In total, five banks reported reductions in their physical networks during this period: VietinBank (-72), VCBNeo (-26), SCB (-19), Sacombank (-11), and GPBank (-5).

In contrast, six banks expanded their presence, led by MB (+18), followed by VIB (+14), HDBank (+7), VietABank (+2), and ACB and Techcombank (each +1).

The Big4 banks (Agribank, BIDV, VietinBank, and Vietcombank) continue to dominate in terms of total outlets, maintaining over 5,000 branches and transaction offices, or 48% of the national total.

Vietcombank had 640 locations as of September 30, with 130 branches (down by 1 from the previous year). Most of its offices are in Ho Chi Minh City (154) and Hanoi (94), making it the Big4 member with the fewest outlets.

VietinBank had 1,038 locations (157 branches and 881 transaction offices), with no change in branch count but a significant drop in transaction offices.

BIDV maintained its total of 1,117 outlets, although it closed 2 branches and added 2 transaction offices during the period.

Agribank retained the largest national network, with 2,222 outlets as of June 30, including 938 branches and 1,284 transaction offices, reflecting its focus on rural and agricultural lending.

Private sector: LPBank dominates retail reach

Among private banks, LPBank has the most extensive physical network, operating 566 branches and transaction offices nationwide.

Interestingly, despite cutting nearly 1,800 employees in the first nine months of 2025, LPBank did not reduce its number of locations.

It also operates 512 postal transaction offices across Vietnam, supporting its strategic goal of becoming the top retail bank in rural and tier-2 urban markets by 2028.

Sacombank, despite a drop of 11 outlets, ranks second with 535 locations, followed by ACB (389), HDBank (375), MB (328), Techcombank (300), VPBank (287), MSB (260), Eximbank (215), Vikki Bank (212), and VIB (202).

Other banks have under 200 locations, with some - like VietABank, PGBank, Saigonbank, GPBank, NCB, VCBNeo, Bac A Bank, SCB, and BaoViet Bank - maintaining fewer than 100.

Notable changes and declines

·        SCB, previously a major private player, now has just 49 outlets, down 76% from its peak of 207, largely due to the high-profile Van Thinh Phat scandal.

·        VCBNeo reduced its footprint by 26 outlets, leaving it with 66 locations.

·        GPBank dropped from 85 to 80 transaction offices.

·        MBV and Vikki Bank, both part of the group of four banks under mandatory transfer, reported no changes in network size.

Tuan Nguyen