Young leadership mindset drives SHB bank's next growth phase: exec

Young leadership would play a pivotal role as Vietnamese businesses navigate digital transformation and rising global competition, said Do Quang Vinh, vice chairman cum deputy CEO of Saigon-Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank (SHB).

Vinh made the remarks at the Vietnam Future Economy Summit 2025 recently hosted by Bloomberg Businessweek Vietnam.

"2025 marks a milestone for Vietnam after the Politburo's Resolution 68 affirmed the private sector as a main driver of economic development," he told a panel titled “New Leadership Mindset: From Legacy to Breakthrough".

"Combined with resolutions on science-technology, institutional reform, and international integration, this is the quartet of strategic policies that create leverage for Vietnam to enter a new phase of stronger development, with a vision to 2045," Vinh said.

Vinh said Vietnamese companies are facing both new opportunities - from digitalization, green finance, and shifting consumer behavior - and heightened risks stemming from global volatility and technological disruption.

“The resilience, adaptability, and confidence of leadership teams will determine whether we seize or miss these opportunities,” he said.

Vinh added that SHB’s long-standing corporate culture and emphasis on people remained one of the bank’s key assets, built around its core values known as “Tu tam” or "From the heart" (Heart - Trust - Faith - Knowledge - Intelligence - Vision) - which have shaped the bank’s identity for more than three decades.

According to the executive, SHB is positioning human capital and corporate culture as the foundation of its strong transformation; technology and digitalization as its growth engine to become a leader; and sustainability and green banking as long-term priorities.

He highlighted SHB’s corporate governance structure, which blends two generations of leadership. Senior leaders bring strategic vision, market experience, and resilience, while younger executives, including Vinh, contribute mindsets of reform, technological awareness, and global outlook.

He said differences in perspectives have served as “positive catalysts” for development, supported by two-way dialogue and shared strategic goals.

“I am fortunate to have my father, SHB chairman Do Quang Hien, who has passed on his resilience, drive, and invaluable experience, helping me make smarter decisions,” Vinh noted.

Asked how Vietnamese businesses should prepare to expand regionally, Vinh said companies must meet international standards at home before seeking global growth.

SHB, he said, is among the banks proactively adopting IFRS, Basel standards and ESG practices, while investing in technology, data and human resources - three factors he considers decisive for long-term competitiveness.

“Leaders must be confident, agile, adaptive and constantly innovative to help their companies go further,” he said, adding that SHB is entering a new phase of growth driven by strong heritage, spirit of strong reform, and harmonious leadership across generations.

“With the private sector now recognized as a core engine of national growth, SHB aims to remain at the forefront and contribute to Vietnam’s goal of becoming a high-income, prosperous nation by 2045,” Vinh added.