Vietnam Growth Worst Since 1980s Seen on Credit Crunch: Economy

Do Thi Hien points to about two dozen sewing machines lined up on one side of her apparel workshop near Hanoi’s Red River. They have been gathering dust as she tried to get a loan to increase output for exports.

“I’ve knocked on the doors of four banks already this year and I still can’t get a loan,” Hien, 42, said. “They’re only prepared to lend at high interest rates.”