Peer-to-peer lending has emerged as one of the most prominent and yet high-risk innovations within the fintech sector in recent years. The rapid expansion of peer-to-peer lending services has significantly impacted developing countries, including Vietnam, where nearly 60% of the population is of working age, and consumer demand has surged over the past five years. However, the recent downturns in peer-to-peer markets have intensified debates and raised further concerns. This study focuses on examining the accessibility of peer-to-peer lending in transitional economies, with Vietnam as a case study. A quantitative research approach was used, utilizing primary data collected through questionnaire surveys. The findings indicate that demographic and financial factors either have minimal influence or no significant effect on user accessibility to peer-to-peer lending. Conversely, social capital emerges as the most critical factor in determining individual access to peer-to-peer lending within an emerging market setting. Based on these insights, several recommendations are made to improve individual accessibility to peer-to-peer lending.
