HDBank’s Deputy CEO Trần Hoài Nam: Aiming to Become an “ASEAN Asset”

The above aspiration was shared by Mr. Tran Hoai Nam, Deputy CEO of HDBank, at the VIOD Press Meeting on November 27, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, where HDBank recognizes corporate governance as the core focus to reach regional stature.

Aspiration to Reach Regional Stature and the Goal of Becoming an “ASEAN Asset”

Mr. Tran Hoai Nam stated that 2025 is a special milestone when HDBank was honored to be among the Top 5 Vietnamese enterprises awarded the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) in Kuala Lumpur. Before receiving this prestigious award, HDBank had consistently achieved high scores in the Listed Company Awards (VLCA) organized by the State Securities Commission and Stock Exchanges.

Mr. Nam emphasized that these recognitions reflect the governance foundation HDBank has built over many years, not just in compliance but also in proactively exceeding compliance responsibilities by adopting the best international practices in modern banking. According to him, transparency, fairness, and sustainability in governance have built enduring trust from prestigious international financial institutions such as IFC, ADB, Proparco, and DEG, which have partnered with HDBank for many years.

Regarding the upcoming evaluation, Mr. Nam mentioned that HDBank is striving for an even higher score and aiming for a larger goal: becoming an “ASEAN Asset.” He shared, “As far as I know, in 2024, 250 companies in ASEAN were recognized as ‘ASEAN Assets,’ but none were from Vietnam. Meanwhile, companies from Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia accounted for more than three-quarters of the selected companies.”

It is known that “ASEAN Asset” is a title awarded to listed companies that meet the highest standards in corporate governance, transparency, and operational efficiency according to ASEAN criteria, representing the region’s top-quality assets.

The Deputy CEO of HDBank believes that HDBank has the foundation to achieve this title. “Over the past decade of innovation, HDBank has maintained a growth rate among the industry leaders. ROE has consistently remained above 20% for six consecutive years and currently stands at 25.7%. We have a history of high and consistent dividend payments, with transparent and timely shareholder relations,” he said.

The Power of Trust and Reputation in Banking

Referring to the Annual Corporate Governance Forum – AF8, HDBank’s representative stated that the event holds special significance in the context of Vietnam’s capital market deepening its international integration.

“I applaud the organization of AF8. It is an opportunity to update new regulations, best practices, and share effective governance methods according to international standards,” said Mr. Tran Hoai Nam.

This year’s theme – “Board of Directors Breakthrough: Reaching Regional Stature, Positioning Trust and Reputation in the Capital Market” – is highly relevant as the demand for transparency, shareholder protection, and governance oversight increases, especially as Vietnam’s stock market aims to upgrade to emerging market status.

For the banking sector, “Trust and Reputation are core assets for rapid and sustainable development.” These two factors are closely tied to governance quality, compliance awareness, and responsibility toward stakeholders – from shareholders and investors to the community.

HDBank affirms its commitment to maintaining compliance, transparency, and sustainable development in all activities; this is the “lever” for the bank to rise to the position of a leading regional financial conglomerate in the future.

Governance Pillars Shaping HDBank’s Stature

Explaining further the factors behind HDBank’s governance strength, Mr. Tran Hoai Nam stated that the bank’s internal strength begins with its leadership team. According to him, “HDBank’s leadership team is a harmonious blend of extensive experience and innovative thinking. The diversity in expertise and understanding of both domestic and international markets helps us make decisions aligned with market dynamics.”

He also emphasized the role of shareholders and investors in the bank’s development strategy. HDB shares have consistently attracted foreign investors. Since its IPO, HDB shares have always drawn foreign investors with high growth potential and consistent dividends. HDBank’s foreign ownership limit is often fully utilized by long-term shareholders.

2025 also marks HDBank’s strong footprint in attracting green and sustainable capital from international sources. Mr. Nam shared, “The $215 million funding from FinDev Canada, JICA, and SMBC is one of their first collaborations with Vietnam’s private sector. Additionally, we successfully issued $50 million in green bonds to IFC and secured a $30 million investment from the Dutch Development Bank FMO. These transactions could only be executed when the bank fully meets stringent standards in governance, transparency, and compliance with international sustainable finance frameworks.”

Notably, HDBank has taken a strategic step by establishing an ESG Committee under the Board of Directors. “Formalizing the role of ESG in the senior governance structure demonstrates HDBank’s long-term commitment to sustainable development, not just following trends,” the Deputy CEO of HDBank affirmed.

In investor relations, he mentioned that the bank has been ahead of the market by organizing fully online Annual General Meetings since 2021 and implementing online voting. Shareholder materials are always updated in both Vietnamese and English. The bank considers transparency and equal access to information as critical principles in governance.

As a result, HDBank has consistently ranked among the Top 10 companies with the best corporate governance in the large-cap group at VLCA, been selected for the VNSI Sustainable Development Index for six consecutive years, and regularly publishes Sustainability Reports to quantify environmental, social, and governance impacts.