Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 16:45 GMT+7

Singaporean bank plans to build headquarters at Ho Chi Minh City international financial center

Singapore’s United Overseas Bank (UOB) has unveiled its plan to construct its headquarters at Ho Chi Minh City’s planned International Finance Center, becoming the first foreign bank to commit to the project.

Wee Ee Cheong, deputy chairman and chief executive officer of UOB Group, said Vietnam is one of the bank’s key markets in the region, with strong and sustainable growth prospects.

He said UOB’s long-term commitment is demonstrated through consistent investment and steady expansion, including its plan to construct a UOB headquarters building within the Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center.

The planned facility is expected to bring together a dynamic and growing workforce of more than 1,500 employees.

This solid local foundation, combined with UOB’s ability to integrate on-the-ground execution with strong regional connectivity, differentiates the bank from its peers, he said.

He added that as Vietnam develops international financial centers to reinforce its investment and financial ecosystem, UOB sees significant opportunities to help mobilize capital flows, enhance cross-border trade, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

“UOB is committed to accompanying Vietnam in its next phase of growth,” Wee said, reaffirming the bank’s long-term strategic outlook in the country.

Last weekend, Vietnam’s Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh visited UOB Group during his official working trip to Singapore from January 10 to 14.

The visit focused on discussions with Singaporean business leaders and senior officials about Vietnam’s International Financial Center development strategy, which was officially announced last month, featuring one in Ho Chi Minh City and another in Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam.

During talks at UOB, Deputy PM Binh and senior executives of the bank exchanged views on the development roadmap for the International Financial Centers in both cities.

The deputy prime minister also listened to insights on Singapore’s journey to becoming a leading global financial hub.

The discussions centered on Vietnam’s strategic vision for international financial centers, policy priorities, and opportunities for international financial institutions to participate in building Vietnam’s financial ecosystem.

With its deep presence in Vietnam and long-standing role in trade financing and cross-border capital flows, UOB is positioned as a key partner in Vietnam’s financial development.