Registered FDI in Vietnam posts highest ever growth of 32%
Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam reached $36.6 billion this year through December 20, up 32.1% year-on-year, the highest ever growth, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
The total registered FDI included registered capital for new projects, additional capital for ongoing projects and capital contribution for stake acquisitions.
About $20.19 billion was pledged for 3,188 new projects, up 62.2% year-on-year in value; $7.88 billion was added to 1,262 existing projects, down 22.1%; and 3,451 capital contribution transactions worth over $8.5 billion were made, up 65.7%.
The disbursement of FDI capital grew 3.5% year-on-year to $23.18 billion, the ministry reported.

Lotte Mall West Lake Hanoi, launched on July 28, 2023. Photo courtesy of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper.
Among sectors, manufacturing-processing topped the registered FDI chart with $23.5 billion, or 64.2% of the total, up 39.9% year-on-year.
Other leading sectors were real estate with $4.67 billion, or 12.7% of the total; production and distribution of electricity, water, gas and air conditioning with $2.37 billion; and banking-finance-insurance with $1.56 billion.
Singapore was the biggest investor with $6.8 billion, or 18.6% of the total, up 5.4% year-on-year; followed by Japan with $6.57 billion, up 37.3%; Hong Kong with $4.68 billion, up 110.6%; mainland China with $4.47 billion, up 77.6%; South Korea with $4.4 billion, down 9.8%; and Taiwan with $2.88 billion, up 113.4%.

The leading FDI recipient in the period was Ho Chi Minh City with $5.85 billion, up 48.5% year-on-year. This included $4.29 billion in capital contributions and stake acquisitions, $964.9 million in additional capital for existing projects, and $598.3 million in registered capital for new projects.
Coming second was the northern port city of Hai Phong with $3.26 billion, up 66.2% year-on-year. Other top destinations were also in the north: Quang Ninh province with $3.11 billion, up 31.3%; Bac Giang province with $3.02 billion, up 148.3%; Thai Binh province with $2.79 billion, up 806%; Hanoi with $2.73 billion, up 60.2%; and Bac Ninh province with $1.77 billion, down 21.1%.
As of December 20, Vietnam had 39,140 valid FDI projects with a total registered capital of $468.9 billion. Its FDI disbursement reached $297.2 billion, or 63.4% of the total.
- Read More
Thailand, Australia boost ties in transport, logistics
Thailand and Australia are seeking to strengthen cooperation in transport infrastructure and carbon emission reduction in the logistics sector.
Southeast Asia - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 8:20 pm GMT+7
China surpasses US as biggest importer of Vietnamese shrimp
China imported $834 million worth of Vietnamese shrimp last year, surpassing the U.S. to become the largest buyer of this item from Vietnam, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Economy - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 7:51 pm GMT+7
Malaysia, S Korea resume FTA talks
Malaysia and South Korea are set to hold their seventh round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) as they look to expand their trade portfolio and strengthen cooperation, according to the latter's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Southeast Asia - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 5:23 pm GMT+7
Indonesia to launch new sovereign wealth fund this month
Indonesia will launch a new sovereign wealth fund called Danantara this month, with an initial capital of around $20 billion.
Southeast Asia - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 5:19 pm GMT+7
Singapore's Billion Union builds $70 mln fabric factory in Vietnam
Hong Kong-invested Thanh Hoa Billion Union Textile kicked off the construction of a $70 million factory in Vietnam’s central province of Thanh Hoa on Monday.
Industries - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 5:04 pm GMT+7
Vietnam’s construction ministry plans real estate exchanges for improved transparency
The Vietnamese Ministry of Construction is advancing a plan to establish real estate exchanges, similar to the stock market, in a bid to enhance transparency and efficiency in property transactions.
Real Estate - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 4:57 pm GMT+7
Vietnam plans to increase electricity imports from China, Laos by 2030
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) aims to raise electricity imports from China and Laos by 3,000 MW and 2,500 MW by 2030, over 5 times and nearly 1.6 times higher than those stated in the current Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII), respectively.
Energy - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 4:14 pm GMT+7
Vietnam urges Turkish contractor to speed up mega Long Thanh airport's terminal construction
Türkiye-based IC ICTAS, the lead contractor of the passenger terminal within the under-construction Long Thanh International Airport, should speed up the construction of the package, said Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.
Infrastructure - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 3:27 pm GMT+7
Vietnam tech giant FPT to provide high-quality AI human resources
With the groundbreaking of an inter-level school on Sunday, FPT Corporation is completing its education system from elementary to university levels in the south-central province of Binh Dinh, to provide high-quality human resources, particularly in AI.
Companies - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 11:32 am GMT+7
Japan pneumatics firm SMC to start $330 mln Vietnam expansion from July
SMC Manufacturing Vietnam, under Japanese pneumatic instrument producer SMC, aims to start its $330 million expansion in Vietnam from July.
Industries - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 10:47 am GMT+7
Institutional breakthroughs to provide solid foundation for heightened business confidence: economists
At a meeting of the National Assembly's Economic Committee in early February, the government proposed the 2025 GDP growth be "8% or more", instead of 6.5-7% set last November. The Investor introduces opinions of some leading Vietnamese economists on this proposed target.
Economy - Mon, February 17, 2025 | 8:02 am GMT+7
Vietnam consumer credit enters new growth cycle
After the decrease in consumer capital demand, negative growth, and peaking bad debts in 2023, Vietnam’s consumer financial market is entering a new growth cycle, backed by positive signs from the macroeconomic environment.
Finance - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 3:19 pm GMT+7
Vietnam property investors seek new opportunities in provincial markets
Real estate investors in Vietnam, both individuals and organizations, are shifting their investments from city centers to suburban regions and neighboring provinces where land remains abundant and significant investments are being made in infrastructure, particularly in transportation.
Real Estate - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7
Five Vietnam pilgrimage destinations perfect for spiritual seekers: Booking.com
Booking.com, the world's leading digital travel company, has suggested some destinations in Vietnam for those seeking spiritual enrichment and a chance for reflection and connection, including Ba Den mountain and Bai Dinh pagoda.
Travel - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:59 am GMT+7
Malaysia takes the lead in data center development
Malaysia is making efforts to align with the global trend towards digitalization, which is driving demand for data centers, cloud computing, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI).
Southeast Asia - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:57 am GMT+7
WB sees Thai fiscal risks mounting due to spending surge
Thailand’s pursuit of an expansionary fiscal policy strategy to propel growth faces the risk of rising costs for elderly care, investment and the need to keep public debt level to sustainable levels, according to the World Bank.
Southeast Asia - Sun, February 16, 2025 | 10:41 am GMT+7
- Infrastructure