Enduring trust, stable livelihoods through social policy credit

More than a year after the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat issued Directive No. 39-CT/TW on October 30, 2024, regarding the enhancement of social policy credit effectiveness in the new context, Dong Nai has witnessed strong and comprehensive transformations.

Credit programmes implemented by the Dong Nai-based Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) continue to affirm the humanitarian capital, serving as a solid mainstay for tens of thousands of poor households, policy-beneficiary families, students, and other vulnerable groups.

Rigorous oversight ensures transparency in policy credit

Immediately after Directive 39-CT/TW was promulgated, the Dong Nai Provincial Party Standing Committee introduced a series of plans and action programmes for relevant units. Each department, sector, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and socio-political organisations were assigned clear responsibilities, ensuring cohesion and consistency across the entire political system.

Representatives of the Dong Nai-based VBSP and relevant agencies visit an economic development model in Tho Tien Hamlet, Xuan Loc Commune. Photo: Hoang Vu

At the grassroots level, 270 commune-level transaction points continue to operate regularly, with all procedures from household appraisal and public listing to supervision conducted transparently and in full compliance with regulations. By 2025, most members of the provincial-level Board of Directors had directly conducted inspections at the grassroots. Entrusted socio-political organisations carried out nearly 880 inspections at the commune level and more than 2,800 inspections of Savings and Credit Groups. As a result, credit capital is delivered to the right beneficiaries, minimising risk-related debt.

Le Thanh Hai, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Tho Son Commune, emphasised: “Strict supervision ensures that policy credit delivers real benefits to the community.”

Over 60,000 poor households and students supported

More than a year after the implementation of Directive 39-CT/TW, Dong Nai has enabled over 60,000 poor households and policy beneficiaries to access preferential loans. Nearly 20,000 rural households have constructed or upgraded 40,000 clean water and sanitation works; more than 10,000 disadvantaged students have received financial support for study expenses. In addition, nearly 290 people who have completed prison sentences have obtained loans to reintegrate into society, and almost 400 social housing units have been newly built or repaired.

For the student loan programme alone, outstanding loans have reached over VND 1.6 trillion, supporting more than 25,000 students. In just the first two months of the 2025–2026 academic year, the Dong Nai-based VBSP disbursed an additional VND 280 billion to nearly 7,000 students. Implementation of Decision 29/2025/QD-TTg, which expands lending for STEM fields, has produced clear results, with 35 students and postgraduate learners receiving VND 2.9 billion in support to continue their studies.

Policy credit not only assists poor households and students, but also provides second chances to those who once erred. After two years of implementing Decision 22/2023/QD-TTg dated August 17, 2023, Dong Nai has supported more than 600 people who completed prison sentences, with outstanding loans exceeding VND 50 billion.

Directive 39-CT/TW has also accelerated the implementation of the social housing loan programme.

Ly Duc Quyen's family, residents of Tran Bien Ward, and with Quyen mobility-impaired, received a VND 700 million loan to purchase an apartment at the A6–A7 Apartment Complex in Tran Bien Ward. Quyen shared: “Thanks to the loan and the dedicated support of VBSP staff, my family has finally been able to secure a home—something I once thought impossible.”

A strong foundation for the next stage of development

With close leadership from the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial People's Committee, and the coordination of socio-political organisations, entrusted capital from local budgets has grown by an average of 28% annually, higher than the national average. In 2025, outstanding entrusted loans exceeded VND 11.8 trillion, with 212,000 borrowers. This forms a crucial foundation for Dong Nai to enter the 2026–2030 period with a target of 10% annual growth in policy credit, ensuring that 100% of poor households and policy beneficiaries with lending needs can access capital.

Vo Trong Hoa, Deputy Director of Dong Nai-based VBSP, stated: “Directive 39-CT/TW serves as a catalyst enabling policy beneficiaries to improve their livelihoods and ensure social security. We will continue to strengthen credit quality, enhance entrusted lending effectiveness, and intensify outreach so that people use loans effectively and sustainably escape poverty.”

Directive 39-CT/TW and social policy credit demonstrate the innovative and humanitarian approach of the Party and State, contributing to sustainable poverty reduction, new-style rural development, job creation, and improved living standards for vulnerable communities. In the next phase, Dong Nai will focus on three key tasks: delivering credit capital directly to poor households through multiple channels; accelerating the disbursement of preferential loans for eligible social housing buyers; and maximising support for communes and wards with large ethnic minority populations, ensuring sustainable livelihoods and inclusive development.

Le Truong Son, Member of Dong Nai’s Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee

Through persistence and flexibility in implementing Directive 39-CT/TW, Dong Nai has been granting opportunities for tens of thousands of disadvantaged families to rise. The Directive is not only a sound policy but also a bridge between the Party’s will and the people’s aspirations, creating strong momentum for social welfare and the sustainable development of both Dong Nai and the country.”

By Hung Cat – Translated by My Le, Thu Ha