Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam has shown encouraging trends, with reports indicating that estimated disbursements in the first two months of 2026 reached a remarkable US$3.21 billion. This figure represents the highest level recorded for the same period over the past five years, reflecting a growing confidence from international investors in Vietnam’s economic landscape.
On March 6, the Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance released data from the Foreign Investment Agency, revealing that total registered foreign investment in Vietnam stood at approximately US$6.03 billion as of February 28. This marks a decrease of 12.6% compared to the same period last year, a development that invites further analysis in the context of global investment trends.
A closer look at the newly registered investments highlights a positive momentum. In the initial two months of 2026, Vietnam saw 620 licensed projects, with total registered capital reaching US$3.54 billion. This represents a year-on-year increase of 20.2% in the number of projects and a striking 61.5% uptick in registered capital. Such growth illustrates the robust interest in Vietnam as a viable investment destination.
The manufacturing and processing sector emerged as the clear leader in attracting foreign investment, claiming a substantial US$2.63 billion—about 74.3% of the total newly licensed foreign capital. This trend underscores Vietnam’s favorable positioning as a manufacturing hub, supported by its competitive labor costs and improving infrastructure.
In addition to manufacturing, the wholesale and retail sector, including activities related to the repair of automobiles, motorcycles, and motorbikes, garnered US$358.6 million, or 10.1% of the total. Other sectors followed with a combined capital of US$550.5 million, accounting for 15.6% of newly registered investment. This diverse sectoral representation is indicative of the multi-faceted nature of investment interest in the region.
When it comes to sources of this foreign investment, South Korea led the charge with an impressive US$1.34 billion, making up 37.8% of the total newly registered capital. Following closely was Singapore, investing US$1.1 billion (31.1%), and China with US$522.8 million (14.8%). Japan also made notable contributions with US$171 million (4.8%), highlighting the region’s strategic economic relationships.
Other countries contributing to Vietnam’s investment landscape included Hong Kong (China) at US$143 million (4%), the United States at US$85.6 million (2.4%), and Samoa with US$68.7 million (1.9%). This array of investors underscores the global interest in Vietnam and its myriad opportunities for foreign stakeholders.
Geographically, Thai Nguyen province stood out as a top destination for newly registered FDI, attracting over US$1.3 billion in the first two months of 2026. Ha Tinh followed with more than US$411 million. Although Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City attracted a significant number of projects—104 and 328, respectively—their newly registered capital was relatively lower at approximately US$337 million and US$286 million. This variance highlights regional disparities in investment appeal across the country.
The adjusted capital also reflects notable activity, with 180 previously licensed projects registering additional investments totaling US$1.99 billion. However, this marks a significant decline of 52.3% compared to the same timeframe last year, an indicator that may warrant deeper investigation to understand the underlying factors impacting continued foreign capital reinvestment.
Overall, the implemented FDI in Vietnam during these initial months of 2026 reached an estimated US$3.21 billion, an increase of 8.8% year-on-year and the highest figure recorded for this period in five years. Among these, the manufacturing and processing sector notably accounted for US$2.65 billion, or 82.7% of the total implemented FDI. Notably, real estate activities attracted US$223.5 million (7%), while essential sectors like electricity generation and distribution also made their mark with US$119.2 million (3.7%).
The data highlights Vietnam’s potential for sustained economic growth through foreign direct investment, showcasing its strategic sectors and the increasing involvement of global investors.
Nguyen Le