Building a digital mindset, digital culture, and a spirit of innovation and creativity across the entire banking sector

Attending the opening ceremony of the competition were Comrade Huynh Thanh Xuan, Vice President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and representatives of the leadership of various sectoral and industry trade unions. Representing the banking sector were Comrade Pham Tien Dung, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), Chairman of the Vietnam Banking Trade Union, and Head of the Competition Organizing Committee; Comrade Le Thi Mai Huong, Deputy Secretary in charge of the SBV Party Committee; leaders of departments, bureaus, and units under the SBV; and leaders of credit institutions.

Comrade Pham Tien Dung, Deputy Governor of the SBV, Chairman of the Vietnam Banking Trade Union, and Head of the Competition Organizing Committee, delivered the opening remarks

The 2026 Competition marked a significant scale with the participation of 32 teams from 32 units within the banking sector and leading fintech companies, representing the intelligence, innovative spirit, and digital transformation aspirations of the entire banking industry.

Under the close guidance of the Party Committee and the SBV Leadership Board, along with the active participation of 32 entities—including 23 commercial banks and credit institutions; 9 SBV-affiliated units, foreign banks, and fintech companies—the competition demonstrates the banking sector’s strong commitment to promoting digital transformation, innovation, and making positive contributions to the national digital transformation process.

Overview of the Competition

In his opening remarks at the competition, Deputy Governor of the SBV Pham Tien Dung, Chairman of the Vietnam Banking Union, stated that digital transformation has become an inevitable trend and a key driver for economic growth, enhancing labor productivity and national competitiveness. For the banking sector—one of the pioneers in the application of science, technology, and innovation—digital transformation is not only an objective requirement but also a strategic mission aimed at building a modern, safe, transparent, and efficient financial ecosystem.

Opening Segment of the Competition

In recent years, under the leadership of the Party, the Government, and the State Bank of Vietnam, the entire banking sector has actively implemented comprehensive measures to promote comprehensive digital transformation. Specifically, these include improving the legal framework, developing digital infrastructure, expanding cashless payments, and applying artificial intelligence, big data, electronic identification, and other modern technologies in banking operations. Credit institutions, fintech companies, and units within the sector have proactively innovated their governance models, enhanced the customer experience, and fostered a digital culture throughout the system.

In this context, according to the Deputy Governor, the Banking Sector Trade Union has consistently defined its role not only as representing, caring for, and protecting the legitimate and just rights and interests of its members and workers, but also as a steadfast partner working closely with professionals in fulfilling the sector’s political tasks. Consequently, trade unions at all levels have actively promoted and mobilized members and workers to raise awareness about digital transformation; launched numerous competitive campaigns, innovation initiatives, and the application of technology in their work; and encouraged a spirit of learning, innovation, and adaptation to new development requirements.

“It is precisely this close collaboration between trade union organizations and professional departments that has contributed to creating a combined strength, driving the digital transformation process across the entire sector to proceed more vigorously and effectively,” the Deputy Governor emphasized.

Supporters of the competing teams

In that spirit, the 2026 “Digital Transformation in the Banking Sector” Competition was organized as a learning forum aimed at boosting morale, standardizing knowledge, and developing digital capabilities for the staff and union members. The competition aims to equip the entire sector with digital transformation knowledge and widely disseminate digital skills, helping each individual not only master technology and business processes but also apply them flexibly in practice, thereby optimizing the operational efficiency of each unit. At the same time, this serves as a professional platform for competing teams to demonstrate their understanding, skills, and innovative spirit; to network, learn from one another, share experiences, and promote effective models and practical solutions to support the digital transformation process across the banking sector.

According to the Deputy Governor, the competition was entrusted by the Vietnam Banking Union to the Vietcombank Labor Union—an organization with expertise in professional work and the execution of large-scale programs—to organize and implement, with the hope of creating a professional, innovative, and highly impactful competition.

This year’s competition brings together 32 teams with over 600 participants from trade union levels, credit institutions, and financial technology units across the industry, who will compete through three rounds: “Uniting Strengths,” “Conquering the Digital Era,” and “Shaping the Digital Future.” In particular, the “Shaping the Digital Future” round is expected to generate many innovative ideas and solutions tied to practical banking operations, helping to enhance management efficiency, optimize business processes, and promote the development of digital banking in the coming period.

The Deputy Governor noted that it is noteworthy that immediately after its launch, the competition received a strong response from direct-level trade unions, grassroots trade unions, and units across the entire sector. Many units have proactively organized internal competitions, established online platforms, and launched campaigns to promote learning and understanding of digital transformation, creating a vibrant competitive spirit and spreading the mindset of proactive learning, innovation, and adaptation to the digital era throughout the system.

“Through this competition, the banking sector aims to further promote the ‘Digital Literacy for All’ movement, gradually fostering a digital mindset, digital culture, and a spirit of innovation among every staff member, union member, and employee. This reaffirms our commitment to playing a pioneering role in national digital transformation, aiming for modern and sustainable development,” the Deputy Governor expressed.

Immediately following the opening ceremony, the competing teams officially began the first round, titled “Uniting Strengths,” which involved introducing the unique identity and digital transformation messages of each participating unit. In the afternoon, the teams will proceed to Round 2—“Conquering the Digital Era”—a round designed to test their knowledge of the banking sector’s digital transformation through multiple-choice questions answered directly on tablets. Round 3—“Shaping the Digital Future”—involves presenting ideas and proposals regarding digital transformation in the banking sector.

The 2026 competition builds upon and expands the values of the 2024 competition, which was held under the theme “Green Banking for a Green Life.” The innovative ideas proposed and awarded prizes in the 2024 competition have been implemented by various organizations, playing a significant role in advancing the green transition, minimizing environmental impact, and shaping the social responsibility of the Vietnamese banking sector. The shift from “Greening” to “Digitization” is the dual strategy for the banking sector to achieve sustainable development in the new era.