Starting a new chapter in Hanoi

       

       
      Unveiling of a Hanoi street painting by renowned Vietnamese artist Bui Xuan Phai to commemorate the official opening of our UOB Hanoi Branch. The painting will be displayed at the branch for viewing by customers and colleagues. (From left to right): Mr Jason Yeo, Branch Director, UOB Hanoi Branch, UOB; Mr Vu Van Chung, Deputy Director, Foreign Investment Agency; Mr Nguyen Minh Tuan, Director, State Bank of Vietnam Hanoi; Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of UOB; Her Excellency Ms Catherine Wong, Singapore's Ambassador to Vietnam; Mr Victor Ngo, Head of Group Compliance, UOB, and Chairman of UOB Vietnam (UOBV); and Mr Harry Loh, CEO, UOBV.

       

      UOB Vietnam (UOBV) officially launched its UOB Hanoi Branch on 22 August 2019, making it our Bank’s first branch in Vietnam beyond Ho Chi Minh City. This expansion into northern Vietnam cements our long-term commitment to providing financial services and solutions to more customers across the country.

      The official opening took place two months after our soft launch of the UOB Hanoi Branch and a year after the incorporation of UOBV as a foreign-owned subsidiary bank. Located at 1 Thanh Nien Road, Truc Bach Ward, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi City, the UOB Hanoi Branch was opened by Her Excellency Ms Catherine Wong, Singapore's Ambassador to Vietnam, and Mr Wee Ee Cheong, Deputy Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of UOB. The ceremony was also attended by Vietnamese government officials from the State Bank of Vietnam and the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

       

      Mr Wee Ee Cheong in his opening speechMr Wee Ee Cheong in his opening speech

      Mr Wee said, “The opening of our Hanoi Branch marks another milestone in UOB’s long-term commitment to Vietnam. We were the first Singapore bank to set up a representative office in Ho Chi Minh City in 1993 and since then, have continued to deepen our presence.

      "Our new branch reflects our continued confidence in the country as we seek to serve more customers in both the northern and southern parts of Vietnam. It will enable us to connect customers to the opportunities that Vietnam offers and to support Vietnamese companies in seizing opportunities across ASEAN and further afield.”

      Mr Harry Loh, Chief Executive Officer of UOBV, said, “Hanoi is an important gateway for businesses to tap opportunities in Vietnam’s fast-growing cities in the north. Our Hanoi Branch complements our headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City in providing financial solutions that are essential to the different life and business stages of consumers and companies here in Vietnam. Our presence in Vietnam, backed by the seamless connectivity offered through UOB Group’s regional network, ensures that we are well-positioned to help our customers realise their financial and business goals."

      Her Excellency Ms Wong said, “As the first Singapore bank with a subsidiary in Vietnam, UOB is a strong example of a successful Singapore company helping to broaden the scope of our economic ties with Vietnam. The Bank has supported many companies in their expansion into Vietnam, providing connectivity and facilitating investment flows into the country. UOB’s expansion in Vietnam also represents our evolving bilateral ties, as Singapore partners with Vietnam in its next phase of growth.”

       

       
      Mr Harry Loh, Chief Executive Officer of UOB Vietnam, presents a cheque to Mr Le Hoang Anh, Deputy Editor in Chief of New Hanoi Newspaper, for the local Golden Hearts charity programme.

       
      To commemorate the official opening of UOB Hanoi Branch, UOBV presented a cheque of VND200 million to a charity programme named “Golden Hearts”, which is operated by New Hanoi Newspaper. The funds will help provide school supplies to 100 children from underprivileged families in Hanoi for the new academic year.

      UOBV also unveiled a painting by Vietnamese artist Bui Xuan Phai during the official opening ceremony in celebration of the occasion. Titled Pho Phai (Phai’s streets), the painting depicts Hanoi’s Old Quarter and it will be displayed at the UOB Hanoi Branch for the enjoyment of customers and colleagues.