In the fall of 1945, our people, under the skillful leadership of the Communist Party, carried out the victorious August Revolution, and then on September 2, 1945, at the historic Ba Dinh Square, President Ho Chi Minh read the “Declaration of Independence”, solemnly announcing the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam). However, the newly established government was faced with a “thousand pounds hanging by a thread” situation due to internal and external enemies, rampant famine, and depleted treasury. As the head of the provisional revolutionary government, President Ho Chi Minh considered poverty to be as dangerous an enemy as ignorance and foreign invaders. According to him, ” If the country has gained independence and freedom but the people are still poor and miserable, independence and freedom are useless .”
BIDV Headquarters
The two solutions to eradicate famine were sharing food and clothing and increasing production. The government also issued many policies to stabilize the financial system, issuing Ho Chi Minh banknotes to replace the Indochinese banknotes. Through many efforts, famine was overcome, the new government gained the trust of the masses, contributed to stabilizing the situation and developing the economy, effectively serving the heroic nine-year resistance war, driving out the invading French colonialists.
Bank for the goal: “Everyone has food to eat, clothes to wear, everyone can go to school”
After 1954, the country’s situation posed a huge task for economic work: healing the wounds of war and restoring the national economy. In that context, on April 26, 1957, the Prime Minister issued Decree No. 177/TTg on transferring the Department of Capital Allocation for Basic Construction to the Vietnam Construction Bank, under the Ministry of Finance. This was the “Birth Certificate” of the Vietnam Construction Bank, the predecessor of the Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development (BIDV). The basic task when it was first established was to act as a specialized agency in charge of allocating and managing all capital allocated by the state budget for basic construction investment, implemented according to the State’s plan and budget.
Many projects of special significance to the production and daily life of the people in the North were built from the capital allocated by the Construction Bank. In industry, the bank helped restore and expand a series of power plants, textile factories, cement factories, coal mines, and shipyards in almost all provinces and cities in the North. In agriculture, the top priority of investment capital is to restore and build many irrigation works, typically the Bac Hung Hai irrigation project that provides irrigation water for thousands of hectares of rice in the Northern Delta. In transportation, investment capital helps to repair the road system, most of which have been severely damaged. In the cultural and social fields, the Construction Bank provided capital to build many new schools, hospitals, printing houses, radio stations, museums, etc., notably the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, the National Economics University, the University of Education, Bach Mai Hospital, Viet Duc Hospital, etc.
Photo 1: President Ho Chi Minh visited the Bac – Hung – Hai irrigation construction site on December 25, 1958 (Source: Ho Chi Minh Complete Works, volume 11 – National Political Publishing House – Truth)
Along with the task of economic recovery and development was the task of fighting for national reunification . The Vietnam Construction Bank, together with the whole country, implemented two revolutionary strategies (1965-1975), which were to build socialism in the North and to increase support for the South. From BIDV, groups of bank “soldiers” volunteered to the front line to directly manage and allocate capital to build the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail. By organizing special branches with code numbers 70.1, 70.2, B12, the bank promptly allocated capital for vital traffic routes, radio and wire stations, communication lines, and oil and gas transmission systems to the battlefield…. Hundreds of bank officials were present on the front line, heading towards the beloved South, including 17 comrades who heroically sacrificed for the country’s independence.
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh once said, ” I have only one desire, the utmost desire, which is to make our country completely independent, our people completely free, everyone has food to eat, clothes to wear, and education .” The old Father’s deep concern seems to urge the strength of the entire nation to ” shake off the mud and shine brightly “, becoming specific economic and political tasks that BIDV Bank is honored to undertake. BIDV understands that every penny of the State’s capital has originated from each jar of rice donated by the people, each national and people’s livelihood project is always the hope of millions of people. With the mission of holding capital to build the country, BIDV considers it a sacred responsibility, a great pride, wondering how to use that capital to realize the goal of ” everyone has food to eat, clothes to wear, and education “. Born from the demands of history, it is clear that the contributions of the Vietnam Construction Bank in the first 30 years of nation building have proven that history does not randomly choose people to “serve as a fulcrum”.
“If I could be a seed for next season
If history chooses us as the fulcrum
What is more fun than being a pioneer soldier?
In the dark, my heart is a fire!”
(Excerpt from the poem “Hello Spring 67”, To Huu)
Building a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam
On September 2, 1969, our Uncle Ho passed away to the “World of the Good”. From now on, our entire Party, people and army are determined to carry out President Ho Chi Minh’s Testament and carry out Uncle Ho’s last wish. That is ” to unite and strive to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam… “. In this next task, especially after the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, BIDV has continued to affirm its position as the country’s leading financial institution.
Photo 2: Vietnam Construction Bank provides legal capital for the construction of President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.
From the capital allocated by the Construction Bank, a series of important national and people’s projects were built in both regions such as: President Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Vietnam Television Station, Chuong Duong Bridge, Da Nhim Hydropower Plant, Ha Tien Cement, Dau Tieng Irrigation Lake, etc. By the early 1980s, the Construction Bank had organized a network with 38 branches/39 provinces and cities nationwide, 2 key project branches, dozens of level 2 branches (branches), forming a widespread network, serving the capital needs for economic development of the country.
