Resilience of Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam: A 2025 Overview
Vietnam’s economic landscape has continued to thrive against global uncertainties, particularly in the realm of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In 2025, the total newly registered capital in FDI reached an impressive $38.42 billion, marking a 0.5% increase from the previous year. These figures were recently announced by the National Statistics Office (NSO) during a press conference detailing the socio-economic performance of the country for the fourth quarter and the entirety of 2025.
Significant Increases in Disbursed FDI
One of the key highlights from the NSO report is the notable rise in disbursed FDI, which reached approximately $27.62 billion—a substantial 9% year-on-year increase. This represents the highest disbursement level recorded over the past five years, showcasing Vietnam’s growing attractiveness as a destination for foreign investment. The ability to convert new capital into real economic activity is crucial, and these figures suggest that foreign investors are increasingly confident in the Vietnamese market.
A Boom in New Projects
The year 2025 also saw the registration of over 4,000 new FDI projects with a cumulative registered capital of $17.32 billion. A significant portion of this investment is directed toward the manufacturing and processing sector, which attracted nearly $10 billion of the total new FDI. This trend underscores Vietnam’s strategic positioning as a manufacturing hub within Southeast Asia, offering competitive advantages such as a young labor force and favorable trade agreements.
Leading Investors and Partnerships
Among the 90 countries and territories that initiated FDI projects in Vietnam during 2025, Singapore stood out as the largest investor, contributing $4.84 billion. This was closely followed by China, Hong Kong, and Japan. The diverse origin of these investments reflects Vietnam’s global economic connectivity and the growing trust foreign investors have in its growth potential.
Trade Performance and Economic Influence
Vietnam’s trade statistics for 2025 were equally impressive, with total trade reaching $930.05 billion, a remarkable 18.2% increase compared to the previous year. The country also achieved a trade surplus of $20.03 billion, demonstrating a healthy balance in its trade dynamics. Notably, 36 product categories each surpassed $1 billion in export revenue, contributing to 94% of total exports. Furthermore, eight categories exceeded $10 billion, representing 70.2% of the export outlook.
Major Trading Partners
The United States has solidified its position as Vietnam’s most significant export market, with imports totaling $153.2 billion. Conversely, China remains the largest supplier to Vietnam, with imports valued at $186 billion. This bilateral trade relationship is vital for both nations, with Vietnam benefiting from China’s extensive supply chain while providing the U.S. market with a wide array of products.
Conclusion
As Vietnam navigates the complexities of the global economy, the resilience seen in its FDI inflows and trade performance serves as a testament to its growing status as an investment destination. The country’s ability to attract significant foreign investment and achieve remarkable trade figures highlights its potential for economic growth and stability in the years to come.