TITLE: Vietnam's State Bank Issues Financial Leasing Regulations for Finance Companies
BODY:
On June 30, 2026, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued Circular 31/2026/TT-NHNN establishing regulations governing financial leasing activities conducted by comprehensive finance companies and financial leasing companies. The circular comprises five chapters and 36 articles, addressing the scope of application, applicable entities, financial leasing activities, purchase-and-leaseback arrangements, electronic financial leasing, and implementing organisations.
Circular 31/2026/TT-NHNN amends and supplements Circular 26/2024/TT-NHNN with several key modifications. The SBV expanded the definition of assets subject to financial leasing to include transportation vehicles (with maritime vessels limited to domestic sea transport) and property rights including software, exploitation rights, intellectual property, and data. The threshold for small-value financial leasing contracts increased from a maximum of VND100 million to VND400 million. The circular introduces three new provisions governing electronic financial leasing, dedicating one chapter with four articles to outline the approval process for electronic financial leasing contracts. Unlike Circular 26, which capped electronic financial leasing contracts at VND500 million, the new circular removes this limitation. Additionally, the SBV raised the threshold for financial lessees to disclose related-party information regarding their total outstanding credit balance from 0.5 percent of the lessor's own capital to 1 percent of the lessor's own capital.
Circular 31/2026/TT-NHNN takes effect on August 15, 2026. Financial leasing companies and comprehensive finance companies must ensure compliance with the new requirements by this date.