“Boosting” preferential capital for social housing buyers

In 2025, Dong Nai reached a significant milestone by surpassing the government-assigned social housing development target. This achievement has created housing opportunities for thousands of workers and low-income earners.

People learning about information at the Eco Residence Long Binh Tan Project, Long Hung Ward, Dong Nai Province. Photo: Hai Quan

To contribute to the effective implementation of the government's 145 trillion VND Credit Program and, at the same time, to "boost" support for the people, many banks and investors have proactively reached out to customers to advise, guide, and assist them in applying for preferential loans.

Bringing capital closer to the people

Last weekend, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, Dong Nai provincial branch, in coordination with Chuong Duong Homeland Joint Stock Company, held a seminar to provide consultation and guidance on loan application procedures for homebuyers at the Eco Residence Long Binh Tan Project, Long Hung Ward, Dong Nai Province. At the event, bank representatives directly addressed homebuyers' questions on loan conditions, amounts, interest rates, terms, and procedures for accessing preferential credit.

Hoang Tran Thanh Nhan, Deputy Head of the Planning - Credit Operations Department of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, Dong Nai branch, said that the bank currently has a sizable capital source available for loans to purchase, lease-purchase social housing, as well as to build new houses or renovate and repair existing ones, with a range of outstanding incentives. The lending interest rate is just 5.4% per year, the maximum loan-to-value ratio is 80% of the purchase price of the house, and the loan term can be as long as 25 years.

Nhan also noted that to help people access preferential capital more easily, the bank has proactively coordinated with local authorities and social housing investors to organize various conferences and direct consultation sessions. Through these efforts, the bank has promptly guided and supported applicants in completing their documentation, enabling them to fully benefit from the policies without unnecessary delays due to insufficient information.

"Currently, loan procedures have become much more streamlined. Borrowers no longer need to reconfirm their eligibility or housing status. Once the competent authority confirms that they meet the conditions to buy or lease social housing, the bank will assess the application based on the submitted dossier," Nhan said.

Not only banks but also investors of social housing projects acknowledge that supporting homebuyers in accessing loans is a key factor in ensuring timely project implementation and smooth product absorption.

To Thi Thuy, General Director of Chuong Duong Homeland Joint Stock Company, the investor of the Eco Residence Long Binh Tan Project, said that during the sales launch at the end of 2025, around 500 customers submitted applications, and many have already signed purchase contracts. Most of the project’s customers are workers, cadres, civil servants, and young public employees with stable incomes but limited savings. Therefore, the company works with banks to help them access preferential housing credit packages.

"We coordinate with banks to inform buyers clearly about loan policies, rights, and obligations, thereby reassuring them to sign contracts and fulfill financial obligations according to the progress," Thuy shared.

Similarly, Nguyen Minh Hai, Director of An Hung Phat Infrastructure Development Joint Stock Company, said that by the end of 2025, the company had completed 275 social housing apartments and handed them over to customers. The company proactively collaborates with banks to provide comprehensive information on preferential credit packages, interest rates, loan terms, and conditions. Many project customers have signed loan agreements and are making payments in accordance with the construction schedule. Thanks to this capital source, homebuyers can ease financial pressure, while the business can implement the project more smoothly.

According to the Dong Nai branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, as of the end of 2025, the total capital allocated for loans to purchase, lease-purchase social housing, or to build, renovate, or repair homes in the province exceeds 604 billion VND. Of this, nearly 311 billion VND comes from central capital, with the remainder sourced from local capital.

People-pleasing policy

In 2024, the government launched the preferential credit program for investors and buyers of social housing, as well as for the renovation and repair of old apartment buildings. Initially, four commercial banks participated with a total capital of 120 trillion VND. By the end of 2025, the number of participating banks had increased to nine, with total capital rising to 145 trillion VND. The government assigned the State Bank of Vietnam the responsibility of urging banks to accelerate the disbursement of this credit package to support social housing development.

In practice, banks have recently taken the initiative to coordinate with local authorities and project investors to disburse loans in a timely manner, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of preferential credit programs. This engagement has helped the province meet its social housing development targets, enabled investors to speed up project implementation, and supported low-income individuals in securing stable housing.

In Dong Nai, in addition to capital provided by commercial banks, the province also allocates local budget funds to support people in borrowing to purchase social housing through the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies. This undertaking serves as a foundation contributing to improving living conditions and promoting sustainable socio-economic development.

A representative of the Dong Nai branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies exchanges and answers questions from the public about preferential loan capital for buying social housing. Photo: Hoang Loc

Le Van Binh, who is borrowing to purchase social housing at the A6 - A7 Project in Tran Bien Ward, said that, with a state official's salary, it would be tough to afford a home without access to preferential credit. Thanks to the Preferential Credit Program from the Dong Nai provincial branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies, his family has been able to secure their dream apartment. Every month, he and his wife set aside savings to pay the loan installments, which remain within their means.

At the Eco Residence Long Binh Tan Project, Bui Van Hau, an office employee, is completing procedures to borrow funds for his family's first apartment. According to Hau, what led him to decide on purchasing social housing was the preferential loan policy with its long-term repayment period. "Low interest rates and a long loan term help me proactively manage my expenses. Especially with the bank offering advice and guidance on procedures directly at the project site, I feel quite reassured," Hau said.

Provincial Party Committee member and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ho Van Ha stated that in 2025, the province completed construction of more than 4,600 social housing units, reaching 112 percent of the government's assigned target. This achievement reflects the province’s close attention and strong determination, while also highlighting the accompanying role and responsibility of businesses and credit institutions in realizing the policy of ensuring social welfare for workers and low-income individuals. Building on this momentum, in early 2026, the province will simultaneously break ground on three projects with more than 6,000 apartments, contributing to providing stable housing, gradually improving living conditions, and ensuring sustainable social welfare.

By Hoang Loc – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho