Vietnam’s Booming Foreign Investment: A 2025 Overview
Vietnam’s Surging Foreign Direct Investment
Foreign investment in Vietnam has seen remarkable growth, with over $26 billion flowing into the country in the first eight months of 2025. This figure represents an impressive increase of more than 27% compared to the same period last year. The surge reflects a strong confidence among investors in Vietnam’s economic potential, governance, and business environment.
New Projects and Sectors of Interest
According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam welcomed a total of 2,534 new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects during the first eight months—a rise of 12.6% year-on-year. However, the newly registered capital witnessed a slight decline, slipping by approximately 8% and amounting to just over $11 billion. The processing and manufacturing sector emerged as the front-runner, attracting about $6.53 billion, which accounted for nearly 60% of the total FDI. Following closely was the real estate sector, which lured in $2.37 billion.
Adjusted Capital and Share Purchases
In terms of ongoing projects, the adjusted capital for 996 projects rose significantly to $10.65 billion—a staggering 86% increase year-on-year, highlighting the confidence of existing investors in Vietnam. Additionally, there were nearly 2,250 capital contributions and share purchases, totaling almost $4.46 billion, marking a 59% hike from the previous year. Out of these transactions, 882 were aimed at enhancing companies’ charter capital, while 1,363 cases, valued at $2.85 billion, did not involve such adjustments.
FDI Disbursement Patterns
Disbursement of foreign direct investment reached an estimated $15.4 billion in this period, indicating an 8.8% increase year-on-year. Notably, the manufacturing and processing sector dominated this area, constituting almost $12.6 billion—roughly 82% of the total disbursement. The real estate sector followed, contributing $1.24 billion, equivalent to 8%, while investments in electricity and gas sectors brought in around $563.6 million, representing 3.7%.
Leading Investor Nations
Vietnam’s investment landscape is diverse, with contributions from 78 countries and territories in the first eight months. Singapore emerged as the leading source of FDI, investing just over $3 billion, which comprises nearly 28% of the newly registered capital. China followed closely with approximately $2.65 billion, around 24%. Sweden, Japan, and regions such as Hong Kong and Taiwan also made significant contributions, signifying a broad-based interest in Vietnam as a favorable investment destination.
Outbound Investments on the Rise
While inbound investments are noteworthy, Vietnam’s outbound investments have seen a remarkable trajectory as well. During the same period, Vietnam established 108 newly licensed projects with a total registered capital of $426.5 million—up by approximately 190% year-on-year. Additionally, 21 projects involving capital adjustments added almost $130 million to the tally. Overall, the total outbound investment in Vietnam reached over $556 million in the first eight months, nearly four times higher than the previous year.
Sector-Specific Investments
Key sectors in Vietnam’s outbound investments included the production and distribution of electricity, gas, and related services, amounting to more than $111 million—20% of the total. Transportation and warehousing followed closely with $109 million, while the wholesale and retail trade sectors contributed $78.6 million, or 14%. This diversification in investment demonstrates Vietnam’s holistic approach to economic growth and expansion.
By examining these trends, one can glean valuable insights into Vietnam’s evolving economic landscape, characterized by robust growth and dynamic shifts driven by foreign investments. The country not only attracts substantial foreign capital but also showcases a remarkable increase in outbound investments, positioning itself as a pivotal player on the global investment stage.