Vietnam banks tighten monitoring of suspicious transactions in 2026

Under Circular 17/2024 issued by the State Bank of Vietnam and amended by Circular 25/2025, credit institutions must intensify surveillance of abnormal cash‑less payments. Banks are required to flag accounts that exhibit any of six risk scenarios, including rapid fund cycling, sudden spikes in transaction frequency, mismatched client profiles, inconsistent identification data, account‑selling activities, and shared device usage. When such indicators are detected, banks trigger verification procedures, contacting customers to confirm the purpose of the transactions and reviewing the full transaction history.

If the investigation confirms illicit activity or an urgent risk, banks may temporarily restrict the account—blocking transfers or withdrawals—until authorities complete their audit. The enhanced controls aim to curb money‑laundering, financial fraud, and high‑tech scams while protecting customers' assets. The measures affect all Vietnamese bank customers and reflect a broader move toward international AML standards.