated agriculture area (VAC) of approximately 11,000 m², including fruit orchards, fish ponds and stables, generating a stable income. Ms. Van commented that, thanks to the loan and guidance from the neighborhood Women’s Union, her family has been able to develop its production, her son has completed his studies and found employment, and her economic situation is becoming more and more stable.
According to Pham Thi Minh Phuong, vice president of the Vietnam Patriotic Front Committee of Hung Dao District and president of the Hung Dao District Women’s Union, as of early 2026, the total outstanding entrusted loans managed by the Union exceeded VND70.45 billion, with 1,315 borrowing households. Thanks to preferential capital, many women have boldly invested in the development of agricultural holdings, the expansion of service companies and the gradual escape from poverty in a sustainable way. The Union also focuses on rigorous capital management, monitoring the proper use of funds and maintaining a low default rate.
In Gia Vien District, the mandated loan disbursement activities have also been implemented effectively. As of November 2025, the total balance of outstanding loans, managed by the district Women’s Union through the Social Policy Bank, exceeded VND109 billion in 34 savings and loan groups with 1,416 borrowing households. According to Ms. Le Thi Thuy Trang, president of the district Women’s Union, in the first two months of 2026, the union disbursed loans to more than 70 members and policy beneficiaries, with a maximum amount of VND100 million per case.
By the end of 2025, the total outstanding loans managed by the Women’s Union at all levels reached VND6,521 million, an increase of more than VND1,057 million compared to 2024, with 92,721 borrowing households in 2,326 savings and loan groups. The capital managed by the Union represented 47.7% of the total outstanding loans throughout the city, the highest among all the organizations in charge. The average outstanding loans per household reached VND70.3 million. The default rate was just 0.05%, the lowest among all commissioning organizations. Thanks to this capital, the Union at all levels helped 1,464 poor and near-poor households escape poverty.
Improve the quality of entrusted operations
Despite the achievements, the credit activities entrusted in some localities still face difficulties. Disbursement of funds allocated to poor and near-poor households is sometimes slow due to incomplete lists of eligible people, while demand for job-creating loans is increasing.
After the merger of administrative boundaries, more than 60% of grassroots association officials are new employees and hold multiple positions, which makes it somewhat difficult to carry out their work. In addition, the large geographic area, the large number of savings and loan groups, and the large number of borrowing households also put pressure on inspection and supervision efforts.
To overcome these limitations, Vu Huu Huy, deputy director of the Hai Phong City branch of the Social Policy Bank, suggested that all levels of the Women’s Union coordinate closely with the Social Policy Bank to advise local authorities on strengthening debt recovery measures, focusing on the management of overdue debts of savings and loans institutions with high debt ratios. At the same time, it is necessary to review and manage the debts of borrowers who have died or who have long left the town.
According to Tran Thu Huong, vice president of the Vietnam Patriotic Front Committee and president of the City Women’s Union, in the near future, the Women’s Union, at all levels, will continue to closely coordinate with the Social Policy Bank to improve the quality of entrusted activities. This includes focusing on practical training of officials of the Women’s Union and savings and loan associations, as well as strengthening the application of digital technology in capital management.
NGUYEN NGUYEN
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