On June 24, 1981, the Government Council issued Decision No. 259-CP on transferring the Construction Bank under the Ministry of Finance to the State Bank of Vietnam, changing the new name to “Vietnam Investment and Construction Bank”, preparing the necessary conditions to enter the renovation of the banking sector, actively contributing to the renovation cause in the spirit of the resolution of the 6th Party Congress.
Implementing the two Banking Ordinances, in the early years of the 1990s, BIDV gradually joined with enterprises to escape the subsidy mechanism, abolish the “credit monoculture” in banking activities, focus on capital mobilization, strongly develop various types of services, gradually increase the proportion of revenue from services and currency trading, and start to strongly develop retail banking activities. BIDV implemented many creative and unique policies to build a strong financial and banking foundation together with the State Bank. The bank expanded its multi-functional and multi-sector business, made investments, and expanded foreign relations with thousands of financial institutions around the world. BIDV was also a pioneer bank in expanding its operations in the international market, effectively performing its role as an economic bridge and capital conductor between Vietnam and the world.
Entering the 21st century, the integration trend and the multidimensional world context have strongly impacted and increased challenges for banks and the economy. However, like previous periods, BIDV’s mission remains essentially unchanged. That is to provide capital for the economy to implement national strategic projects. The new development context poses many difficult problems for BIDV. This is the driving force that pushes BIDV to accelerate the process of “reforming” itself – transforming into a Joint Stock Commercial Bank .
Photo 3: BIDV and Hana Bank signed a strategic cooperation agreement, marking the largest M&A transaction in the history of Vietnam’s banking industry at that time.
Since 2012, BIDV has continuously made strong progress. In November 2019, BIDV successfully issued more than 603.3 million shares to Hana Bank with a total transaction value of nearly VND 20,300 billion – the largest M&A transaction in the history of the Vietnamese banking industry at that time, bringing BIDV to new heights. On the occasion of its 65th anniversary, BIDV launched a new brand logo expressing its desire to shine and reach high.
Looking back at BIDV’s proud journey of development with the country, we can see its steadfast stance in the face of difficulties and its relentless pioneering spirit. That tradition has become the slogan of the first bank with the longest history in Vietnam: BIDV – Steadfast pioneer – Accompanying development.
Ready to enter the era of growth, “standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers”
Continuing the mission of serving the nation, more than ever, generations of BIDV staff understand that there are still many difficulties ahead, but the strong belief in the bright future of Vietnam is always the driving force to proactively strive forward every day.
BIDV defines the bank’s mission as bringing the best benefits and utilities to customers, shareholders, employees and the community. BIDV pursues the vision of becoming the leading financial institution in Southeast Asia, with the best digital platform in Vietnam, striving to be among the 100 largest banks in Asia. BIDV’s three development pillars are Customers – Human resources and corporate culture – Technology and digital banking.
On the basis of grasping the development trends of the country and the banking industry, promoting the achievements of the 68-year journey of construction, BIDV is determined to accelerate transformation. Accordingly, the general goal for the period 2025-2030 is: ” Improving leadership capacity, building a clean and strong BIDV Party Committee; ensuring the comprehensive leadership role of the Party Committee and grassroots party organizations; building BIDV into a leading Large – Strong – Green bank in Southeast Asia; in the Top 100 Asian banks; Vision by 2045 in the Top 50 Asian banks; pioneering in implementing social responsibility, serving the community; actively contributing with the whole country to enter a new era of development – an era of rich, prosperous, civilized and prosperous development of the nation “.
As of June 30, 2025, BIDV’s total consolidated assets reached over VND2,990 trillion, continuing to maintain its position as the joint stock commercial bank with the largest total assets in Vietnam; capital mobilization from organizations and individuals reached over VND2,310 trillion, up 7.1% compared to the beginning of the year; outstanding credit increased by 6.1% compared to the beginning of the year, reaching VND2,190 trillion. Consolidated revenue and expenditure difference reached VND26,714 billion; consolidated pre-tax profit reached VND16,038 billion, up 3.1% over the same period last year.
Photo 4: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents the “National Brand” logo in 2024 to BIDV representative
Photo 5: BIDV total asset growth chart
Facing the new opportunity, BIDV is confident in successfully completing its goals and tasks, creating a solid foundation for sustainable and prosperous development; affirming its position as a key unit in the economy, an effective tool of the Party and State in implementing the national monetary policy, serving better and better the cause of national construction in the era of rising up. The time has come, ” standing shoulder to shoulder with the world powers ” is no longer just the dream of the nation’s founders, but is about to become as obvious as the hot breath, as the red blood flowing in every Vietnamese child.
Since the birth of Vietnam, the motto “Independence – Freedom – Happiness” has always been the goal, aspiration, and the greatest and best destination of our country in the past 80 years. 80 years, if placed in the length of the history of 4,000 years of building and defending the country, is short, but that period of time has a strong constructive meaning, giving the S-shaped strip of land a great foundation, potential, position and international prestige. Born from the requirements of history, having overcome many challenges of history and being fully prepared to turn a new page with history, with the position and resources accumulated after nearly 7 decades, BIDV is ready to accompany millions of people and businesses to realize development goals, serving the nation and people firmly on the journey of “Independence – Freedom – Happiness”.
Compiled from sources:
1. History of Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development 1957-2017.
2. 40 years of growth: Joy – Happiness, Nguyen Van Doan, Investment and Development Newsletter No. 27, May 1997
3. Political report at the Congress of Party Delegates of Vietnam Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development for the term 2025-2030
